'Inherently Safe': India's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor At Kalpakkam Gets Approval From Atomic Energy Board

India's atomic energy program has achieved a significant milestone with the country's most advanced and complex nuclear reactor, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, receiving green light from India's atomic regulator, Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).

The approval has been given to the PDBR for commencing nuclear fuel loading and initiating the controlled chain reaction as per a report by NDTV.

Dinesh Kumar Shukla, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), confirmed the approval, describing the PFBR as an "inherently safe reactor" and highlighting its importance for India's self-reliant atomic energy program.

This approval marks a pivotal step towards utilising plutonium as a nuclear fuel and exploring the potential of thorium as an energy source. India, with limited uranium reserves, generates plutonium in atomic plants since natural plutonium is nonexistent.

Conversely, India possesses vast thorium reserves and is developing the technology to use thorium as fuel. Experts suggest that mastering thorium fuel could ensure India's energy independence for over three centuries, offering a sustainable and long-term energy solution.

A fast breeder reactor, such as the PFBR, is special in that it produces more fuel than it consumes, earning it the description of an endless energy source. The "fast" in its name refers to the high-energy fast neutrons used in the reactor.

India already operates a Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam, which has been functional for 39 years.

The AERB noted that granting permission for fuel loading is a significant step towards operationalising the PFBR and that the 500MWe sodium-cooled reactor, commissioned by BHAVINI at Kalpakkam, represents a major advancement in India's nuclear power program.