Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has achieved another milestone by successfully completing Dome Placement of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-Ill named K-3 near Karachi. Yet another nuclear power plant K-2 in the same vicinity, which is ahead of K-3 in construction schedule, has already achieved this milestone and would start generating electricity in next couple of years.
Jointly, these twin nuclear power plants would contribute 2200 MW of crucial electric power to the national grid enhancing share of the nuclear power substantially in the energy mix of the country. Construction of these nuclear power plants is indeed a tribute to scientists, engineers and technicians of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and our all-weather friend China.
Over a decade ago, the Energy Security Plan 2005 set a target of 8800 MW of nuclear power by 2030 and at that time it seemed to be a herculean task. However, thanks to the will and determination of PAEC and willingness of China to extend necessary cooperation, the target of 8800 MW nuclear power capacity appears achievable now. Right now, PAEC is contributing over 1400 MW to the national grid.
The nuclear power generation is very efficient, environment friendly and economical source of energy. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission is intelligently using nuclear technology for power generation to resolve the soaring energy deficiency in the country. It has been constructing new nuclear power plants with the assistance of China under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Chashma Nuclear Power complex contains four operational Chinese-origin power plants, i.e. C-1, C-2, C-3 and C-4. They have been successfully contributing to the national Grid with an excellent performance since 2000, 2011, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The four units at Chashma collectively supply over 1330 MW to the national grid with capacity factors of more than 95 percent.
Pakistan started its civilian nuclear power program very early with the construction of a 137MWe nuclear power plant named KANUPP near Karachi, which started operation in 1972. Because of this power plant, Pakistan is considered among the pioneers of nuclear power technology in the developing world. PAEC has enviable record of running KANUPP safely after completing its design life of 30 years.
PAEC is confident that its nuclear power plants would continue its tradition of operation at low cost, high capacity and availability factors and would contribute to reduce the loadshedding which is one of the major problems of country.
The present economic competitiveness of nuclear power in Pakistan, led by the successful operation of four nuclear power plants at Chashma has been remarkable. It is to mention here that as per NEPRA data, electricity tariff of Chashma Unit-1 is amongst the lowest when compared with fossil fuel based electricity generation plants.
The Nuclear Power plants are not sensitive to seasonal variation and are a source of reliable energy. The nuclear power plants are characterized as base-load plants because of having high capacity factors. A nuclear power plant can run uninterrupted for years using fuel stored at the plant site.
Based on NEPRA statistics, one can claim that if all power plants in Pakistan operated, or could operate, at the combined average capacity factors of Chashma units, there would practically have been no loadshedding in the country. For these plants to generate electricity equivalent to Nuclear Power Plants, their installed capacity has to be enhanced to almost double, thereby increasing their capital cost thus affecting their tariff.
Pakistan set itself on the road to self-reliance of human resource development institutes, training institutes, design organizations, research facilities, and manufacturing workshops. PAEC personnel have gained significant knowledge and experience to perform Operation and Maintenance of nuclear power plants.
Participation of PAEC and other local organizations will increase in future nuclear power projects. Pakistan will also be able to expand its industrial production-base through indigenous manufacturing of various nuclear power plant components, increasing capabilities for self-reliance in nuclear power technology.
Building and operating nuclear power plants is very important for the interest of the people of Pakistan because our country is suffering from severe energy deficiency and needs more electricity. Nuclear power plants are built and operated according to strict nuclear safety standards. Over more than four decades, PAEC maintains an enviable safety record. There are well-documented emergency plans drawn up in collaboration with national and provincial bodies to deal with any eventuality for all our facilities.
Our people in the rural and urban areas across the country have been affected by loadshedding. Elimination of loadshedding can be done by developing electrical power plants. To boost our industrial production and economic growth, nuclear power sector of the country is determined to make every effort to overcome the prevailing crisis by exploiting all the available resources and avenues of power generation in the shortest possible time.
The two new power plants K-2 and K-3 at Karachi are a good step forward to meet country's industrial and domestic demands of electricity. Three large size generation-Ill Nuclear power plants are also in the planning stage.
These projects will not only provide employment for about thousands of individuals but also result in socio-economic uplift. Through employment, these plants will lead to a positive change in the social activities including health and education of general public and will improve their living standard. The power plants at Karachi site are also capable to provide desalinated water to people of Karachi.
These nuclear power projects will not only enrich our nuclear power technology experience but will have an impact on several areas of economic and social uplift of the country. Work on construction of K-2 and K-3 in Karachi is going on in full swing, which would add 2200 MW of electricity to the grid. The government of Pakistan has tasked the Commission to draw up plans to go beyond the target so as to contribute further in the economic development of the country and PAEC, without an iota of doubt, has the capacity to undertake the mission successfully.
There are very few institutions and entities in Pakistan that are doing their mandated and assigned job with utmost devotion and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission is, indeed, one of them. PAEC commands deep respect of the nation because of the hard work and services of its scientists, engineers and technicians.
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