PAEC finally plans public hearing on nuclear power plants

Saher Baloch Published January 18, 2015

KARACHI: To counter allegations against a nuclear power plant to be built in Karachi, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission is finally going to hold a public gathering by “the end of February or beginning of March,” according to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission chairman.

Speaking at a press meeting at a hotel, PAEC Chairman Dr Ansar Parvez said the nuclear project “will not impact the environment”.

In a presentation detailing basic information regarding the project, and the time and cost it will take to be built, project’s general manager Azfar Minhaj at the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (Kanupp) said the project is “getting undue attention because anything related to nuclear power is considered a threat by the people.”

Read: Safety concerns over nuclear power plants project site

Since its inception in November 2013, the construction of the power plants K-1 and K-2 to be built by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) near the old Kanupp has drawn much criticism. It was largely directed towards the PAEC’s lack of concern for the environmental hazards.

A group of rights activists also took the PAEC to court after it failed to call a public hearing to clear the air about the project and its possible impact on the environment as well as human life. Their main concern was about the distance between the nuclear power plants and residential areas, said to be 30 kilometres only. Looking at these reservations, the Sindh High Court stayed the project construction until a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is done and presented.

In this regard, Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) carried out an evaluation and safety analysis in January 2014, the PAEC chairman informed the audience comprising reporters and bloggers.

This is the first time the PAEC spoke out about the issue since the filing of the case in the Sindh High Court.

When the chairman was asked if they had made a mistake by not holding a public hearing earlier, he said: “We couldn’t hold the public hearing due to some contractual bindings and some political issues. But we are here now to answer all the relevant queries about the project.”

Taking his presentation forward, Mr Minhaj said the site chosen for the new project, which was adjacent to Kanupp, had been studied thoroughly.

“Seismically, it is protected against tsunamis and flooding, sub-soil conditions and absence of ground water. Our detailed seismic and tsunami studies have confirmed that there is a wide margin of safety in the project,” he claimed.

He added: “Chernobyl-like situation cannot occur in Karachi, because the design of the reactor has additional barriers to ensure that the radius during an emergency situation will remain confined to the low population density areas around the site, which can be evacuated.”

The chairman said that the plant would add more than 2,000 megawatts to the current electricity supply “which will be a big boost for the country’s as well as Karachi’s economy”.

According to the data provided by the commission, worldwide 71 nuclear power plants are under construction. Of them, 25 are in China, nine in Russia, six in India, five each in the United States and South Korea and four in Pakistan and the remaining 17 plants are in 10 other countries.

Published in Dawn, January 18th, 2015

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Nam

Jan 18, 2015 08:43am

There is energy crisis in Pakistan and in particular Karachi. Pakistan is fortunate to have subsidized advanced technology nuclear plants installed by China. The environmental impacts are Zero and economic impact on Pakistan and Karachi are enoumous in positive direction; Any delay is disaster. Nuclear plants all over world in dense populated areas. Safety safe guards are part of plants. If successful, Pakistan should have two similar plants in each province and Karachi should be added with another 3-4 Plants to keep output close to 10000MW by all resources. Good work NS.

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waqas

Jan 18, 2015 12:13pm

In past, PAEC has operated nuclear power plants successfully for more than 40 years. Public hearing will be fruitful in removing public fears.

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kashif

Jan 18, 2015 12:25pm

Problem is all the disaster management plans are on paper. From trained staff to public awareness to required tools and equipment. For surely there is will no or poor management and maintenance of such a sophisticated plants. It will lead to disaster for sure for the citizens. In the light of the history and present casual attitude of our, I won't buy this idea at the cost of citizens health and lives and already destroyed environment.

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Abbas Ali

Jan 18, 2015 12:49pm

Certain lobbies are trying to make it an issue. Those lobbies receive funding from overseas, and try to make a fuss about everything, be it hanging, environment, and human rights. These lobbies firmly believe that whatever is good for goose is definitely not good for gander. We should make decisions based on our unique requirements. Risk is inherent in every decision.

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Abbas Ali

Jan 18, 2015 12:49pm

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khanm

Jan 18, 2015 12:49pm

We must not let ourselves be swept off our feet in horror at the danger of nuclear power. Nuclear power is not infinitely dangerous. It's just dangerous, much as coal mines, petrol repositories, fossil-fuel burning.... Folks.. In Pakistan NUCLEAR PLANT HAS KILLED NO ONE THAN THE TERRORIST..Nuclear plant is the answers .If we are to meet the growing electricity demand in Pakistan...

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Chief

Jan 18, 2015 01:15pm

We should solar power every village and introduce tax breaks for people to instal solar panels on their home. The home owner can then sell excess power to the power companies. Villages should collect rain water - it's simple things that can be introduced which can help the country. Even introduce solar power street lights. We need to get away from nuclear power as they are dangerous, look at what happened in Japan, also how is the nuclear waste being handled. Again it's simple things we can introduce and make the country less polluted. Please plant more trees.

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AsR

Jan 18, 2015 02:43pm

Build them in Punjab, where the generated electricity will be consumed. Sindh is already energy sufficient and has got one of the largest coal reserves.

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Munir Varraich

Jan 18, 2015 03:50pm

Sweden is very conscious of environment. Earlier in 1990s the government decided to switch to Renewable Energy sources, like wind power, and started closing down one of their nuclear power plant in the southern Sweden. However, later the decision was reversed as nuclear power plants are the cleanest, cheapest source of power generation. The next in line is the hydel.

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Jagajatt

Jan 18, 2015 05:26pm

Can you clearly not see from the picture that the location for plant is near a beach and with pakistan a country with constant threat from floods, this is the worst area for a Nuclear Plant, do you idiot not reliaze in 2012 or 2013 a flood in Japan caused over 2 million people to evacuate. I mean come on, learn something from past mistakes. and that plant was built by Japan, who have quality products, can you honestly say that about a Chinese built product.

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umer salahuddin

Jan 18, 2015 05:32pm

Can those who are objecting nuclear plant tell who is behind all this movement. Whole world is using nuclear power plants to generate electricity and these people are objecting. Karachi is in dire needs of electricity and nulear power plant is best option.

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Biaa

Jan 18, 2015 06:24pm

It is a well proven fact that Pakistan nuclear establishment have been working and improving its efforts for maintaining a fool proof nuclear program and since the last forty years there has been not a single accident to be reported against any nuclear accident in the safety or security domains. Questions and concerns raised by the people can be genuine but in Pakistan the questions over the construction and operation of power plants is getting an over exaggerated hype. It is a good initiative to held a public hearing but time and again clearing the same things and to make people feel confident on the Pakistan's nuclear establishment is just a waste of time. PAEC must continue wth the construction and operation of power plants without an delay/

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saqib

Jan 18, 2015 06:42pm

@kashif A very pessimistic and ignorant comment,there are built in redundant safety systems and the safety record of PAEC is impaccable

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saqib

Jan 18, 2015 06:43pm

@AsR what an unfortunate thing to say

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fida sayani USA

Jan 18, 2015 06:57pm

There is something missing which nobody is talking about and that is the direction of wind. Traditionally wind blows from southwest and in case there is any leak in the reactor which could happen due to many reasons, the nuclear leak will move over Karachi causing immense damage. The best location for the plant will be East of Karachi.

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Usman G.

Jan 18, 2015 10:56pm

This is Usman, Senior Engineer, PAEC. We have been operating nuclear power plants at Chashma since last 11 years and at Karachi K1 since last 40 years. There is not a single time that an accident occurred that went out of control. I'm electrical engineer by profession. We can't generate hydel energy because of political constraints (you see Kalabagh Dam) and lack of funds. Thermal generation is also out of question due to huge import bill. The only viable option left is Nuclear energy. Load shedding is acceptable to you but not nuclear power? Please try to see the people who are behind the opposition side. These are none other than the ones who made Kalbagh Dam a political issue and in return got their pockets filled.

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