<h5>What is this Indian nuclear adventure?</h5><p>Recently, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi witnessed the start of "core loading" at India's first indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. This marks a crucial step in India's nuclear power programme.</p><p>The PM toured the facility and learned about the reactor's main features.</p><div class="raw-html-embed"><figure> <video width="100%" controls=""> <source src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/india-s-nuclear-adventure-progresses%2FPM%20Modi.mp4?alt=media&amp;token=f12208c3-0372-4eb9-9b5d-26a8bd26e6b5" type="video/mp4"> </video> <figcaption>PM Modi at the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor. Video by All India Radio News.</figcaption> </figure></div><h5>What is the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor?</h5><p>The PFBR produces more nuclear fuel than it consumes. Its core-loading event is regarded as a key milestone because it signals the start of Stage II of India's three-stage nuclear power programme.</p><p>The PFBR is India’s most advanced nuclear reactor and has been built by Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (BHAVINI). When operational, India will be only the second country, after Russia, to have a commercial Fast Breeder Reactor.</p><p>The PFBR will begin using a uranium-plutonium mixed oxide (MOX) fuel. This reactor will also help transform uranium-238, the material which surrounds the fuel core like a ‘blanket,’ into new fuel, similar to how a breeder creates more animals.</p><p>The PFBR is also very safe and can shut down quickly and safely during an emergency. Furthermore, because it uses spent fuel from the first stage, the amount of nuclear waste produced is reduced.</p><figure class="image"><img src="https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/newsahoot.appspot.com/o/india-s-nuclear-adventure-progresses%2FReactor.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=b457905b-a465-4568-ad6f-2ab064b2139c"><figcaption>PM Modi listening to the employees of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor. Photo by The New Indian Express.</figcaption></figure><h5>What is India’s three-stage nuclear power programme?</h5><p>Dr. Homi Bhaba created India's three-stage nuclear power programme in 1954. The first stage was to create nuclear reactors that used natural uranium. The second stage is Fast Breeder Reactors which use a plutonium-based fuel (this is where we are now!). The third and final stage is to make reactors that will use thorium fuel.</p><p>The three-stage nuclear programme was created as India contains a lot of thorium, which can be used to allow India to become completely self-sufficient in nuclear energy.</p><p>Thorium is regarded as a practically infinite energy source, which India can use to become self-sufficient in nuclear energy. Thorium-generated power releases no greenhouse gases, making it a clean energy source.</p><p>However, due to its physical properties, thorium cannot be used alone in a nuclear reactor. It must first be transformed into uranium-233 before being used. The three-stage nuclear power programme will help in this process.</p><h5>What are some advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy?</h5><p>Nuclear energy is clean and produces no greenhouse gas emissions. Using nuclear energy to produce electricity saves us from releasing massive amounts of greenhouse gases every year. Many scientists believe that nuclear energy could be used as an alternative to fossil fuels.</p><p>However, nuclear energy is costly (particularly in comparison to fossil fuels). Nuclear energy production requires the use of special nuclear power plants. Many countries are unable to buy these plants due to their high cost. Also, there is a risk that a nuclear meltdown might happen, which will harm the people and the environment around it.</p><p>Nuclear energy production also generates a large amount of nuclear waste. This waste can be very dangerous to living beings if not properly disposed of. These are some advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.</p>

India is stepping into the second part of the country’s three-stage nuclear power programme.

India's Nuclear Adventure Progresses

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India's Nuclear Adventure Progresses

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