Rapid Fire
HALEU-Thorium Fuel
- 26 Mar 2026
- 2 min read
A study by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre(BARC) has raised concerns about the suitability of HALEU-thorium (HALEU-Th) fuel for India’s reactors, even as the country explores boosting nuclear energy using its vast thorium reserves under the three-stage nuclear programme.
- About: HALEU-Th combines enriched uranium (U-235) with thorium, where thorium acts as a fertile material that can generate fissile U-233, supporting long-term fuel sustainability.
- Benefits: Simulation results showed that HALEU-Th provides higher burn-up (energy output) and produces significantly less radioactive waste compared to conventional fuels.
- Concern: The study warned that HALEU-Th reduces the effectiveness of reactor safety systems (shutdown rods) and would require significant design modifications, making it impractical for immediate use.
- Global Development: It is developed for advanced reactors and Small Modular Reactor (SMRs), with ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) fuel tested in the US and explored in India for possible use in Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor(PHWRs) after a policy push like the SHANTI Act.
| Read more: HALEU Fuel Cycle as an Alternative to FBRs |
