India to test fast breeder reactor in September

India expects to conduct a systems test on its 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor in September.

"PFBR construction work will be over by September this year. Then we will start testing various systems thoroughly before the reactor goes critical. We will test the various pipes with air," said Prabhat Kumar, project director at Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd.

He said the testing of the systems is expected to be completed by December or January 2013.

The fast breeder reactor, which breeds more material for a nuclear fission reaction than it consumes, is one of the key projects of India's three-stage nuclear power programme. India became the sixth country to have such a technology in 1985.

"Construction work effectively started in 2005. And in seven years' time, the construction work would be completed fully," he said.