Power: Britain´s fast breeder: The Dounreay test reactor experience has instilled confidence in its designers to press for commercialization

The British nuclear energy program has progressed to a point in fast-breeder reactor development where engineers are confident that construction of a commercial unit should be the next step. Breeder reactor systems are now much more proven than were thermal reactor power stations when they were introduced commercially. Much of breeder operation and test experience is based on the Dounreay test reactor (60 MW) (Fig. 1) and a prototype fast breeder (600 MW). At present, there remains only the need for a public inquiry on whether to proceed with breeder reactors.