Two more fast breeder reactors of 500 MWe capacity each would be set up here by 2020, a top official of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) said on Tuesday.
“In addition to the prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR), work on which is nearing completion, we have planned to construct two more reactors of this kind,” IGCAR Director Dr Baldev Raj told reporters here.
He said the work on the two reactors was expected to start by 2014.
On the ongoing work on the Rs 3,500-crore first FBR, Raj said the physical and civil construction was almost complete and it would be commissioned by October 2011.
The safety vessel and main vessel had already been placed in the reactor vault while the inner vessel would be installed before the reactor was closed, he said.
Other works, including primary piping and electrical, would be completed very soon, Raj said.
The testing of indigenously developed fission chamber would be carried out for three months from February end.
Stating that officials were ensuring the safety of the reactor, double testing each and every aspect, he said more validation was being done in each and every parameter.
On cost over run, he said the increase in the prices of steel and cement would push up the cost by 15-20 per cent.
On possible competition by China in FBR technology, he said country was trying to buy two reactors from Russia.
In future, IGCAR would go in for 1000 mw FBRs, the Director added.
