Question : Fast Breeder Reactors

(a)whether the Government proposes to expedite the Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility and Demonstration Fuel Reprocessing Plant, Kalpakkam as well as the BHAVINI, MAPS at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu;

(b)if so, the details thereof and the total funds earmarked, allocated, disbursed and spent for all these projects as on date;

(c)whether the projects faces any delay in execution as it requires approval from Atomic Energy Commission Board and other regulatory agencies; and

(d)if so, the details thereof and the current status of the project and the approximate time by which the project will be commissioned?

THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR PERSONNEL, PUBLIC GRIEVANCES & PENSIONS AND PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE (Dr. JITENDRA SINGH) :

(a)&(b) Yes, Sir. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), a constituent unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is responsible for execution of projects on Fast Reactor Fuel Cycle Facility (FRFCF) and Demonstration Fuel Reprocessing Plant (DFRP). The total funds earmarked, allocated, disbursed and spent for FRFCF and DFRP as on date are given below:-

Facility Sanctioned Cost Expenditure incurred BE 2016-17
(Rs.n crore) as on date (Rs.in crore) (Rs.in crore)
DFRP 91.12 88.49 2.50
FRFCF 9589.00 571.12 900.00

The Madras Atomic Power Station (Unit-1&2) was completed in the year 1986 at a cost of ` 245.87 crore. Units 1&2 have been in operation since 1984 and 1986 respectively.
The total funds earmarked, allocated, disbursed and spent by DAE for BHAVINI is as follows:-

For Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (Rs.in crore)

Equity 4314.52
GOI loan 1000.00
Equity support from Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) 227.08
Total 5514.60
For Pre-project Activities of Fast Breeder Reactor
1 & 2 (Rs.in crore)
Equity 42.60
Total 42.60

(c)No, Sir.

(d)Construction of 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is completed and commissioning is in advanced stage. Stage-wise review is done and clearance being given by Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) for executing the critical activities. Presently, Sodium filling followed by Fuel loading in this reactor is proposed to be taken up after obtaining clearance from Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), prior to first approach to criticality by March’2017.

Present status of FRFCF : Construction of plant buildings in the nuclear island has commenced and construction of infrastructure building works is in an advanced stage. Procurement of long delivery high value items is in progress and a few items have arrived.
Present status of DFRP : Project is in advanced stage of construction and commissioning which is expected to be completed by December 2016.
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