NE ENERGY BUREAU
MUMBAI, APR 9
India has moved a decisive step forward in its clean energy ambitions with the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam achieving criticality, a landmark moment in the country’s three-stage nuclear energy programme.
At the heart of this breakthrough is the contribution of the Godrej Enterprises Group, whose precision engineering division delivered critical reactor components, reinforcing India’s push for energy self-reliance through indigenous technology.
- PFBR Achieves Criticality, Marking Major Milestone in Nuclear Roadmap
- Godrej Engineers Key High-Precision Components for Reactor Core Systems
- Indigenous Innovation Drives Energy Self-Reliance & Low-Carbon Future
- Fast Breeder Tech Unlocks Thorium Potential & Closed Fuel Cycle
- 22-Year Effort Signals Strategic Shift in India’s Energy Security
Engineering Marvels Powering the Reactor Core
Godrej manufactured and supplied:
- Large Rotating Plug (LRP)
- Small Rotating Plug (SRP)
- Sodium Pump Shaft
These complex systems combine massive scale with micron-level precision:
- Rotating plugs span up to 8 metres in diameter, weighing nearly 120 tonnes, enabling 360-degree precision alignment for fuel insertion
- The 10-metre sodium pump shaft operates at 500+ RPM in liquid sodium, demanding extreme reliability and balance
Notably, these components were designed and built in India without prior domestic reference, marking a true first-of-its-kind engineering success.
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Kalpakkam’s Defining Moment: India’s Fast Breeder Reactor Achieves First Criticality
Indigenous Innovation Meets Extreme Conditions
The project required overcoming formidable technical challenges, including:
- Development of specialised bearing systems
- Advanced surface treatment for friction control
- High-performance gear systems under seismic conditions
All solutions were developed and manufactured indigenously, showcasing India’s growing strength in high-end nuclear engineering.
The components were supplied to Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited, the government enterprise spearheading the PFBR project.
Fast Breeder Reactors — Game Changer for Energy Security
The PFBR milestone represents the culmination of 22 years of sustained effort and a critical step in India’s nuclear roadmap.
Fast breeder reactors:
- Enable a closed fuel cycle
- Use plutonium from PHWRs to generate more fissile material
- Unlock utilisation of India’s vast thorium reserves (~846,000 tonnes)
Typically, four PHWRs can fuel one fast breeder reactor, amplifying efficiency and sustainability.
Scaling India’s Low-Carbon Energy Future
India currently operates 19 Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs), with 10 more 700 MWe units sanctioned, positioning nuclear energy as a key pillar in the clean energy transition.
The PFBR’s success strengthens:
- Long-term energy security
- Low-carbon power generation
- Strategic independence in nuclear technology
Industry’s Role in Nation-Building
Through advanced engineering and manufacturing, Godrej Enterprises Group continues to contribute to critical national infrastructure, supporting sectors vital to India’s growth and resilience.