India to go for nuclear power, says Kalam

While addressing scientists in Greece, Kalam says energy independence is India's first and highest priority.

Asserting that energy independence is India's first and highest priority, President APJ Abdul Kalam on Friday said the country has to go in for nuclear power in a big way using thorium-based reactors.

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"Energy independence is India's first and highest priority. We are determined to achieve this by the year 2030 through three different sources -- renewable energy, electrical power from nuclear energy and hydro-power for the transportation sector," Kalam said addressing scientists of Greek's National Centre for Scientific Research Demokritos in Athens.

Pointing out that energy independence threw very important technological challenges to the world, Kalam told the scientists of Greece, a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, that there was a need for converting thorium into a fissile material using fast breeder technology.

"India has to go in for nuclear power generation in a big way using thorium-based reactors. Thorium, a non-fissile material is available in abundance in our country."

"Intensive research is essential for converting thorium for maximising its utilisation and generating electric power through thorium-based reactors," Kalam said.