ISLAMABAD: The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 has achieved the milestone of operating continuously for a year, becoming the second electricity generation plant of the country to achieve this landmark, second to Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) Unit-4, said Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) on Saturday.

It said the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-4 made the record a few days ago. PAEC operates four nuclear power plants at Chashma, near Mianwali, that collectively generate about 1, 330 megawatts of electricity.

PAEC said: “The achievement of C-2 and C-4 Nuclear Power Plants is due to the acumen and hard work of its teams of scientists, engineers and technicians. Currently, Chashma Nuclear Power Plants (C-1 to C-4) are producing electricity at an average tariff of Rs11.16 per kilowatt while C-2 has been operating at above 99 percent of capacity factor.”

PAEC Chairman Mohammad Naeem congratulated the member power and his team at the Chashma Nuclear Power Generation Station (CNPGS) for consecutive achievements of continuous operation of C-2 and C-4 NPPs for a year and ensuring all safety parameters even in the difficult time of Covid-19 pandemic.

A statement issued by PAEC quoted him as saying that these historic achievements are due to the continuous support of Strategic Plans Division (SPD) and the government.

Says Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 is the second electricity generation plant in country to achieve this landmark

The stability of the national grid maintained by National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) has also played a pivotal role in continuous operation of the NPPs for which the company deserves felicitations.

The chairman said PAEC is striving to achieve United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like producing clean energy and socioeconomic development of the country in health, agriculture and quality education.

The commission plans to meet these goals by contributing 8,800 megawatts of reliable, clean and cost-effective electricity by the year 2030.

Chashma Unit-2 (C-2) is one of the top performing power plants in the country. Capacity factor of C-2 throughout its operation remained above 99pc.

In the first quarter of 2017, it achieved the status of 11th best performing plant among 41 WANO-TC nuclear power plants in the world. In 2016, C-2 also achieved a 302 days continuous operation record.

Last refueling outage (RFO) of C-2 was performed indigenously by PAEC engineers and technicians, saving millions of rupees.

PAEC has an enviable 48 years operational experience since Kanupp-1 was connected to the national grid in 1972. PAEC’s Kanupp-2 and 3 are expected to connect to the national grid next year.

Published in Dawn, July 12th, 2020