The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has developed the design for a 300 MWe Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) that is capable of generating most of its power from thorium-based fuel, as a technology demonstrator.
DAE has been operating a research reactor 'Kamini' at Kalpakkam using uranium-233 fuel obtained from irradiated thorium since 1996, minister of science and technology and earth sciences Prithviraj Chavan informed the Rajya Sabha today.
DAE, he said, has undertaken a range of activities pertaining to systems and technologies relevant for thorium utilisation during the XIth plan period. It has also completed the design and development of main nuclear systems of AHWR, he added.
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