R&D Challenges in the Technology of Fast Breeder Reactors for Energy Security in the Country

Growing energy demands for domestic and industrial sectors have paved the way for exploring both conventional and nonconventional energyresources. Among the various energy resources, nuclear energy is the foremost and secure, and the second half of the 20th century has received about 17%
of the power generation from nuclear power plants, almost equaling to hydro power'. Some 440 nuclear power plants are operating worldwide with more than 8000 power reactor-years of experience. Rising oil prices, conservation
of energy resources, environmental degradation with CO, released from fossil fuels, ate some key points making the world to focus on nuclear energy as reliable and sust-ainable source of energy. At the end of the 20th century, the installed nuclear power capacity is expected to be about 350 to 360 GW (e)contribruting to about 16% of total power generation'. Nuclear power has achieved Maturity, however, 90% of the total operating nuclear power is
accounted from the industrialized countries.