Pakistan inaugurates a new nuclear power plant

(AGI) - Karachi, Dec 28 - Pakistan inaugurated a new nuclear power plant in the country's biggest Punjab province. The Chashma III Nuclear Plant it set to provide 340 MW of electricity to the energy-starved nation. Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said the project is reflective of closer cooperation between Pakistan and China in science and technology. Pakistan has plans for at least three more nuclear power plants namely Chashma IV nuclear power plant, which will be completed by 2017, and Karachi Nuclear Power Projects K-2 and K-3 that would add a total of 8,800 megawatts by 2030 as envisaged by the atomic energy commission. The power projects are joint collaboration between the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Prime Minister Sharif urged PAEC to take all possible measures to strengthen safety of existing and future power plants as per international standards. He expressed satisfaction that Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority has an effective mechanism to ensure safety of all plants. Muhammad Naeem, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) said on the occasion fuel for Chashma power plants are being imported from China. Civil society groups in Pakistan have been opposing the government?s ambitious plans for nuclear energy, particularly expansion of nuclear reactors along the coast in the country?s biggest Karachi city. Critics argue the government is enticed to proceed with construction of two additional 1,100 MW nuclear power plants of untested design, which are China?s first export of reactors to another country, because of the $ 6.8 billion soft loan offered by Beijing. (AGI)
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