In his address, Kalam said India needed to evolve a “comprehensive renewable energy policy for energy independence within a year”, with a strong emphasis on biofuels, wind and solar power, biomass energy and nuclear power.

Kalam called for energy independence by 2030 as the nation’s “first and highest priority” and outlined steps to increase efficiency and conservation, secure access to all available sources of energy and use new technology to develop diverse and reliable sustainable energy.

“For true energy independence, a major shift in the structure of energy sources from fossil to renewable energy sources is mandated,” he said.

Domestic power was a key area requiring development, according to Kalam, particularly in developing nuclear power generation capabilities.

He strongly advocated the use of Thorium nuclear reactors, citing their high efficiency, low waste and lack of military application as ideal attributes for realising self-reliance and responsibility in nuclear power generation.