10-31-2005, 01:28 AM
Myanmar did not become a client State of China on its own. It is the result of collective failure on our part since 1961 till 1990, to have Burma isolated and cut off from India. There is very large Chinese and Indian population in Myanmar. While, China handled the situation properly, we did the opposite which resulted in total lack of interaction between Govt of India and Burma. We need not get into that aspect here as it is a discussion on energy needs of India. I would just like to mention that no Islamic Zihadi disruption is expected from Myanmar in our lifetime.
With regard to the energy security for India, I would like to mention the following points for discussion. In 2002-03 the total installed capacity for generation of electricity was 125,600 MW out of which thermal was 78,300 MW and Hydel was 26,900 MW. In additon, 2700MW was produced by nuclear power plants. In the same year, India produced 29.4million tons of crude oil and imported 74.1 million tones of crude oil to meet its domestic requirements. During the same year it produced and consumed 28 billion cu meters of natural gas.
According to the experts, there is no possibility of any drastic increase in the production of crude oil or natural gas within the country as there may be very few undetected hydro carbon deposits in India. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to search for new and dependable sources of energy.
India should go in for at least 12 nuclear power stations of 2000 mw each, so that we can get sufficient power for our growing industrial needs. It should also go in for more hydro power, particularly in the Himalayan range so that there is always an alternative source of energy. In addition, several small steps need to be taken to ensure that energy is available to the rural people at affordable price. This can be achieved by intensive use of solar energy and bio gas, which can cater to the needs of lighting and cooking in the villages. If the quality and supply of electricity is improved in the cities, the general public will become less dependent of LPG and will change over to electricity for cooking.
With regard to the energy security for India, I would like to mention the following points for discussion. In 2002-03 the total installed capacity for generation of electricity was 125,600 MW out of which thermal was 78,300 MW and Hydel was 26,900 MW. In additon, 2700MW was produced by nuclear power plants. In the same year, India produced 29.4million tons of crude oil and imported 74.1 million tones of crude oil to meet its domestic requirements. During the same year it produced and consumed 28 billion cu meters of natural gas.
According to the experts, there is no possibility of any drastic increase in the production of crude oil or natural gas within the country as there may be very few undetected hydro carbon deposits in India. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to search for new and dependable sources of energy.
India should go in for at least 12 nuclear power stations of 2000 mw each, so that we can get sufficient power for our growing industrial needs. It should also go in for more hydro power, particularly in the Himalayan range so that there is always an alternative source of energy. In addition, several small steps need to be taken to ensure that energy is available to the rural people at affordable price. This can be achieved by intensive use of solar energy and bio gas, which can cater to the needs of lighting and cooking in the villages. If the quality and supply of electricity is improved in the cities, the general public will become less dependent of LPG and will change over to electricity for cooking.