The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Tamil Nadu nears operational status as regulatory approval is expected this week.
Kalpakkam Reactor Nears Fuel Loading
India’s most sophisticated nuclear facility, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is on the brink of a critical milestone — loading of nuclear fuel. After years of technical hurdles and delays, the reactor is now awaiting formal clearance from the atomic regulator to begin the process.
Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, revealed that a mechanical fault in the fuel transfer arm has been resolved, paving the way for the next steps.
What Is the PFBR & Why It Matters
- The PFBR is a 500 MW sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor, designed to use plutonium as fuel and eventually transition to thorium, a resource India holds in abundance
- It is central to India’s three-stage nuclear energy program, which aims to recycle spent fuel, reduce waste, and move toward long-term energy self-reliance
- Once fuel loading begins, the reactor is expected to achieve first criticality within six months, before gradually ramping up to full capacity.
Regulatory Approval & Safety Checks
The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) is expected to give the nod for fuel loading soon.
In 2024, prior permission was granted for core loading and ‘low power physics experiments’.
The PFBR is designed with inherent safety features and has undergone extensive multi-tier technical review.
Challenges Overcome
Over its development, the PFBR encountered multiple technical issues — especially with its fuel transfer arm. These have now been addressed.
Given its complexity, the reactor’s commissioning is seen as both a technological feat and a symbol of India’s nuclear ambitions.
