India's Kakrapar-1 reactor is the world's first reactor which uses thorium rather than depleted uranium to achieve power flattening across the reactor core. India, which has about 25% of the world's thorium reserves, is developing a 300 MW prototype of a thorium-based Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR).
The prototype is expected to be fully operational by 2011, following which five more reactors will be constructed. Considered to be a global leader in thorium-based fuel, India's new thorium reactor is a fast-breeder reactor and uses a plutonium core rather than an accelerator to produce neutrons.
As accelerator-based systems can operate at sub-criticality they could be developed too, but that would require more research.India currently envisages meeting 30% of its electricity demand through thorium-based reactors by 2050.
By which time barefooted Americans will be struggling to coax a few kilowatts out of solar panels and preying to their lord and savior, Barak Hussein Obama.