Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor: India's first nuclear waste recycling project to generate electricity
The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), a milestone project for India's nuclear power development, is likely to be operational by next year, i.e. by September 2026. The project, set up at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, has the capacity to generate 500 MW of power. It will generate electricity by recycling nuclear waste.
This will be the first reactor in the country to use plutonium-based mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. It will be cooled by liquid sodium. Interestingly, this reactor will also reuse fuel from existing pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWR).
This project will implement the second phase of India's three-phase nuclear power plan. The ultimate objective of this plan is to generate long-term and affordable electricity by fully utilizing the uranium and thorium available in the country. In March 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the reactor vault and control room. Subsequently, in July 2024, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved fuel loading and testing. The project is being managed by the Indian Nuclear Power Corporation Limited (Bhavani) and designed by the Indira Gandhi Atomic Research Centre (IGCAR).
India's 'atomic energy mission'
Currently, India has a nuclear power generation capacity of 8.18 GW, with 7.30 GW projects under construction and 7.00 GW projects in the approval phase. The Central Government has set a target of generating 100 GW of power under the 'Nuclear Energy Mission'.
In the next stage
15.40 GW through foreign cooperation through NPCIL
17.60 gigawatts from light water reactors
3.80 gigawatts from Bhavini's PFBR series
Such growth is expected. In addition, small nuclear reactors and new technology projects in the private sector will also add to this.
Outline of the three-phase plan
1. First phase: Natural uranium-based power generation using PHWR.
2. Second stage: Recycling of plutonium fuel using PFBR.
3. Third stage: Fuel production from thorium-based reactors.
This project will be an important step towards India's nuclear energy self-reliance and green power generation.