Suresh Prabhu disfavours dependence on nuclear energy

"Nuclear, after Fukushima, I don't think we will be able to add substantial nuclear energy. We need to generate electricity, we can get more from renewables," the ex-Shiv Sena MP said.

Stressing on the need to be objective in thinking, Prabhu said nuclear power fails on all the three critical parameters of energy security as we depend on imported uranium, affordability and environmental issue.

Prabhu was speaking at the Indian Merchant Chambers (IMC) here on power sector problems and the steps needed to tackle them.

While he mentioned a string of solutions like improving evacuation of coal from interior areas, resurrecting the transmission and distribution systems, etc nuclear energy was missing from his list of solutions.

Shiv Sena has been vociferously opposing the construction of Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra's coastal Konkan belt which falls in Prabhu's former Lok Sabha constituency.

On the debt-ridden state electricity boards, whose total losses have touched over Rs 2,00,000 crore and banks have been forced to classify a significant amount as restructured assets, Prabhu said there is a need for another bailout for the sector from the government.

"We have to do the rescue, but rescue should be done in a way...Now that we will have to do it, it would be extremely difficult for SEBs to lose money again," he said.