India’s surplus Uranium and an expanding sophisticated Nuclear Reactor Base

[Chanakya's_Chant]

India’s Mounting Uranium Stash

​

The nuclear relations between India and Pakistan have always been a victim of historical enmity as both countries share a history of conflicts and border disputes. In these circumstances, the Indo-U.S nuclear deal has been a topic of hot debate in Pakistan as well as in the international strategic community. Owing to the fact that India’s eight out 24 reactors (under the deal) are out of IAEA safeguards, it is likely to disturb deterrence equilibrium in the region because of expected quantitative as well as qualitative advancement of India’s military might.

Two contradictory forces have always engulfed Indian nuclear program including the country’s hegemonic aspiration wherein India is determined to project itself as a major power in the region and its limited uranium stockpiles.

On July 18, 2005, U.S. President George W. Bush and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh announced a framework for nuclear cooperation. Resultantly, three decades-long sanctions against India in the backdrop of its 1974 nuclear tests came to an end. Subsequently, the final agreement was signed at last on October 10, 2008.

On the international level, the proponents of non-proliferation came forward in defense of Non-Proliferation Regime (NPR). As according to Amb. Jayantha Dhanapala and Daryl G. Kimball of Arms Control Association, “contrary to the claims of its advocates, the deal [Nuclear] fails to bring India further in conformity with the nonproliferation behavior expected of the member states of the nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). Unlike other countries, India has not signed the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). It continues to produce fissile material and expand its arsenals.”

In addition, according to George Perkovich, “The U.S-India nuclear deal and its transformation into the NSG-India nuclear deal involved making and unmaking international rules. By exempting India from rules, the deal amounted to selective non-enforcement…by ignoring moratorium route, the U.S and India further undermined the cause of nonproliferation…and it enables India immediately to import fuel and sign reactor construction contracts with foreign suppliers.”

In 2005, Indian nuclear reactors were on the brink of collapse owing to the insufficient amount of uranium stockpiles. However, because of NSG waiver granted to India for successful Indo-U.S nuclear deal, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper pronounced a deal, wherein Canada’s Cameco Corporation will supply India with 3,000 metric tonnes of Uranium over the next five years. Interestingly, the deal comes 45 years after Canada officially banned all exports of uranium to India in 1974, following India’s “Smiling Buddha” nuclear test.

Moreover, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has sealed a civil nuclear deal to sell uranium to India as well. In a similar vein, Kazakhstan, recently, signed an agreement with India to supply India with 5,000 tonnes of uranium over the next five years.

In this way, Indo-U.S nuclear deal have provided India with surplus uranium that could easily be converted for military usage that would surely disturb strategic equilibrium in Asia, specially South Asia. Under the Nuclear Deal, India would also be eligible to buy U.S. dual-use nuclear technology, including materials and equipment that could be used to enrich uranium or reprocess plutonium, potentially creating the material for nuclear bombs.

The India-US nuclear deal is very significant to Beijing because it is perceived as a tactic of the US grand strategy to contain China’s rise. Pakistan’s nuclear policy has always been India-centric since beginning. As there are no sufficient safeguards that halt any possible uranium diversion for military purposes and if India went for the advancement of its nuclear weapons either quantitatively or qualitatively, then Pakistan would likely follow the path, consequently, aggravating nuclear arms race in the region.

Source:- India’s Mounting Uranium Stash | Voice of Journalists

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

India increases its uranium enrichment programme​

Brian Cloughley and Robert Kelley​

The removal of various structures related to construction support activities in February 2014 suggests that facility expansion is nearing completion. (PLEIADES © CNES 2014, Distribution Astrium Services / Spot Image / IHS)​

Using commercial satellite imagery, IHS Jane’s experts have identified a possible new uranium hexafluoride plant at the Indian Rare Metals Plant (IRMP) near Mysore. This will support new centrifuges that will substantially expand India’s uranium enrichment capacity, most likely to facilitate the construction of an increased number of naval reactors to expand the country’s nuclear submarine fleet, but potentially also to support the development of thermonuclear weapons. IHS Jane’s experts assess that the new uranium enrichment facility could become operational by mid- to late-2015. IHS consultant on Indian affairs, Brian Cloughley, said “Although denied by those concerned, there is a nuclear arms race in all but name taking place in Asia”.

Mysore’s original centrifuge plant was constructed in 1992, although in 2010 site clearance for a new, even larger, suspected centrifuge hall began. It is this new facility that could soon be operational. India is generally vocal in publicising its defence industry successes, but has revealed little about operations at Mysore, possibly to reduce attention to its nuclear trade agreements with the US.

Source:- India increases its uranium enrichment programme - IHS Jane's 360

Nuclear Option – India’s expanding uranium enrichment programme​

Robert Munks, Deputy Editor, IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review, IHS Aerospace, Defence & Security

Video:- Nuclear Option – India’s expanding uranium enrichment programme - IHS Jane's 360

Which Countries Have The Most Nuclear Reactors Under Construction? [Infographic]​

By Niall McCarthy,CONTRIBUTOR

When it comes to countries building nuclear reactors, the majority of the world’s attention has been focused on just one of them over the past few years – Iran. However, it has now agreed to redesign and rebuild its reactor at Arak so it will not produce weapons-grade plutonium while its spent fuel will be shipped abroad.

Which other countries are currently building nuclear power plants around the world? According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2015, there are 62 active building sites globally, the highest number since 1990. China is currently the king of nuclear construction, accounting for 24 of those 62 projects, despite the fact that its wind energy sector surpassed nuclear in 2012. A further 27 reactors are currently operational.

Eight nuclear reactors are being built in Russia while a further six are under construction in India. The United States has 99 reactors in operation, the most of any country worldwide, while it is currently building a further five.

*Click below to enlarge (charted by Statista)

​

Source:- Which Countries Have The Most Nuclear Reactors Under Construction? [Infographic]

 

[Razia Sultana]

Considering India's energy requirement, I would say India needs more nuclear reactors to generate power. Out of 24 reactors 8 are out of IAEA purview meaning they will be used for weapons but remaining 16 reactors are for civil purposes.

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

India registers record production of nuclear fuel​

Yellow cake, made from natural uranium, being processed at the massive mill at Jaduguda in Jharkhand State. This yellow cake is sent to the Nuclear Fuel Complex at Hyderabad to be made into fuel bundles. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish​

Nuclear Fuel Complex produces over 1,252 MT of uranium bundles, close to double the annual fuel requirement.

In a major milestone for the nuclear industry, India has registered a record production of over 1,252 MT of uranium bundles, manufacturing close to double the annual fuel requirement of atomic reactors in the country.

The production has also exceeded country’s annual fuel requirement of 650 MT for the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which means the country has surplus nuclear fuel, for at least a few months.

The Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex, which produces fuel for nuclear reactors in the country, has produced over 30 per cent more fuel compared to its 961.023 MT production in 2013-14.

“We have gone beyond our requirement this year,” Chief Engineer of NFC, N Saibaba, told PTI here.

The news is a breather for the power reactors in the country, which for all these years had been “under- performing”, primarily because of lack of fuel.

NFC, set-up with an initial production capacity of 100 MT per year, was augmented several times to a capacity to 850 MT, to cater to the fuel requirement of all the 18 operating PHWRs and the two Boiling Water Reactors at Tarapur.

“The credit for this achievement goes to the employees. The average working hours of NFC employees have increased from 6.25 hours to 8.15 hours. Secondly, we have made changes in almost all the manufacturing processes, which saved on time,” Mr. Saibaba added.

The nuclear fuel production in the country has seen a steady increase over the last seven years. A lot has been attributed to the Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement and the subsequent ones with Nuclear Suppliers Group that made the process of acquiring uranium simpler.

In 2008-09, NFC produced 226.89 —— the year Indo—US nuclear deal was signed. In 2009-10, the figure increased to 600.91 MT. In 2013-14, it crossed its rated capacity of 850 MT for the first time and produced 961.23 MT of uranium fuel.

India produces around 5,780 MW of nuclear power. Of this, 4,780 MW of electricity is generated by fuel processed at the NFC. Fuel for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) unit 1 is provided by Russia, as per the bilateral agreement.

Source:- India's nuclear fuel production - The Hindu

Why India's nuclear power output is surging​

India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over the next five years​

With Prime Minister Modi setting an ambitious goal of triplingnuclear power over the next decade, an analysis by IndiaSpend reveals that India’s nuclear-power sector is in the best shape it has ever been to deliver that target.

India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over the next five years (see first table).

Generation of nuclear power in India has doubled over the past five years, as IndiaSpend has earlier reported. The new capacity under construction means nuclear power generation will double again over the next five years.

The first of the new reactors under construction, the brand-new 1,000-MW power plant at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, started commercial operations on December 31, 2014, while other projects are in the pipeline.

Source: Lok Sabha

The ongoing surge in nuclear power is a direct payoff of the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement.

The most publicised aspect of this deal is the four power plants that India hopes to build with foreign collaboration.

Progress has been slow, leading some observers to write off the deal.

The nuclear deal has already delivered clear, tangible gains for India, and will continue to do so in the coming years.

Nuclear power plants account for 3.5% of India’s current electricity generation, and its share in India’s future electricity generation will be less than 10% even if the installed capacity is tripled. However, along with other sources of energy such as hydropower and solar-power, it will play a role in reducing India’s reliance on coal for generating electricity.

While progress on power reactors with foreign collaboration has been slow, India’s indigenous reactor program is going along just fine.

Four of the reactors are under construction: two each at Kakrapar and RAPP (Rajasthan) are indigenously designed 700 mw reactors. Work on another pair is expected to start in mid-2015 in Haryana, and six more are planned at three sites (see table below). These indigenously designed reactors appear set to be the workhorses of Indian nuclear program.

Source: Lok Sabha

India has been able to move ahead with these reactors because, unlike the past, fuel availability is no longer a problem.

Before 2008, India’s nuclear power reactors operated at 50% capacity because India did not produce sufficient uranium to run these reactors at full steam. As a non-signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, India was also locked out of the international nuclear marketplace and could not import fuel.
All this changed after the Indo-US nuclear deal. India has since imported uranium from Kazakhstan, Russia and France and is exploring similar agreements with other suppliers, such as Australia.

With more fuel available, capacity utilisation of nuclear power plants has improved from 50% in 2008-09 to more than 80% now (see table below).

India’s Nuclear Energy Generation (Million Units, Left) And Capacity Factor (%, Right)

Source: Lok Sabha, CEA

Currently, 1,940 MW, about 40% of India’s nuclear power capacity, operates under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and use imported fuel.

The cost of imported fuel for running these reactors is Rs 330 crore per annum. The low cost of fuel is one of the reasons nuclear power is cheaper than other fuels, such as coal or natural gas.

Compared to power plants using fossil fuels, such as coal or gas, nuclear power has high initial costs. However, fuel cost is a minor expense during the plant’s life, leading to lower lifetime costs for nuclear power compared to either coal or gas.

Nuclear Power Corporation in India (NPCIL) supplies electricity at a lower cost per unit compared to any other energy utility in the public or private sector. Given India’s status as a major importer of petroleum, natural gas and coal, this could be one way of keeping energy costs in check.

Source:- Why India's nuclear power output is surging | Business Standard News

Considering India's energy requirement, I would say India needs more nuclear reactors to generate power. Out of 24 reactors 8 are out of IAEA purview meaning they will be used for weapons but remaining 16 reactors are for civil purposes.

Six Nuclear Reactors are under construction - 10 nuclear reactors are at various levels of consideration - India's Generation of nuclear power has doubled over the past five years and we are on course to double our nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over the next five years.

 

[proud_indian]

Yellow cake, made from natural uranium, being processed at the massive mill at Jaduguda in Jharkhand State. This yellow cake is sent to the Nuclear Fuel Complex at Hyderabad to be made into fuel bundles. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish

Don't they need any protective gear or something to curb radiation?
working condition doesn't look very good

It's just my assumption as I haven't got much idea

 

[hcbb]

they are zombies

 

[kadamba-warrior]

Don't they need any protective gear or something to curb radiation?
working condition doesn't look very good

It's just my assumption as I haven't got much idea

That is a very low radiation U238, mate. Radiation alone, at that stage, is not harmful even without protective gear.

Yellowcake - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[thesolar65]

India registers record production of nuclear fuel​

Yellow cake, made from natural uranium, being processed at the massive mill at Jaduguda in Jharkhand State. This yellow cake is sent to the Nuclear Fuel Complex at Hyderabad to be made into fuel bundles. Photo: Sushanta Patronobish​

Nuclear Fuel Complex produces over 1,252 MT of uranium bundles, close to double the annual fuel requirement.

In a major milestone for the nuclear industry, India has registered a record production of over 1,252 MT of uranium bundles, manufacturing close to double the annual fuel requirement of atomic reactors in the country.

The production has also exceeded country’s annual fuel requirement of 650 MT for the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), which means the country has surplus nuclear fuel, for at least a few months.

The Hyderabad-based Nuclear Fuel Complex, which produces fuel for nuclear reactors in the country, has produced over 30 per cent more fuel compared to its 961.023 MT production in 2013-14.

“We have gone beyond our requirement this year,” Chief Engineer of NFC, N Saibaba, told PTI here.

The news is a breather for the power reactors in the country, which for all these years had been “under- performing”, primarily because of lack of fuel.

NFC, set-up with an initial production capacity of 100 MT per year, was augmented several times to a capacity to 850 MT, to cater to the fuel requirement of all the 18 operating PHWRs and the two Boiling Water Reactors at Tarapur.

“The credit for this achievement goes to the employees. The average working hours of NFC employees have increased from 6.25 hours to 8.15 hours. Secondly, we have made changes in almost all the manufacturing processes, which saved on time,” Mr. Saibaba added.

The nuclear fuel production in the country has seen a steady increase over the last seven years. A lot has been attributed to the Indo-U.S. nuclear agreement and the subsequent ones with Nuclear Suppliers Group that made the process of acquiring uranium simpler.

In 2008-09, NFC produced 226.89 —— the year Indo—US nuclear deal was signed. In 2009-10, the figure increased to 600.91 MT. In 2013-14, it crossed its rated capacity of 850 MT for the first time and produced 961.23 MT of uranium fuel.

India produces around 5,780 MW of nuclear power. Of this, 4,780 MW of electricity is generated by fuel processed at the NFC. Fuel for the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) unit 1 is provided by Russia, as per the bilateral agreement.

Source:- India's nuclear fuel production - The Hindu

Why India's nuclear power output is surging
India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over the next five years​

With Prime Minister Modi setting an ambitious goal of triplingnuclear power over the next decade, an analysis by IndiaSpend reveals that India’s nuclear-power sector is in the best shape it has ever been to deliver that target.

India is on course to double its nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over the next five years (see first table).

Generation of nuclear power in India has doubled over the past five years, as IndiaSpend has earlier reported. The new capacity under construction means nuclear power generation will double again over the next five years.

The first of the new reactors under construction, the brand-new 1,000-MW power plant at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu, started commercial operations on December 31, 2014, while other projects are in the pipeline.

Source: Lok Sabha

The ongoing surge in nuclear power is a direct payoff of the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement.

The most publicised aspect of this deal is the four power plants that India hopes to build with foreign collaboration.

Progress has been slow, leading some observers to write off the deal.

The nuclear deal has already delivered clear, tangible gains for India, and will continue to do so in the coming years.

Nuclear power plants account for 3.5% of India’s current electricity generation, and its share in India’s future electricity generation will be less than 10% even if the installed capacity is tripled. However, along with other sources of energy such as hydropower and solar-power, it will play a role in reducing India’s reliance on coal for generating electricity.

While progress on power reactors with foreign collaboration has been slow, India’s indigenous reactor program is going along just fine.

Four of the reactors are under construction: two each at Kakrapar and RAPP (Rajasthan) are indigenously designed 700 mw reactors. Work on another pair is expected to start in mid-2015 in Haryana, and six more are planned at three sites (see table below). These indigenously designed reactors appear set to be the workhorses of Indian nuclear program.

Source: Lok Sabha

India has been able to move ahead with these reactors because, unlike the past, fuel availability is no longer a problem.

Before 2008, India’s nuclear power reactors operated at 50% capacity because India did not produce sufficient uranium to run these reactors at full steam. As a non-signatory to the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, India was also locked out of the international nuclear marketplace and could not import fuel.
All this changed after the Indo-US nuclear deal. India has since imported uranium from Kazakhstan, Russia and France and is exploring similar agreements with other suppliers, such as Australia.

With more fuel available, capacity utilisation of nuclear power plants has improved from 50% in 2008-09 to more than 80% now (see table below).

India’s Nuclear Energy Generation (Million Units, Left) And Capacity Factor (%, Right)

Source: Lok Sabha, CEA

Currently, 1,940 MW, about 40% of India’s nuclear power capacity, operates under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards and use imported fuel.

The cost of imported fuel for running these reactors is Rs 330 crore per annum. The low cost of fuel is one of the reasons nuclear power is cheaper than other fuels, such as coal or natural gas.

Compared to power plants using fossil fuels, such as coal or gas, nuclear power has high initial costs. However, fuel cost is a minor expense during the plant’s life, leading to lower lifetime costs for nuclear power compared to either coal or gas.

Nuclear Power Corporation in India (NPCIL) supplies electricity at a lower cost per unit compared to any other energy utility in the public or private sector. Given India’s status as a major importer of petroleum, natural gas and coal, this could be one way of keeping energy costs in check.

Source:- Why India's nuclear power output is surging | Business Standard News



Six Nuclear Reactors are under construction - 10 nuclear reactors are at various levels of consideration - India's Generation of nuclear power has doubled over the past five years and we are on course to double our nuclear power generation capacity to more than 10,000 mega watts (MW) over the next five years.

Why the worker wears only a shirt and helmet? Isn't that radio active

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

Why the worker wears only a shirt and helmet? Isn't that radio active

Don't they need any protective gear or something to curb radiation?
working condition doesn't look very good

It's just my assumption as I haven't got much idea

The uranium in yellowcake is very less radioactive and has an extremely long half-life, meaning that it emits it's already low radiation at a even slower rate. The uranium in yellowcake has the same radioactivity as it did in nature when it was underground. It is practically harmless.

 

[Omega007]

Why the worker wears only a shirt and helmet? Isn't that radio active

Dude!!That is Uranium 238 isotope!!It's not radio active at this stage.

 

[Echo_419]

Don't they need any protective gear or something to curb radiation?
working condition doesn't look very good

It's just my assumption as I haven't got much idea

Not radioactive enough at this stage

 

[kurup]

India increases its uranium enrichment programme​

Brian Cloughley and Robert Kelley​

The removal of various structures related to construction support activities in February 2014 suggests that facility expansion is nearing completion. (PLEIADES © CNES 2014, Distribution Astrium Services / Spot Image / IHS)​

Using commercial satellite imagery, IHS Jane’s experts have identified a possible new uranium hexafluoride plant at the Indian Rare Metals Plant (IRMP) near Mysore. This will support new centrifuges that will substantially expand India’s uranium enrichment capacity, most likely to facilitate the construction of an increased number of naval reactors to expand the country’s nuclear submarine fleet, but potentially also to support the development of thermonuclear weapons. IHS Jane’s experts assess that the new uranium enrichment facility could become operational by mid- to late-2015. IHS consultant on Indian affairs, Brian Cloughley, said “Although denied by those concerned, there is a nuclear arms race in all but name taking place in Asia”.

Mysore’s original centrifuge plant was constructed in 1992, although in 2010 site clearance for a new, even larger, suspected centrifuge hall began. It is this new facility that could soon be operational. India is generally vocal in publicising its defence industry successes, but has revealed little about operations at Mysore, possibly to reduce attention to its nuclear trade agreements with the US.

Source:- India increases its uranium enrichment programme - IHS Jane's 360

Nuclear Option – India’s expanding uranium enrichment programme​

Robert Munks, Deputy Editor, IHS Jane’s Intelligence Review, IHS Aerospace, Defence & Security

Video:- Nuclear Option – India’s expanding uranium enrichment programme - IHS Jane's 360

Which Countries Have The Most Nuclear Reactors Under Construction? [Infographic]​

By Niall McCarthy,CONTRIBUTOR

When it comes to countries building nuclear reactors, the majority of the world’s attention has been focused on just one of them over the past few years – Iran. However, it has now agreed to redesign and rebuild its reactor at Arak so it will not produce weapons-grade plutonium while its spent fuel will be shipped abroad.

Which other countries are currently building nuclear power plants around the world? According to the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2015, there are 62 active building sites globally, the highest number since 1990. China is currently the king of nuclear construction, accounting for 24 of those 62 projects, despite the fact that its wind energy sector surpassed nuclear in 2012. A further 27 reactors are currently operational.

Eight nuclear reactors are being built in Russia while a further six are under construction in India. The United States has 99 reactors in operation, the most of any country worldwide, while it is currently building a further five.

*Click below to enlarge (charted by Statista)

​

Source:- Which Countries Have The Most Nuclear Reactors Under Construction? [Infographic]

WOW .... look at US .... 99 operational reactors ...

 

[kurup]

Those number are of US reactors

I know ..... That is what I said .

WOW .... look at US .... 99 operational reactors ...

 

[proud_indian]

I know ..... That is what I said .

WOW .... look at US .... 99 operational reactors ...

D

 

[Chanakya's_Chant]

India's First Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF) / FBR Fuel Reprocessing Plant Coming up in TN

​

India's 500 MWe fast breeder reactor under construction​

​

The foundation for India's first fast reactor fuel reprocessing plant to be built at a cost of Rs 9,600 crore is expected to be laid in two months' time at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, a top official has said.

"The soil excavation work for the fuel reprocessing plants is almost over as the rocky layer has been reached. In two months' time, the foundation for the reprocessing plants would be laid," PR Vasudeva Rao, director, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) told IANS in an interview.

Rao said the FRFCF will be the first of its kind plant dedicated solely to reprocessing fast reactor fuels to cater to a commercial-sized reactor.

Though FRFCF will have only fuel reprocessing plants and not a reactor, Rao said the plant buildings have to be seismically qualified and hence the need for deep excavation. Similarly all other safety aspects are being considered and incorporated in the project construction stage.

Rao said action on tenders for nearly 50 per cent of the total project cost is under progress.

He said orders for long delivery machinery and equipment worth around Rs 500 crore have been placed till date.

"The facility is slated to be commissioned towards the end of 2019," Rao said.

IGCAR, as per its mandate, designed and developed the 500 Mw prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) which is now being built by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) at Kalpakkam.

A fast-breeder reactor is one which breeds more material for a nuclear fission reaction than it consumes. It is the key to India's three-stage nuclear power programme.

The purpose of FRFCF is to reprocess the spent fuel of PFBR and also other two fast reactors expected to come up at Kalpakkam, around 70 km from here.

According to Rao, the FRFCF can, with little augmentation, reprocess the spent fuel from the additional fast reactors that would come up. As to the FRFCF's fuel reprocessing capacity, Rao said every eighth month one-third of the PFBR's 181 fuel sub-assemblies have to be taken out of the reactor for reprocessing and new fuel sub-assemblies loaded in.

The FRFCF is expected to employ around 1,500-2,000 people and Rao said work on building residential quarters for the employees is also progressing simultaneously.

He said the FRFCF is designed by IGCAR, Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.

"The FRFCF is not water-intensive and plans are there to meet the water needs through desalination plants," Rao said.

He said IGCAR would shortly commission a new two million gallons per day desalination plant built an outlay of around Rs.40 crore.

"We have the experience in reprocessing fast reactor fuel used in fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR," Rao said.

Asked about the finalisation of reactor design for the next two fast reactors, Rao said the design is yet to be finally approved.

He said the new fast reactor design would not only incorporate the learning from PFBR but also ensure that the design is cost-effective.

"The new design is expected to reduce the material cost at least by 10 percent as compared to PFBR," Rao said.

Source:- India to get first fast reactor fuel reprocessing plant in TN for Rs 9,600 crore - The Economic Times

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) a 500MWe fast breeder nuclear reactor at Kalpakkam, TN will be commissioned by year end.

India's fast breeder reactor to go critical soon | Business Standard News