Indigenous fast breeder reactor set to become critical: AEC chief

MUMBAI: In the 70th year of its formation, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) will cross an important milestone with India’s first 500MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) near Kalpakkam, close to Chennai, set to become critical.

Speaking on Monday at the 68th general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Ajit Kumar Mohanty, chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), said the reactor is undergoing core loading which will pave the way for first approach to criticality.

Mohanty underscored that the PFBR is based on closed-fuel cycle, which is the cornerstone of India’s nuclear programme. The reactor is expected to go into operation in Dec, according to information from several sources.

Referring to capacity addition, Mohanty told the delegates that the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has begun commercial operation of two units of the indigenous 700MW pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat in the last one year.

“Also, initial fuel loading is complete in another unit of 700MW PHWR at Rajasthan Atomic Power Station,” he said, adding that towards strengthening the fuel supply chain, a green field nuclear fuel complex at Kota in Rajasthan has now entered an advanced commissioning stage, which will mainly cater to the requirement of the forthcoming fleet of indigenously built PHWRs.

“As India sets its path to establish itself as a developed nation (Viksit Bharat), the govt of India envisages a significantly greater role for nuclear energy in the next two decades to meet the dual challenges of energy security and balancing climate goals,” Mohanty said.

In pursuit of this goal, the govt recently said it will partner with the private sector in developing and setting up compact nuclear reactors — Bharat Small Reactors — which will generate electricity on a smaller scale and have the advantage of being set up faster and be cost-effective, too.

Mohanty told the conference that the Heavy Water Board (HWB) is exporting heavy water to several countries for non-power applications, including medical applications and healthcare.

“At the dawn of the new era of nuclear renaissance, India stands ready to partner with the agency (IAEA) and other like-minded member states to harness the potential of nuclear energy and contribute to a future defined by growth, innovation, and energy security,” Mohanty said.

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