For too long has the presidential address at the commencement of new Lok Sabha terms been seen as glorified versions of the ruling incumbents' electoral manifesto. More of declarations and declamations, which do give the ruling coalition's postures on domestic and international affairs, but not a definitive programme. In reverse, the address by President Pratibha Patil gives a studied, well-worked out national programme for the five year term of the new UPA II, Manmohan Singh government.

No doubt, it is an ambitious programme difficult to realize. From massive succour of 25 kg rice at Rs 3 per kg to the weaker sections of the populace, to universal secondary education, a big jack-up of the economy, new job-creation in millions, infrastructure development, financial reforms, and a big addendum in energy capacity of 13,000 MW each year. It is this last item - the energy sector - that has to be the core of the UPA government's upward leap. If India is able to add as much as 12000 to 13000 MW energy capacity each year, it will boost industry and agriculture, which in turn will provide the financial sinews for achieving other goals - education, infrastructure and health.

The focus must therefore be on an all-out bid to crack the energy security target - an addition each year of 12,000 to 13,000 MW new electricity generation capacity by a mix of nuclear, hydro, coal, gas and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. It is now time to bring the new civil nuclear energy accord negotiated with the United States and the international community into full play. As a consequence, nuclear power is going to play a key role in achieving the nation's energy security.

The nuclear scenario is in fact already beginning to unfold. The general view is that the international civil nuclear accord is good but too many expectations should not be placed on the benefits that are going to accrue on the ground. But actually, the bonanza that the Vienna NSG treaty and the 123 Agreement with the US are going to deliver are even bigger than originally expected. Contrary to apprehensions, the nuclear world seeks to embrace India and all facets of nuclear technology instruments are now within reach of the Indian nuclear establishment.

The most vital requisite from India's point of view - uranium - is being offered in abundance by over half a dozen countries, and fresh supplies, a 500-tonne consignment from France, are already beginning to land. With Russia, a deal for 2000 tonnes of uranium has been initialed. Kazakhstan, having the world's second largest uranium reserves, Canada - another large uranium reservoir - South Africa and other African states with ample uranium reserves, have offered India the nuclear fuel that has been the prime bottle-neck in Indian indigenous nuclear power capacity build-up. Global recession has come as a help and uranium prices that at one time were escalating sky-high, have been cut down and ample supplies are being offered to India from diverse sources.

This means that Indian indigenous nuclear power capacity can be given a big push - as big a push as financial and scientific manpower resources can sustain. After the two 540 MW Tarapur 3 and 4 reactors working on optimum power yield, the next round of Indian nuclear reactors are to be escalated - of 700 MW capacity. Additional indigenous pressurized heavy water design, natural uranium fuelled, reactors of 4200 MW capacity is being mapped out. Further on, as the 500 MW prototype FBR under construction at Kalpakkam nears completion, a second round of FBRs mapping and construction can be launched. With ample uranium supplies assured, the Indian nuclear horizon for the next several decades can be given shape.

An important feature of the new style of nuclear interaction between India and advanced nuclear capability nations, visible in the round of accords with France, Russia, US and Canada, is that these are not just commercial accords. These nuclear cooperation agreements will be spread out to technology interaction and exchange of experience on advanced nuclear developments of these countries.

Global economic recession is also having a healthy impact for India in regard to imported advanced light water technology reactors - from France, Russia, America and joint US-Japan sources. These are being offered at competitive terms. While the indigenous reactor build up programme must naturally receive preference, the time span of construction requires a one-time stop gap import of 30,000 MW to 40,000 MW capacity advanced light water reactors to be in place during the decade ahead. The financial resources that would be needed are not beyond India's means since the impact will be spread out over the next decade and global recession will enable India to extract the most favourable terms.

The Indian nuclear establishment is already mapping out the new scenario and broad configuration has been made of nuclear power projects, indigenous as well as imported advanced reactors, needed for the country's energy security. The UPA government has now to take charge, finalize the plans, and push the 'go' button. This has to be both in respect to indigenous capability as well as for finalizing advanced reactor imports.

In the aftermath of a round of international discussions, as much as 40,000 MW advanced light water reactors have been offered by France, Russia, US-Japan. It might be desirable to clinch 20,000 MW capacity reactors in the first round and leave additional imports for future assessments. Since nuclear reactor technology is time consuming, early decision making and timely implementation are essential for their success and immediate impact.

Along with nuclear power, it is necessary to give a big push to solar power generation. High costs of solar power instrumentation - the main impediment of a large solar power programme - should be reduced by over-arching technology research and development from all sources. The nuclear establishment is working in this direction, Dr Anil Kakodkar, chairman AEC recently disclosed.

In a recent interview, Dr Kakodkar said: “Our capability for high temperature heat removal using natural circulation, and also capabilities in control and instrumentation, have been used for the design of a solar thermal power generation set-up.” The costs of solar power generation will thereby be reduced, making larger solar power generation commercially feasible - especially in remote areas where no other electricity generation source is realizable as of now. A big push is also necessary to wind power generation by inducting technology from all sources.

These three sources, nuclear, solar and wind power - incidentally the cleanest energy sources with zero CO2 emission - can together meet a big chunk of the additional annual 13000 MW electricity capacity that the Manmohan Singh government wishes to build. Rough estimates are that more than half - say 8000 MW - of fresh electricity capacity can be contributed by clean nuclear, solar and wind power. A big effort will no doubt be necessary for achieving this goal, but it is absolutely incumbent. More so because we thereby simultaneously enhance realization of another major national goal - fighting environmental pollution. The remaining additional power generation capacity can come with relative ease from other sources - hydel and coal/gas based thermal projects. (IPA Service)