The reactor is expected to commence its operation by September 2010, with commercial operation expected to commence six months later. This breed reactor expected to generate more than 3000 employment opportunities directly and indirectly once it go for stream, according to sources.
The reactor is being constructed at a cost of Rs 3,492 crore and will be through 20 per cent debt or bonds from the market by Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) and 80 per cent through equity.
The reactor will have three components, main vessel, safety vessel and inner vessel all this components will be made of stainless steel in low Nitrogen and the weight of this components will be 200 tonne,140 tonne and 180 tonne respectively. Each component will be cost around Rs 20-23 crore.
Speaking to reporters S K Jain, chairman and managing director, NPCIL said that three more similar projects are in the pipeline. Two will be installed in Kalpakkam with 500 MWe capacity each. He did not disclose the location of the fourth one.
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The utilisation of natural uranium in PFBRs increases to over 75 per cent as compared to 0.6 per cent in nuclear reactors based on Pressurised Heavy-Water Reactor technology. He added, when the first plant goes for stream it will supply power for Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. With the two more reactors going to be installed total production will be increased to 1500 MW by 2020.