India's First Indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) Attains Criticality at Kalpakkam

Key facts

• The first indigenous 500-megawatt electric (MWe) Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, has attained criticality.
• Criticality signifies the initiation of a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction, a vital milestone before full power generation.
• The reactor is a key component of the second stage of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) three-stage nuclear power programme.
• The project is managed by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI), which was incorporated in 2003 to build and operate the reactor.
• Upon commissioning, India will be the second country after Russia to have a commercial operating FBR.
• The FBR uses uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel surrounded by a Uranium 238 (U238) blanket that undergoes nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel.
• The first stage of the nuclear programme involves Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium and heavy water (deuterium oxide) as coolant and moderator.
• India currently has an installed atomic power capacity of 8,180 MWe through the first stage PHWRs.
• The third stage of the programme aims to utilise thorium reserves found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.