NEW DELHI, April 30 (UPI) -- India has said it needs more fast-breeder nuclear reactors to meet its energy needs.
"India has a lot of potential in the field of nuclear energy and the efficiency of operation of its nuclear power plants are comparable to the best in the world," said R. Chidambaram, principal scientific adviser to the federal government.
He said India should move toward using more fast-breeder reactors and thorium-based reactors considering that it has the world's largest reserves of thorium.
"We can become a global leader in this (nuclear energy) field," he said.
Chidambaram said all research and development should be related to the needs of industry, the requirements of what the country considers as critical technologies and for the benefit of society.
Chidambaram, The Hindu newspaper said Monday, was addressing post-graduate engineers at a seminar.
"We have to make technology choices, and this requires technology foresight. The critical technologies for India includes, in my opinion nuclear, space and defense related; advance manufacturing and process technology, biotechnology and nanotechnology, and technologies needed for small and medium enterprises and for rural development," he said.
