India's 1st indigenously developed fast breeder reactor to start soon
After years of waiting, India's 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, will begin fuel loading next week.
Built entirely in India by BHAVINI, it's only the second commercial reactor of its kind in the world—Russia got there first.
Project timeline and significance
This project kicked off back in 2004 and faced plenty of delays, but it's now on track to be commissioned by September 2026.
Once up and running, PFBR will add 500 MWe to the grid using advanced tech that recycles nuclear fuel—meaning less waste and more efficiency.
It's a big step for India's clean energy game and shows what homegrown innovation can pull off.
How does PFBR work?
The PFBR uses a closed fuel cycle with uranium-plutonium fuel and liquid sodium coolant.
It actually creates more usable fuel than it burns—a clever way to stretch resources further and set up future thorium-based reactors.
All this helps boost energy security while keeping things sustainable for the long run.