India to commission fast breeder reactor early next year
21 Feb 2012
India plans to commission a prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) early next year, which will see the second stage of its nuclear programme get under way.
The 500-MW reactor, under development at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, uses a unique uranium and plutonium mix that significantly enhances the capability to generate electricity per tonne of fuel utilised.
The PFBR which is at an advanced stage of construction under the aegis of the state-owned Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI) has been developed indigenously.
IGCAR director SC Chetal said in New Delhi yesterday, that the construction would be completed by September and fuel would be lowered by December. He said the commissioning was expected by early 2013.
The scientists at IGCAR had developed a technology that was unique and the Indian PFBR would be the first such nuclear plant to be commissioned. A number of other countries including Korea are also developing fast breeder reactors, but these would be commissioned only in 2025.
India plans to add at least five additional 500 MW fast breeder reactors by 2020, and two of these would come up at Kalpakkam.
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