India's Fast Breeder Reactor Hits Criticality, 500MW
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- India's fast breeder reactor reached criticality earlier this month, achieving a self‑sustaining nuclear chain reaction.
- Tamil Nadu hosts the reactor, a project under development since 2000.
- The plant will be the world’s second commercial fast breeder reactor, with Russia operating the only other one.
- The reactor is slated to generate 500 MW of carbon‑free electricity when fully operational.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the milestone as a “proud moment for India” and a “defining step” for the nation’s nuclear program.
- India targets 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, up from about 9 GW today.
- Fast breeder technology can produce more fissile material than it consumes, enabling use of domestic thorium reserves.
Why it matters: India gains a domestically sourced nuclear fuel cycle that reduces uranium imports and leverages thorium, while the 500 MW plant adds carbon‑free capacity toward the nation’s 100 GW nuclear goal by 2047, strengthening energy security and decarbonization for the country’s growing demand and climate commitments.
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