New Delhi: India has achieved a major milestone in the nuclear energy field, surprising the world once again. The country has successfully operated a Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR), becoming only the second nation globally to do so.
This achievement comes from the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. The reactor has recently reached an important stage called “criticality,” which means it can now sustain a nuclear chain reaction. This marks a big step forward in India’s energy journey.
The PFBR is India’s first indigenously developed fast breeder reactor with a capacity of 500 megawatts (MWe). It has been designed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and built by BHAVINI. More than 200 Indian companies, including many small and medium enterprises, contributed to this project.
This success is important because fast breeder reactors can produce more fuel than they consume, making them highly efficient. It also reduces dependence on fossil fuels and supports clean energy production.
With this progress, India is moving closer to becoming self-reliant in the energy sector and strengthening its position as a global leader in advanced nuclear technology.