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India has reached a key milestone in its long-delayed nuclear project. A new 500 MW reactor in Kalpakkam has gone “critical,” meaning it has begun producing nuclear energy in a controlled manner.
India is now the second country after Russia to achieve this. This also puts India among a select group of countries with advanced fast breeder reactor technology.
How it works: ‘criticality’ is when a reactor reaches a steady, self-sustaining chain reaction, allowing it to generate energy continuously. Unlike regular reactors, this one can create more fuel than it uses.
Why is it important: this reactor is critical to India’s long-term energy strategy. With limited uranium but vast thorium reserves, it can convert thorium into usable fuel, something conventional reactors cannot do.
This reduces dependence on imports, paving the way for more secure and potentially cheaper electricity over time.
It will also help India achieve its nuclear mission targets 100 GW of capacity by 2047, with an additional 7.3 GW already under construction or commissioning.
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