India moves a step closer to nuclear fuel self-reliance

India has moved a step closer to producing its own nuclear fuel after a indigeneous-designed reactor began a nuclear reaction on Monday, an important step before it can start generating power.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi uneveiled the key development with a post on X, saying, "Today, India takes a defining step in its civil nuclear journey, advancing the second stage of its nuclear programme." He further added that the indigenously designed and built Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam has attained "criticality", the stage at which a self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction starts.

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"This advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel than it consumes, reflects the depth of our scientific capability and the strength of our engineering enterprise," the prime minister said.

Calling it a "decisive step towards harnessing our vast thorium reserves", Modi said the advanced reactor is capable of producing more fuel than it consumes.

The development comes at a time of global energy uncertainty, including war in the Middle East, which has heightened concerns about fuel supply disruptions.

Earlier in 2024, Modi witnessed the commencement of "core loading" at India's first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

He took a tour of the reactor vault and the control room of the nuclear reactor and was briefed about the salient features of the facility.

Once the reactor is commissioned into service, India will only be the second country, after Russia, to have a commercial operating Fast Breeder Reactor.

New Delhi has developed comprehensive capabilities spanning the entire spectrum of the nuclear fuel cycle, as per an official release.

The foundation of the programme was laid in 2003 with the creation of Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) to construct and operate India's most advanced nuclear reactor - Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).

PFBR has been fully designed and constructed indigenously by BHAVINI with significant contributions from more than 200 Indian industries, including MSMEs, the government had notified.

The Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) will initially operate using Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. The surrounding Uranium-238 blanket will undergo nuclear transmutation to generate additional fuel, which is why it is termed a “breeder.” The use of Thorium-232 as a blanket material—despite it not being inherently fissile—is also planned at this stage.

Through the transmutation process, thorium will create fissile Uranium-233, which will be used as fuel in the third stage of the programme. FBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the programme, paving the way for the eventual full utilisation of India's abundant thorium reserves.

In terms of safety, the PFBR is an advanced third-generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shutdown of the plant in the event of an emergency.