AERB Grants Permission for First Approach to Criticality of 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) has officially granted permission for the “First Approach to Criticality” of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India’s first indigenous PFBR. This critical milestone includes the loading of fuel into the reactor core and the initiation of “Low Power Physics Experiments.”

The approval follows a review process, which included phased core loading activities. Earlier this year, the core loading began with the insertion of control sub-assemblies and blanket sub-assemblies, all conducted under the stringent oversight of AERB.

AERB has executed a thorough multi-tier safety review, supplemented by regular inspections and oversight by a resident site observer team. Following extensive evaluation of the detailed safety submissions, review outcomes, and a site visit, the Board has affirmed the systematic regulatory oversight and granted the necessary permissions.

In the upcoming final stage, fuel sub-assemblies will be introduced into the reactor core. Once a sustained nuclear fission chain reaction is achieved, marking the reactor’s criticality, a series of low power physics experiments will be conducted to further assess and understand reactor behavior.

This authorization represents a significant advance toward the operationalisation of the PFBR, a key component of India’s nuclear power program. The 500 MWe sodium-cooled Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, commissioned by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), signifies a crucial step in advancing the country’s nuclear energy capabilities.