PM Modi to Witness Core Loading of Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam on Monday

Defense News ,India :-  In a groundbreaking event for India's nuclear power initiative, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to witness the commencement of core loading for India's 500 MW indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). Constructed by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited) in Kalpakkam, approximately 70 km from Chennai, the historic event is scheduled for Monday. Modi is expected to arrive in Chennai around 1445 hrs and proceed to Kalpakkam, where he will tour the PFBR facility from 1530 hrs to 1615 hrs.

Following the visit, the Prime Minister will return to Chennai to address a public meeting of the BJP at YMCA Nandanam grounds before departing for Telangana later in the evening. According to an official release on Sunday evening, the reactor core comprises control sub-assemblies, blanket sub-assemblies, and fuel sub-assemblies.

The core loading process involves the sequential loading of reactor control sub-assemblies, followed by blanket sub-assemblies and fuel sub-assemblies, which will ultimately generate power. India has embraced a three-stage nuclear power program featuring a closed fuel cycle. In the PFBR, representing the program's second stage, spent fuel from the initial stage is reprocessed and utilized as fuel in the Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR).

An exceptional characteristic of this sodium-cooled PFBR is its ability to produce more fuel than it consumes, contributing to self-reliance in future fast reactor fuel supply. With minimized nuclear waste production and advanced safety features, FBRs promise a secure, efficient, and environmentally friendly energy source, aligning with the objective of achieving net-zero emissions.

This marks a significant stride for India towards thorium utilization in the third stage of the nuclear power program. Once operational, India will become the second country, after Russia, to operate a commercially viable Fast Reactor, as indicated in the official release.