Nikolay Ponomaryov-Stepnoy, vice president of Kurchatov Institute

— Development of nuclear energy is inevitable way for India

Development of nuclear energy is an inevitable way for India, and other powerful states. Otherwise, they will not be able to ensure their energy security. For Russia, this is a huge, immense market, where we must have the biggest offer.

India is in the vanguard of the world movement for the development of nuclear energy and the construction of Kudankulam NPP is the best proof of that. By 2025 India is planning to increase the total capacity of its nuclear power plants to 40GW. Presently, India has the world’s second biggest demand for new NPPs. The country’s electric networks cover just 80% of its territories. India has little oil and gas and is forced to develop nuclear energy. The country has created a cycle including prospecting, mining and processing of nuclear materials and production of fuel elements for nuclear reactors. India has excellent specialists and has built lots of nuclear facilities. I think that Kudankulam NPP will become one of the most powerful plants in the country. This is very important for India and its plans to overcome energy shortfalls.

However, each medal has two sides. Even though India is showing remarkable results in the development of peaceful atom, it may fail to launch Kudankulam in time.