Islamabad, Dec 30 (NationPress) Pakistan’s nuclear initiatives and its ballistic missile development endeavors have frequently been scrutinized by international organizations due to the risks they pose to both the region and the global community. This has led to superpowers, including the US, imposing sanctions on entities involved in such programs. Nevertheless, Islamabad appears steadfast in its pursuit of nuclear advancement, as it has now authorized the development of its most extensive power plant.
Recently, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has granted approval and issued a license for the construction of the nation's largest nuclear facility, the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5). This license was issued by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), permitting the establishment of C-5, which is designed to have a capacity of at least 1200 MWe. This approval positions the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant as the largest producer of nuclear electricity in the country.
According to information shared by PNRA, PAEC submitted its license application in April of this year. The application included a detailed Preliminary Safety Assessment Report along with other pertinent documents that outlined aspects such as design, radiation protection, waste management, nuclear safety, emergency preparedness, and nuclear security.
“Following a meticulous review and validation of compliance with requisite regulatory standards, both national and international, the license was granted,” PNRA stated.
The current C-5 construction project features a third-generation Pressurized Water Reactor based on Chinese Hualung design. It incorporates a double-shell containment system and a reactor-filtered venting mechanism, boasting a lifespan of a minimum of 60 years.
It is noteworthy that the Chinese Hualung design for C-5 has already been utilized in two other nuclear power plants in Pakistan, making Chashma Nuclear Power Plant the third facility utilizing this design.
“Existing Karachi Nuclear Power Plant units 2 and 3 are already operational and contributing electricity to the national grid,” PNRA communicated.
The total estimated cost for C-5 has been set at $3.7 billion and has received approval from the executive committee of the National Economic Council.
Currently, Pakistan’s nuclear energy capacity stands at approximately 3,530 MW, meeting around 27 percent of the nation’s energy needs.
The Chashma Nuclear Power Generating Station (CNPGS) already accommodates at least two Nuclear Power Plants that generate a combined total of 325 MW through C-1 & C-2, and 340 MW through C-3 & C-4. With the inclusion of C-5, this facility will emerge as the largest in the country, achieving an electricity generation capacity of at least 1,200 MW.
Experts are optimistic about this development, considering it both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable.
“Nuclear energy is regarded as safe due to the robust active and passive safety mechanisms in place at the plants, dependable for ensuring energy security and year-round availability, economical regarding cost-effectiveness, and environmentally friendly since it emits zero carbon,” they commented.
