Prototype fast breeder reactor | Nuclear paradox

What Happened

France's Superphénix fast breeder reactor, built starting 1976 at $10 billion cost, became operational in 1985 but underperformed significantly. Over eleven years, it produced less than 20% of designed capacity and supplied under 1% of France's electricity. The reactor faced 25 months of technical repairs and 66 months of political shutdowns. Simultaneously, uranium prices dropped from $40 to $15 per pound, eliminating economic justification for the fuel-breeding technology.

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