India would develop the first fast breeder reactor this year, making it the only nation in Asia to develop such a technology.
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) today said after over two decades of work, the country's second generation nuclear reactor that would breed more fuel than it consumes will be ready by the end of this year.
Work on the second generation 500-Mw prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) is expected to be completed by the end of this year, Head of Material Science Division of IGCAR C S Sundar told reporters while participating in the National Conference on "Nanomaterials Syntheses and Applications" here.
He said it would be a major achievement for the country as no other nation in Asia has developed the technology so far.
A breeder reactor is one that breeds more material for a nuclear fission reaction than it consumes, so that the reaction that ultimately produces electricity can continue, he explained.
If all goes well, the Rs 35-billion project promoted by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (Bhavini) will become the crowning glory for the IGCAR that already houses four nuclear power reactors, he added.
