India steps ahead to achieve Bhabha's vision
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New Delhi, Sept 23: MoS for Atomic Energy and Space Jitendra Singh said that the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor will be commissioned by October 2022. The reactor is being constructed by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam ( Bhavini ) and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research, at the Kalpakkam Atomic Station of Chennai.
India's three stage Nuclear Programme was visualized and initiated by Dr Homi Bhabha with an objective of using Thorium reserves in India to meet the energy requirements of the country. The programme is running successfully through the Indo - US Nuclear deal which establishes an agreement for cooperation between the two nations as a prerequisite for Nuclear deals.
Thorium is a radioactive element available in much abundance than Uranium, thus making it an important element for any Nuclear plan. it can be used as nuclear fuel through breeding to Uranium - 233 ( U - 233 ). The Thorium reserves in India contribute 1 - 2% of the global Uranium reserves. Hence the nuclear programme was initiated by Dr Homi Bhabha by using the Thorium and Uranium reserves found in the Monazite sand of coastal India. It was planned in three stages;
- Stage I for Pressurized heavy Water Reactor
- Stage II for Fast Breeder Reactor and
- Stage III for Thorium based Reactor.
The second stage reactor was planned to be commissioned in 2012, which was delayed due to technical reasons. Now India is in the third stage of the Nuclear Programme. This prototype Fast Breed Reactor will add 500MW of power to national grid after being commissioned.