India's commercial fast breeder reactor to be commissioned by 2017-end

The first phase of India's much-awaited fast breeder nuclear reactor in Kalpakkam is likely to be commissioned by the end of this year, India's atomic power regulator said on Friday.

"It is based on the latest technology and we will become the lead nation in the world once it is commissioned... it is very safe. By the end of the year it will be commissioned, I expect," Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Sekhar Basu told IANS here on sidelines of the Associate Membership Programme of Indian Institute of Metals.

The indigenously built commercial 500-MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam near Chennai is expected to be a boost to 'Make in India'.

"But we are going very safe... Aso that is why it is taking some time. We are not taking any chances," added Basu.

Russia's Beloyarsk Nuclear Plant is the only commercially operating fast breeder reactor in the world.

--IANS

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