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India's Fast Breeder Reactor Achieves Criticality, A Milestone in Nuclear Energy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that the indigenously designed Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam has attained criticality. This marks a defining step in the second stage of India's civil nuclear programme, showcasing the country's scientific and engineering prowess. The reactor, which produces more fuel than it consumes, is a crucial step towards utilizing India's vast thorium reserves in the third stage. Once operational, India will become only the second nation after Russia to operate a commercial Fast Breeder Reactor.

Key Points: India's Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor Attains Criticality

  • PFBR attains criticality
  • Produces more fuel than it consumes
  • Step towards using thorium reserves
  • Fully designed and built in India
  • Second country after Russia with commercial FBR
2 min read

Kalpakkam nuclear reactor reflects India's engineering enterprise: PM Modi​

PM Modi hails the criticality of India's indigenously built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, a major step in the nuclear power programme.

"A proud moment for India. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers. - Prime Minister Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, April 6

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed the country's scientists for indigenously designing and building the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.

The Prime Minister said that India has taken a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme.​

"The indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained criticality," he said.​

The Prime Minister added that this advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, reflects the depth of the country's scientific capability and the strength of our engineering enterprise. ​

PM Modi said that it is a decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves in the third stage of the programme.​

"A proud moment for India. Congratulations to our scientists and engineers," the Prime Minister said.​

In 2024, Prime Minister Modi witnessed the commencement of "core loading" at the 500 MWe PFBR unit in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. ​

During the visit, he toured the reactor vault and the control room and received a briefing on the facility's key features.​

Once operational, India will become the second country, after Russia, to operate a commercial Fast Breeder Reactor.​

Reflecting the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, the PFBR was fully designed and constructed indigenously by BHAVINI, with significant contributions from over 200 Indian industries, including micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).​

The reactor will initially use Uranium-Plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. The Uranium-238 "blanket" surrounding the fuel core undergoes nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, hence the designation "breeder." ​

The use of Thorium-232 as a blanket is also planned at this stage.​

"By transmutation, thorium will create fissile Uranium-233, which will be used as fuel in the third stage," the Prime Minister had stated. ​

The FBR thus functions as a stepping stone for the third stage of India's nuclear programme, facilitating the full utilisation of the country's abundant thorium reserves.​

India can also use thorium cycle-based processes to extract nuclear fuel. ​

This is of special significance to India's nuclear power generation strategy, as India has one of the world's largest thorium reserves, which could provide power for as long as 60,000 years.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who follows global energy trends, this is genuinely impressive. A breeder reactor that produces more fuel than it consumes is a game-changer for sustainable nuclear power. Kudos to the scientists at BHAVINI and all the MSMEs involved. The world should take note.
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Vikram M
Proud moment for Tamil Nadu and for India! Kalpakkam has been a hub of nuclear research for decades. Harnessing thorium is the key. With reserves for 60,000 years, we can finally move towards true energy independence. The engineers and scientists deserve all the credit.
R
Rohit P
This is fantastic news, but I hope equal focus and funding is given to renewable sources like solar and wind as well. A balanced energy portfolio is crucial. Also, utmost priority must be given to safety protocols and waste management. A great step, but let's be thorough.
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Priya S
Jai Vigyan! 🙏 This is what happens when we invest in our own people and institutions. Over 200 Indian industries contributed – that's real nation-building. My uncle worked on a component for this project as an MSME vendor. The sense of pride is unbelievable.
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Michael C
The strategic implication of this is huge. It reduces dependency on imported uranium and leverages domestic thorium. In the long run, this could make India's energy supply much more resilient and cost-effective. A brilliant piece of long-term planning and execution.

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