0191 -9067/80/040373-02$02.00/0 Copyright ® 1980 SUNSAT Energy Council A REPORT OF THE MEETING ON SOLAR POWER SATELLITES IN BOMBAY HELD AT THE BOMBAY GYMKHANA ON AUGUST 8, 1979 RASHMIMAYUR Urban Development Institute, Bombay The Third World is moving towards a serious energy crisis as the cost of oil prices forces some countries out of the market and slows down progress in others. These countries cannot afford to wait very long. They must explore bio, solar and other sources of alternative energy. Among these alternatives, none is as attractive and powerful as the Solar Power Satellite because of its industrial applicability, perpetuity, and economy. For most of these countries, SPS may be a distant alternative and, if controlled by one or by a few countries, a frightening prospect. But if international control is assured, developing countries will have confidence in supporting it. The first conference on the concept of Solar Power Satellites and its relevance to developments in the Third World, particularly in India, was held at the Bombay Gymkhana in August, 1979. Approximately 250 eminent people attended, including businessmen, industrialists, and scientists. The author presented a short report on the concept of SPS and technological developments. A slide show followed which gave a visual representation of SPS. Overall enthusiasm was astonishing. Here are some of the conclusions of the conference: 1. Inasmuch as 90% of Third World countries are energy-deprived because of nonexistent energy sources or because of high market prices, it is important that they search for new and renewable sources of energy. 2. In this search, terrestrial and extra-terrestrial solar energy is indeed an important alternative. Vigorous efforts are being made to explore terrestrial solar energy in India, Argentina, Israel, and several other developing countries. 3. Even though the SPS alternative is known to only a few people in the Third World, research and development in this area would greatly benefit industrial development in Third World countries. In fact, very few significant alternatives can compare with SPS for Third World development. 4. On an average, except in the People’s Republic of China, the price per kilowatt hour of electricity in Asia is already 7 cents. It is estimated that it will be at least 25 cents by 1995. Thus, after the initial capital investment, SPS should be able to provide electricity at less than 50% of the projected price of conventionally generated electricity. This is the most favorable aspect of the SPS. 5. However, as usual, there were objections to the heavy investment required for SPS development. Most Third World countries do not have the surplus resources for the purpose. On the other hand, if the highly industrialized countries invest in this venture, the question is why should they share the benefits with the Third World countries?
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