Public acceptance critical for nuclear capacity addition: IAEA chief

Winning back confidence in nuclear power after Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident in March difficult, but will require unwavering commitment to safety

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Yukiya Amano said on Monday public awareness was important to ensure nuclear power projects do not face opposition. He acknowledged the concerns and opposition to nuclear power capacity addition.

“Public acceptance is also an important issue. I know this has been a concern in India, as in other countries, and that there have been demonstrations against the construction of new nuclear power plants,” Amano said in Mumbai at an event organised by the Indian Nuclear Society.

Winning peoples’ confidence in nuclear power after the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011 in Japan will take time, he said, but it will also require commitment to safety, and transparency by operators, regulators and governments. To a question on protests against Kudankulam and Jaitapur nuclear projects, Amano said there was a need for sharing of information to ensure safety.

At an interaction with a select group of journalists later, Amano said a meeting of ministers was being held on July 1 to discuss the growing danger of nuclear terrorism. “IAEA has data of 2000 cases of illicit transfer of radioactive and fissile materials. This is a matter of serious concern as it will lead to nuclear terrorism.”