India is planning a 15-fold increase in its civilian nuclear power programme in the next two decades, the UN's nuclear watchdog said on Thursday. In its latest report titled 'Year in Review 2008', the International Atomic Energy Agency said while no new reactors came online anywhere last year, construction started on 10 new sites. Six of the 10 construction sites were in China. This is the largest number in any one year since 1985, bringing the total number being built to 44. At the end of last year, 438 nuclear power reactors were supplying roughly 14 per cent of the world's electricity.
Expansion prospects continue to be centred in Asia, with over half of the reactors under construction in the region, especially in China and India, Vienna-based
The report will be discussed by member states at the IAEA's annual General Conference this September. "While every country has the right to use nuclear power as an energy source, it also has the responsibility to ensure that this energy source is employed in a safe and secure manner," it said, adding that it received a large number of requests last year from countries considering the nuclear energy option for assistance in analysing energy options.
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