Among thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity Nuclear power stands fourth biggest source of electricity in India.

 

Almost 442 nuclear reactors exist in the world and many are under construction too.

 

Our country has 6 nuclear power plants that contain 20 operative nuclear reactors, which generate energy of 4,780 MW. Also 5 more nuclear plants are still under construction which will be generating 2,720 MW additionally.

 

By the end of year 2032 the total energy output from the nuclear power plants is expected to increase around 64,000 MW. The plan is to utilize nuclear energy for 25% of the total energy supply till the year 2050.

 

India has 6 nuclear power plants situated in different locations of Karnataka, Gujarat,Tamil Nadu,Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.

 

Our country India is associated with the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER).European Union, United States, Japan, China,  South Korea, Russia and India are the countries that are involved in ITER.

 

India and the US signed the Indo – US nuclear deal on 18th July 2005. The treaty stated that United states will work towards entire civil Nuclear cooperation with India and in return

India will detach it’s military and civil nuclear accessories under IAEA( International Atomic Energy Agency) safeguards.

 

In Favor-

 

• Nuclear fission is the process of producing energy. The energy produced by nuclear fission is is 10 million times greater than the energy produced by by igniting an atom of fossil fuel or hydro or wind power

 

• Modes of energy production like by using fossil fuels,hydro or wind power plants a lot of pollutants are released which eventually causes global warming. In contrast, no greenhouse gasses are produced while producing nuclear energy.

 

• Energy production by burning fossil fuels causes production of harmful gasses like carbon-dioxide and carbon monoxide.

 

• Uranium is the main component of nuclear fission. Uranium is abundant in nature and can be extracted from the mines. And the uranium mines are assumed to exist for the next 100 years.

 

• Thus these fuels are much cheaper and can be easily transported.

 

• Nuclear power plants require very little time to generate a huge amount of energy.

 

• The waste products or the byproducts formed during the production of nuclear energy are comparatively much lesser than those by the other means.

 

• The non-renewable sources of energy like fossil fuels can be saved for future generations if their use as a source of energy production can be replaced by using nuclear energy.

 

In Against-

 

• Nuclear power plants are really hazardous.Till date 7 nuclear plants have been exploded which have caused huge loss to the lives. Like the Nuclear explosion of Chernobyl in 1986. In March 2011 in Japan,17 nuclear plants exploded due to the earthquake.

 

• Nuclear power plants emit several harmful radioactive radiations in the environment which cause harmful effects to human health.These radiations last for several thousand years remaining hazardous.

 

• Nuclear explosions, several thousand years ago at Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki,have it’s negative impacts even after several years. Radioactivity is still detected in soil,water,leafy veggies and also in the manpower working towards Nuclear reconstruction.

 

• This Nuclear energy can be misused by territorist as nuclear bombs which can cause huge destruction on a large scale.

 

• Nuclear reactors can remain for around 40-50 years.

 

• Although the waste products produced by nuclear reactors are very less, they are very harmful and difficult to store for long term.

 

• Nuclear power plants are very costly.

 

• Uranium is also a non renewal source of energy. If uranium is utilized completely it won’t be left for the future.

 

Conclusion-

 

Although Nuclear power plants produce more energy in short time intervals and even with lesser waste products as compared to the alternative sources of energy, it is really hazardous to mankind. One should never compromise for health. It’s better to be without power by keeping our health on stake. Technology is revolutionizing more and more but health should not be compromised. It’s the  need of the hour to work on other alternatives for energy production.