India has reached a significant milestone in nuclear technology as the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam achieved first criticality, initiating a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction. With this achievement, India beat the USA and France in fast breeder reactor development. 

US and France Experience with Breeder Reactors

The United States and France both invested heavily in fast breeder reactor programs over past decades.

United States

• Built experimental reactors such as Fermi-1
• Planned commercial breeder projects such as Clinch River
• Programs were later discontinued due to technical issues and economic factors

France

• Developed the Superphénix fast breeder reactor
• Faced operational issues and political opposition
• The reactor was shut down in the late 1990s

As a result, large-scale breeder programs were reduced or stopped in both countries.

So far, Russia is the only country operating fast breeder reactors at a commercial level. China is still at an early stage, with experimental projects including CEFR and CFR-600. According to a PIB statement, India will be the second nation after Russia to operate a commercial fast breeder reactor once it becomes fully operational. 

India’s Next-Generation Nuclear Reactor at Kalpakkam

The PFBR is a 500 MWe sodium-cooled fast breeder reactor developed under India’s Department of Atomic Energy and operated by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research. The PFBR uses a different design from conventional nuclear reactors. Instead of slow neutrons, it uses fast neutrons and a plutonium-uranium mixed fuel (MOX fuel). 

Core Features of the Kalpakkam PFBR:

• Sodium used as coolant instead of water
• Designed to “breed” more fissile material than it consumes
• Produces energy while also generating future nuclear fuel

India’s three-stage nuclear program

The PFBR is part of India’s structured nuclear energy roadmap: 

• Stage 1: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors using natural uranium
• Stage 2: Fast breeder reactors like PFBR that produce plutonium fuel
• Stage 3: Thorium-based reactors using India’s large thorium reserves

The PFBR is the bridge between uranium-based systems and thorium-based energy generation.

The Kalpakkam reactor is expected to generate electricity for about three million homes while creating additional nuclear fuel, strengthening India’s energy independence and strategy. 

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