Kalpakkam To Have 500 Mw Fast Breeder Reactor

The first prototype fast breeder nuclear reactor will be set up at Kalpakkam with a capacity of 500 MW.

The fast breeder nuclear reactor will be first-of-its-kind in India and power production from it will be added to the southern power grid to complement power requirements in the southern region.

With this, India will graduate into the second stage of reactor technology, the first stage being the construction of pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWR).

There are now 14 PHWRs in operation in India with a total capacity of 2720 MW. There are eight more such reactors under construction.

The third stage of nuclear technology comprises the development of advanced heavy water reactors that would be able to harness the vast thorium reserves in the country.