Pakistan to build unit 5 at the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (C-5), which will be Pakistan’s largest nuclear plant with a capacity of 1,200 MW.
The license has been given to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) to construct the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5). The declaration emerged on the surface a few days ago by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), marking a major step forward in the country’s efforts to bring reforms in the energy sector leading to sustainable developments.
The Chashma-5 plant is set to become Pakistan’s largest nuclear power facility. It is the powerhouse of energy production having a production potential of 1,200 megawatts electric (MWe). The strategic focus of Pakistan is on expanding its use of nuclear energy can be reflected through this initiative to address growing energy demands efficiently and sustainably.
The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission submitted its license application in April 2024, which consisted of a detailed Preliminary Safety Assessment Report along with extensive documentation on
• Nuclear safety
• Radiation protection
• Emergency preparedness
• Waste management
• Security protocols.
Upon completing a meticulous evaluation and in-depth scrutiny to ensure compliance with national and international standards, the PNRA granted its approval for the project.
Chinese-Designed Nuclear Power Unit
The C-5 plant is set to present state-of-the-art third-generation Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) technology, based on the Chinese Hualong design. It is strongly known for its advanced safety features, the plant is laced with both active and passive safety systems including a double-shell containment structure and a reactor-filtered venting system, ensuring maximum safety and reliability. This facility represents a long-term investment in Pakistan’s energy future and the life span of this is almost 60 years.
Chashma-5 will be the third nuclear power plant in Pakistan to use this sophisticated design, following the success of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Units 2 and 3 (KANUPP-2 and KANUPP-3). Both units are already contributing significantly to the national power grid.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has already given approval to this project. And the expected cost of this project is near to $3.7 billion. As soon as it is active, it is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing expanding energy appetite or escalating power needs. Moreover, it will also lead to scaling down over-dependency on fossil fuels and supporting the country’s economic growth.
Beyond meeting immediate energy demands, the successful implementation of this project will lead to solidifying and strengthening Pakistan’s energy security and enhance its reputation for utilizing nuclear technology for peaceful and productive purposes. The PAEC remains at the forefront of driving Pakistan’s energy transformation, paving the way for sustainable development and progress for future generations.
This growth unfolds alongside the growing recognition of nuclear energy as a vital component of the country’s energy mix. Back in March 2024, FM Dar, at the outset of the First Nuclear Energy Summit that took place in Belgium, highly focused on multilateral development institutions to offer substantial financial backing or robust funding for nuclear energy projects as it is highly important for Pakistan security purposes.
Read more: China Delivers Two Hualong-1 Nuclear Power Units To Pakistan
During conversations on video calls, Ishaq Dar highlighted the prohibitive costs of nuclear energy projects for developing nations. Dar stated the benefits of nuclear energy and talked about how it is one of the most efficient and cost-efficient energy sources. But unluckily many developing countries like Pakistan are not fully benefiting from this huge energy source due to lack of financial budget.
Ishaq Dar applauded the commitments and efforts of the Belgian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for putting together the summit for having discussions on nuclear energy. He emphasized the importance of such initiatives, especially for countries like Pakistan, which are highly vulnerable to climate change. Dar referenced the catastrophic 2022 floods as a stark reminder of the urgent need for sustainable energy solutions.
He revealed that Pakistan already operates nuclear energy projects with a cumulative capacity of around 3,000 megawatts, and the government is now ready to move forward with Chashma Nuclear Plant-V following its approval by the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government.
During the summit, Dar engaged in fruitful discussions with representatives from Turkiye, the UAE, Belgium, China, and the IAEA. He specifically praised the active roles played by Pakistan’s Ambassador to Brussels, Amna Baloch, and Aftab Khokhar in Vienna, acknowledging their contributions to advancing Pakistan’s nuclear energy agenda. This new development signals Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging nuclear energy for sustainable growth and resilience against climate challenges.