‘No danger of nuclear leaks from K2, K3’

Experts debunk misconceptions about nuclear power plant hazards at seminar

KARACHI: A seminar at the Karachi Press Club (KPC) posed the question of whether nuclear power is a sustainable solution to the energy crises being faced by the country.

The slogan of the seminar was 'Nuclear Power Need of the Hour' and was organised by the KPC, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the Daily Times.



Dr Ansar Parvez, former chairperson of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and advisor to the National Command Authority and PAEC, gave a detailed presentation on the K2 and K3 power plants that are going to be built with the assistance of China.

According to him the plants would be built according to the latest designs, with radiation control devices installed. He added that there would be no danger of nuclear leaks from the plants.

Dr Parvez went on to say that the energy produced by both the plants would be 1,130 megawatts, with a per unit cost of Rs7, which is the cheapest per unit rate of electricity in the country.

According to him, had there been sufficient nuclear power projects constructed in Pakistan, there would be no issue of circular debt, as what is currently faced by the government. He also said that both the plants would desalinate 10 million gallons of water on a daily basis, which could solve the issue of access to clean water for the residents of Karachi.





Clarifying certain misunderstandings about nuclear plants, he said that fears of hazards due to radiation from the plant were baseless. International standards of distance between a nuclear plant and nearest localities had been met, according to him.

Dr Parvez further added that KANUPP and the Chashma nuclear power plant have been operational for the past 45 years and there has been no sign of any leakage of hazardous radiations from the plants.

The Fukushima nuclear power plant was installed to prevent 12-metre-high tsunamis from wreaking havoc in the city but the emergence of a 14 metre tsunami was the cause of the plant's destruction, according to Dr Parvez. He explained that no safety measure can overcome the destruction of a tsunami above 12 metres.

Sarfaraz Abidi CEO of Leaf said that the only reliable, affordable and sustainable sources of energy are nuclear power plants and renewable power resources.

The seminar was concluded on the point that K-2 and K-3 are safe and reliable as per the needs of the people and must be built to overcome the energy crisis.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 8^th,  2015.