Introduction of Nuclear Power Plants to Sri Lanka: National Growth and Security Perspectives
Abstract
Nuclear technology is a vibrant
application in the power and energy sector all
over the world. At present more than 450 nuclear
power plants (NPP) are contributing more than
one-tenth of electricity generation all over the
world. However, few concerned the use of NPP as
their power source. Being a developing country,
the energy demand in Sri Lanka is everincreasing. Frequent power crises highlight the
necessity of having reliable power sources to
cater the base load of the country comfortably to
achieve the national growth of the country.
Nuclear power can be considered as one such
alternative to introduce electricity mix for Sri
Lanka. Other than the higher capital cost and
complexity of technology, the nuclear safety, and
security aspects are the other main concerns
which negate the nuclear favour. Energy security
is an element of national security and a prerequisite of the development process of a country
due to the nexus between national security and
national growth.