8,800MW of atomic power to be injected

Two reactors are expected to be commissioned by 2016.

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) envisages generating 8,800 megawatts (MW) by 2030 through nuclear power reactors.

Two nuclear power plants, 340MW each, were under construction at Chashma and are expected to be put into operation by 2016 with Chinese assistance.

The construction of the aforementioned power plants became possible after a long-standing agreement, while three other nuclear reactors in commission were performing well.

“An amount of Rs34.6 billion has been set aside for the Chashma nuclear power plants, C3 and C4. The total cost of the two projects is Rs190 billion, which will be partially funded by Rs136-billion Chinese loan.”

The government had so far spent Rs62.4 billion on the project, which was capable of producing 660MW. With the Rs34.6-billion additional spending, the government will be able to complete almost half of the work by June 2013.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 24^th, 2013.

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