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Reference data
Page built2026-10-22
Data as ofAugust 2026

Dounreay nuclear power plant DFR

Retired United Kingdom Very small
Gross capacity
15MW

Dounreay nuclear power plant DFR is a fast reactor unit at Dounreay nuclear power plant in United Kingdom rated at 15 MW gross. It is retired. Commercial operation began 1 Oct 1962.

Specification
Reactor type Fast reactor (FBR)
Modelnot disclosed
SizeVery small20 MWe or less
CoolantLiquid sodium or lead
ModeratorNone
Gross capacity15MW
Net capacity (reference)11MW
Net capacity (design)14MW
Thermal output60MWt
NSSS vendornot on record
Typical enrichment15–20% fissile, or plutonium
Ownership & location
SiteDounreay nuclear power plant
UnitDFR
CountryUnited Kingdom
OwnerUnited Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority100%
OperatorUnited Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority
Coordinates 58.5805, -3.7374
Fuel chain for this unit
Fuel form
Mixed oxide or metallic fuel
Enrichment
15–20% fissile, or plutonium
Who makes this assembly
Upstream

Enriched fuel means this unit sits downstream of five conversion plants and four enrichment operators holding 88% of world capacity between the top three.

RosatomUrencoCNNCOrano
Conversion
AEOICamecoCNNCCNNCCNNCConverDynOranoRosatomTVELWestinghouse
Fabricator capability is recorded against reactor type and model line, not against named units, utilities do not publish fuel contracts. See the fuel chain.

Timeline

  1. 1 Mar 1955Construction start
  2. 14 Nov 1959First criticality
  3. 1 Oct 1962Grid connection
  4. 1 Oct 1962Commercial operation
  5. 1 Mar 1977Permanent shutdown

Other units at Dounreay nuclear power plant

UnitStatusGross MW
Dounreay nuclear power plant PFR Retired 250

Sources

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