India
Indigenous fast breeder reactor will be crucial: AEC chief | India News – Times of India
MUMBAI: In the 70th year of its foundation, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) to reach major milestone with India’s first 500 MW Fast Breeder Reactor Prototype (PFBR) near Kalpakkam, close to Chennai, will become critical.
Speaking on Monday at the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Ajit Kumar Mohantychairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) said the reactor is undergoing a core load, paving the way for the first approach to criticality.
Mohanty stressed that the PFBR is based on a closed fuel cycle, which is the cornerstone of India’s nuclear program. The reactor is expected to come on stream in December, according to information from various sources.
Regarding capacity expansion, Mohanty told delegates that the Nuclear Power Company of India Limited (NPCIL) has started commercial operation of two units of the indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Water Reactors (PHWRs) at the Kakrapar nuclear power plant in Gujarat last year.
“Moreover, the first fuel loading has been completed at another 700 MW PHWR unit at the Rajasthan nuclear power plant,” he said, adding that to strengthen the fuel supply chain, a new nuclear fuel complex at Kota in Rajasthan has now entered advanced stage of commissioning, which will primarily cater to the needs of the future fleet of indigenously built PHWRs.
“As India gears up to establish itself as a developed nation (Viksit Bharat), the Indian government envisions a significantly larger role for nuclear energy over the next two decades to address the twin challenges of energy security and balancing climate goals,” Mohanty said.
To achieve this goal, the government recently said it will collaborate with the private sector to develop and install compact nuclear reactors – Bharat Small Reactors – which will generate electricity on a smaller scale and have the advantage of being faster to install and also cost-effective.
Mohanty told the conference that the Heavy Water Board (HWB) exports heavy water to several countries for non-electrical applications, including medical and healthcare.
“As we enter the new era of nuclear renaissance, India stands ready to work with the agency (IAEA) and other like-minded member states to harness the potential of nuclear energy and contribute to a future defined by growth, innovation and energy security,” Mohanty said.
Speaking on Monday at the 68th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Ajit Kumar Mohantychairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) said the reactor is undergoing a core load, paving the way for the first approach to criticality.
Mohanty stressed that the PFBR is based on a closed fuel cycle, which is the cornerstone of India’s nuclear program. The reactor is expected to come on stream in December, according to information from various sources.
Regarding capacity expansion, Mohanty told delegates that the Nuclear Power Company of India Limited (NPCIL) has started commercial operation of two units of the indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Water Reactors (PHWRs) at the Kakrapar nuclear power plant in Gujarat last year.
“Moreover, the first fuel loading has been completed at another 700 MW PHWR unit at the Rajasthan nuclear power plant,” he said, adding that to strengthen the fuel supply chain, a new nuclear fuel complex at Kota in Rajasthan has now entered advanced stage of commissioning, which will primarily cater to the needs of the future fleet of indigenously built PHWRs.
“As India gears up to establish itself as a developed nation (Viksit Bharat), the Indian government envisions a significantly larger role for nuclear energy over the next two decades to address the twin challenges of energy security and balancing climate goals,” Mohanty said.
To achieve this goal, the government recently said it will collaborate with the private sector to develop and install compact nuclear reactors – Bharat Small Reactors – which will generate electricity on a smaller scale and have the advantage of being faster to install and also cost-effective.
Mohanty told the conference that the Heavy Water Board (HWB) exports heavy water to several countries for non-electrical applications, including medical and healthcare.
“As we enter the new era of nuclear renaissance, India stands ready to work with the agency (IAEA) and other like-minded member states to harness the potential of nuclear energy and contribute to a future defined by growth, innovation and energy security,” Mohanty said.
