Fast Breeder Reactor: India’s 3 Stage Programme

Context: India’s nuclear programme has reached a significant milestone with the commencement of core loading at the country’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

Fast Breeder Reactor: Historical Context and Development

• Fast Breeder Reactor Program: Initiated two decades ago, the FBR program aims to extend India’s capabilities across the nuclear fuel cycle, contributing to electricity production from uranium.
• BHAVINI Establishment: In 2003, under Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) was formed to construct and operate the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).
• Project Delays: Originally targeted for completion by September 2010, the PFBR faced delays due to technological challenges, with the last set of approvals moving the completion to October 2022.
• Global Context: Upon commissioning, India will join Russia as the second country to have a commercial operating FBR. China has a smaller fast breeder program, while Japan, France, and the United States have ceased theirs due to safety concerns.

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Three-Stage Nuclear Power Programme

• Stage One: Involves Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium as fuel, with 22 operational reactors having an installed capacity of 6,780 MWe.
• Stage Two: Focuses on FBRs to multiply fissile material inventory, critical for utilising thorium in the future.
• Stage Three: Envisions using thorium in an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) to produce electricity through the ThU233 cycle.

Thorium Utilisation and Energy Security

• Thorium Reserves: India’s strategy includes leveraging its abundant thorium reserves found in coastal and inland sands across various states for long-term energy security.
• Closed Fuel Cycle Approach: Involves reprocessing spent fuel to separate useful isotopes, facilitating the transition towards thorium usage.

Progress and Future Directions

• Initial Fuel Use: The FBR will initially use Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel, with plans to incorporate thorium (Th232) as a blanket for producing fissile U233 in later stages.
• Energy Production and Costs: Despite advanced technology, the projected capital and electricity costs of the FBR are comparable to other nuclear and conventional power sources.
• Nuclear Power Expansion: With the India-US civil nuclear deal enabling uranium imports, India aims to significantly increase its nuclear power output to 22,400 MWe by 2032.

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