India's ambitious plan to achieve 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by 2047 may include up to 5 GW of fast breeder reactors (FBRs), people close to the development said.The move signifies India's entry and expansion into the second stage of its nuclear energy programme. Currently, only Russia has commercially operating FBRs.The contours of 100 GW of nuclear power target by 2047 are in final stages of deliberation, one of the persons said.The country's first 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) is being developed by state-owned Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI). 'Core loading' or loading of nuclear fuel assemblies into the reactor core at the indigenous PFBR at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu was initiated last year in March. The unit is expected to be commissioned in the ongoing financial year.121276241PFBR is the forerunner of future fast breeder reactors.Once fully commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have a commercial operating FBR.Thereafter, BHAVINI could drive capacity addition of FBRs in 'fleet mode' - build multiple reactors of a similar design and configuration at the same time, or in a series, the person quoted above said.BHAVINI did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment till the time of filing this report."The deliberations on the roadmap are on with the various possible nuclear power technologies," another person said.The framework for 100 GW, being prepared by an inter-ministerial committee comprising officials from the Department of Atomic Energy and Ministry of Power, is likely to have a comprehensive plan to outline technology pathways, investment needs, manpower requirements, and supply chain logistics, according to the person.So far, India has developed and operated indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) through Nuclear Power Corporation of India. Some units of Light Water Reactors have also been added, mainly through foreign collaborations.India currently has 8.8 GW of nuclear energy capacity, which constitutes around 1.9% of the total installed power generation capacity.The government had approved in 2003 the creation of BHAVINI to construct and operate FBRs.The FBR is a crucial step towards entering the third stage of India's nuclear programme. The PFBR will use plutonium as fuel and generate power by recycling plutonium and depleted uranium extracted from the spent fuel of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors.
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