India's atomic energy program has achieved a major milestone with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, receiving approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to begin loading nuclear fuel and initiate a controlled chain reaction. Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Chairman of the AERB, hailed the PFBR as an inherently safe reactor and a significant step in India's self-reliant atomic energy program. This development marks the use of plutonium as a nuclear fuel and the initial steps towards utilizing thorium. With limited uranium reserves but abundant thorium, India is advancing complex technology to harness thorium, potentially ensuring energy independence for over three centuries.

The PFBR, a 500 MW sodium-cooled reactor, has been under development for 20 years, with costs rising from an initial ?5,677 crore to ?6,840 crore. Fully designed and constructed indigenously, the PFBR represents the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, involving contributions from over 200 Indian industries. Once operational, India will become the second country after Russia with a commercially operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

Fast Breeder Reactors produce more fuel than they consume using fast neutrons. The PFBR will initially use Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, with plans to use Thorium-232 to create fissile Uranium-233 for the third stage of India's nuclear program. This technology reduces nuclear waste and is comparable in cost to other nuclear and conventional power plants. The PFBR's approval marks India's entry into the second stage of its atomic energy program, paving the way for sustainable energy development and security.

India's atomic energy program has achieved a major milestone with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, receiving approval from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to begin loading nuclear fuel and initiate a controlled chain reaction. Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Chairman of the AERB, hailed the PFBR as an inherently safe reactor and a significant step in India's self-reliant atomic energy program. This development marks the use of plutonium as a nuclear fuel and the initial steps towards utilizing thorium. With limited uranium reserves but abundant thorium, India is advancing complex technology to harness thorium, potentially ensuring energy independence for over three centuries.

The PFBR, a 500 MW sodium-cooled reactor, has been under development for 20 years, with costs rising from an initial ?5,677 crore to ?6,840 crore. Fully designed and constructed indigenously, the PFBR represents the spirit of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, involving contributions from over 200 Indian industries. Once operational, India will become the second country after Russia with a commercially operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

Fast Breeder Reactors produce more fuel than they consume using fast neutrons. The PFBR will initially use Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, with plans to use Thorium-232 to create fissile Uranium-233 for the third stage of India's nuclear program. This technology reduces nuclear waste and is comparable in cost to other nuclear and conventional power plants. The PFBR's approval marks India's entry into the second stage of its atomic energy program, paving the way for sustainable energy development and security.