• The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has signed a contract.
• The share of nuclear power in the national energy mix has grown at a sharp pace in recent years.
• Nuclear was the cheapest source of energy in December with an average fuel cost of Rs1.10/kWh.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has signed a contract for the development of another unit at Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (C-5), which would generate 1,200MW clean and cheap energy.

Sources said the plant is expected to commence commercial operations in seven years from the financial close.

The China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the development partner, has agreed to provide financing for up to 85 per cent of the estimated 21 billion RMB plant, subject to the sovereign guarantee.

The share of nuclear power in the national energy mix has grown at a sharp pace in recent years. With a share of 27.1 per cent, it was the largest contributor to the energy pie in December.

Hydel, coal and local gas were the other main sources with respective contributions of 20.4 per cent, 18.1 per cent and 15.1 per cent.
The quantum of nuclear power generation grew 47.5 per cent in December on a year-on-year basis, thanks to the addition of new capacities. In terms of the fuel cost alone, nuclear was the cheapest source of energy in December with an average of only Rs1.10/kWh against Rs11.50 for coal and Rs10.50 for local gas.

PAEC is responsible for planning, implementation, operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants. At present, the total nuclear installed capacity is 3,530MW, comprising four nuclear power plants at Chashma site (C-1 (325MW), C-2 (325MW), C-3 (340MW) and C-4 (340MW) and two nuclear power plants at the Karachi site K-2 (1,100MW) and K-3 (1,100MW).

One nuclear plant, KANUPP, has been shut down (originally 137MW, de-rated to 100MW). Besides C-5 of 1,200MW, PAEC is also setting up two new power plants — K-4 and K-5 — of 1,400MW each in Karachi.
In addition, it is establishing two nuclear plants — M-1 and M-2 — of 1,400MW each in Muzaffargarh, Punjab.

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