India enters advanced nuclear reactor league with PFBR milestone: Report
New Delhi, May 23
India has moved a significant step closer towards long-term energy self-sufficiency after its indigenously developed 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu achieved criticality -- a stage at which a nuclear reactor attains a controlled and self-sustaining chain reaction for the first time, a report said.
According to an analysis by Business Report, the milestone marks India's entry into an elite group of nations possessing advanced fast breeder reactor technology, with Russia being the only other country operating commercial fast breeder reactors.
The achievement is being viewed as a major breakthrough in India's three-stage nuclear power programme envisioned by nuclear scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha, often regarded as the architect of the country's nuclear strategy, it said.
The PFBR has been designed to generate more fuel than it consumes by using plutonium-based fuel and breeding additional fissile material, thereby strengthening India's long-term energy security prospects.
In addition, the reactor's criticality signals India's transition into the second stage of its nuclear programme.
In the first stage, natural uranium is used as fuel in nuclear reactors, producing plutonium as a by-product.
The second stage involves using this plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), according to the report.
The Kalpakkam reactor is expected to play a key role in developing Uranium-233 from thorium, paving the way for the third stage of the programme where India aims to utilise its vast thorium reserves for large-scale power generation.
Moreover, India possesses some of the world's largest thorium reserves, while its uranium resources remain relatively limited.
The report highlighted that thorium-based energy generation could potentially meet the country's power needs for several hundred years.
The development is also expected to support India's clean energy transition and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070 under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
As of now, the country's nuclear power generation capacity stands at 8.78 GW, contributing nearly 3 per cent of the country's electricity output.
With indigenous 700 MW reactors and upcoming international collaborations involving 1,000 MW reactors, India's installed nuclear capacity is projected to rise to 22.38 GW by 2031-32, according to the report.
— IANS
Reader Comments
While the science is impressive, we need to think about safety and waste management. PFBRs use plutonium, which is dangerous. I hope the regulators are up to the mark. Good news, but vigilance is non-negotiable.
22.38 GW by 2031-32 sounds ambitious. Hope the nuclear projects don’t get delayed like big infrastructure usually does. But kudos to BARC and the team at Kalpakkam for reaching criticality during challenging times. Truly world-class work! 🇮🇳
This is what we need more of—homegrown technology. For too long, we've relied on imports for energy transitions. If we can master thorium in stage three, we will be a global leader. But let’s also not forget the local communities near Kalpakkam—better compensation and facilities.
Every time I read about our nuclear programme, I think of the scientists who worked tirelessly in secrecy over decades. This is a big win for Atmanirbhar Bharat. Let’s hope the speed increases—3% of electricity from nuclear is too low for a growing economy. 🚀
Good news, but I worry about proliferation risks. India has a strong non-proliferation record though, and this is for peaceful energy. Also, the economics of fast breeders need to work—capital costs are high. Let’s see if tariffs remain affordable for the common man.
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