The 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) massive turbine generator at Kalpakkam. | Photo credit: R. Ragu
A fast breeder reactor (FBR) gets its name from two features. First, it “produces” more nuclear fuel than it consumes. Second, it uses fast neutrons—those that have not been slowed down—to initiate nuclear fission.
France began building the FBR called Superphénix in 1976. After spending around $10 billion, the reactor went critical in 1985 and commercial in 1986. It operated for 11 years. However, it produced less than 20% of the energy it was capable of producing, and overall covered less than 1% of France’s electricity demand. Superphénix also spent 25 months undergoing technical repairs and did not run for 66 months due to political reasons. Also around this time, the spot price of uranium fell from $40 a pound to $15, erasing her rationale for saving uranium.
Published – 12 Apr 2026 01:50 IST
