2 weeks Ago
India is on the cusp of a major leap in its nuclear energy journey, with the expected commissioning of its first Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam by 2025–26. Officials from the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) confirmed to a parliamentary standing committee that the 500 MW reactor, developed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI), is in the advanced stage of integrated commissioning. The PFBR, the first of its kind in India, represents the second stage of the country’s visionary three-stage nuclear programme, aimed at maximising fuel utilisation and minimising radioactive waste through recycling.
Unlike conventional reactors, the PFBR uses plutonium-based mixed oxide fuel and employs liquid sodium as a coolant—an advanced technology that is set to redefine India's nuclear landscape. "The first criticality is expected to be achieved by 2025–26, with full completion targeted by September 2026," officials told the committee. This follows last year’s green light from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) to load fuel and begin low-power experiments.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also marked the beginning of core loading in March 2024, underlining the reactor’s national significance. Crucially, the PFBR will utilise spent fuel from India's fleet of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), forming a closed fuel cycle. The plutonium extracted will eventually be used in thorium-based reactors, marking the third stage of India's nuclear roadmap.
Currently, India’s installed nuclear capacity stands at 8.18 GW. With 7.
30 GW under construction and another 7.00 GW in the pre-project phase, the country is set to increase its nuclear capacity to 22.48 GW by 2031–32.
In the long term, the government aims to achieve 100 GW of nuclear-generated electricity under its national nuclear energy mission. Future projections include 15.40 GW from indigenous PHWRs, 17.
60 GW from Light Water Reactors developed in collaboration with foreign partners, and 3.80 GW from additional fast breeder reactors by BHAVINI. Further contributions are expected from Small Modular Reactors and innovative technologies developed with private sector participation.
With the commissioning of the PFBR, India not only inches closer to energy self-reliance but also cements its position in the global nuclear arena as a pioneer in closed fuel cycle and thorium-based reactor technologies..
