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

Dounreay nuclear power plant PFR

Retired United Kingdom Small
Gross capacity
250MW

Dounreay nuclear power plant PFR is a fast reactor unit at Dounreay nuclear power plant in United Kingdom rated at 250 MW gross. It is retired. Commercial operation began 1 Jul 1976.

Specification
Reactor type Fast reactor (FBR)
Modelnot disclosed
SizeSmall300 MWe or less
CoolantLiquid sodium or lead
ModeratorNone
Gross capacity250MW
Net capacity (reference)234MW
Net capacity (design)234MW
Thermal output600MWt
NSSS vendornot on record
Typical enrichment15–20% fissile, or plutonium
Ownership & location
SiteDounreay nuclear power plant
UnitPFR
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Fabricator capability is recorded against reactor type and model line, not against named units, utilities do not publish fuel contracts.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 Jan 1966Construction start
  2. 1 Mar 1974First criticality
  3. 10 Jan 1975Grid connection
  4. 1 Jul 1976Commercial operation
  5. 31 Mar 1994Permanent shutdown

Other units at Dounreay nuclear power plant

UnitStatusGross MW
Dounreay nuclear power plant DFR Retired 15

Sources

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