goingcritical:pfbrIndia · Power reactor

PFBR (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor)

Developer: BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd)

Site: Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu

Status: Critical since April 6, 2026 critical

Summary:

India's first commercial-scale fast breeder reactor and the key step in stage two of its three-stage nuclear programme; criticality came roughly 15 years behind original schedule

Details

DesignSodium-cooled prototype fast breeder reactor (MOX fuel)
Capacity470 MWe

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start October 2004
  3. Fuel load October 18, 2025
  4. First criticality April 6, 2026
  5. Grid connection —
  6. Commercial operation —

References

  1. DAE, PFBR attains first criticality 6 April 2026
  2. WNN, first criticality for Indian fast breeder reactor
  3. IPFM, PFBR criticality (fuel loading began 18 October 2025)