World’s most powerful fast neutron reactor starts supplying electricity to grid

Russia has started dispatching electricity from its newest fast neutron reactor to the power grid. Russia is the only country still operating industrial-scale fast neutron reactors.

The BN-800 reactor is the fourth one to be commissioned at the Beloyarsk nuclear power plant in Sverdlovsk region in the Urals. It started contributing to the region’s power grid early on Thursday, reported Rosenergoatom the power plant subsidiary of Russia’s atomic monopoly Rosatom.

The reactor is operating at 35 percent of its potential output and will reach its peak electric power of 880 MW over a period of several months.

“This day marks the power biography of the new reactor and will be considered its birthday from now on,” said Ivan Sidorov, director of the power plant.

Launching BN-800 is a major milestone for the Russian civilian nuclear industry, confirming its mastery of fast neutron technology.

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