According to the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China has formally delivered two Hualong-1 nuclear power units to Pakistan, which were developed using China’s homegrown third-generation nuclear power technology.
The CNNC reported that with the inception of Unit 3 of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (Kanupp) last week, the two million-kilowatt Hualong-1 units K-2 and K-3 were both officially delivered to Pakistan and put into operation.
CNNC revealed that it has constructed two nuclear power stations in Pakistan, totalling six nuclear power units. As per media reports, the Karachi K-2/K-3 nuclear power plant is Pakistan’s largest nuclear power plant and the country’s first million-kilowatt-grade single-unit power project.
The K-2 and K-3 units have produced nearly 20 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity since they began commercial operation, contributing to Pakistan’s social and economic development, the company said.
Meanwhile, the CNNC reported that the project created more than 60,000 jobs for locals throughout its entire life cycle.
While speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Kanupp, prime minister Shehbaz Sharif said that K-3 was a step forward in cooperation with Pakistan’s trusted friend China. He congratulated the Pakistani and Chinese scientists and workers who worked tirelessly to complete the project.
The premier stated that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission staff who worked on the project would be invited to the Prime Minister’s Office for public recognition. In light of the $27 billion energy import bill, the prime minister stated that Pakistan needed alternative and inexpensive energy sources such as solar, wind, hydel, and nuclear.
He added that Pakistan is gifted with vast resources, with the potential to generate 60,000 megawatts through hydropower. However, he was disappointed that the power generation capacity was only 10,000 megawatts.
In addition, he recalled that the Kanupp project was completed during the tenure of then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and he expressed gratitude to the Chinese government for its cooperation in this regard.