It is learnt that Union Minister for Power, Manohar Lal Khattar on Monday reportedly asked the Goa government to undertake a feasibility study for setting up a nuclear-based power plant in the state in order to meet its growing demand and to reduce its 80 per cent dependence on the electricity imports. The state has reportedly agreed to consider the proposal. The question that arises is whether a small state like Goa really requires a nuclear-based power plant to meet its power requirement. In Goa there are fewer industries as compared to other states and the state relies largely on tourism for generating revenue. Having a nuclear plant in the state carries the possibility of great risk. An incident can devastate lives, livestock and landscape forever. Goa does not have the disaster-response capability to face such a calamity. In the Fukushima accident in 2011 at a nuclear plant in northern Japan, the tsunami waves generated by the main shock of an earthquake damaged the backup generators. Instead of nuclear energy Goa should go for solar energy. It is a renewable and sustainable energy source, offering numerous advantages and potential for various applications.
