CHENNAI: The 500 Mega Watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam, an important milestone for India’s three-stage nuclear power programme, may be delayed due to the tight scrutiny by Atomic Energy Regulatory Body (AERB), according to chairman of Atomic Energy Commission Ratan Kumar Sinha.
Sinha, who was here in Kalpakkam, said that clearances from AERB is required before proceeding further. “It is unlikely the reactor would go critical next month, as it requires AERB clearances,” he said. It is learnt that the reactor will be undergoing three phases of clearance from the AERB.
Sinha on Friday accompanied Union Minister of State of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Jitendera Singh, who made his maiden visit to Kalpakkam.
“The minister had not visited Kalpakkam. I had invited him to visit Madras Atomic Power Station, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and well as Fast Breeder Reactor,” said Sinha. He said the minister also visited Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), where the Reactor is undergoing tests.
Chairman and managing director of BHAVINI, Dr Perumal Chellapandi said some delays may be unavoidable because of tight scrutiny by AERB after the Fukushima incident.