ISLAMABAD: The Pak­­istan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has been issued the licence to construct the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5).

The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) issued the licence to build C-5, the largest plant producing electricity through nuclear power with a capacity of 1200 MWe, according to a PNRA press release issued on Thursday.

The PAEC applied for the licence in April of this year, along with the Pre­liminary Safety Assess­m­ent Report and other documents about the design and operational aspects of nuclear safety, radiation protection, emergency pre­­­paredness, waste management, and nuclear security.

After a thorough review and asse­ssment of and fulfilment of regulatory requirements in compliance with the relevant national and international standards, the licence was issued, the PNRA press release stated.

C-5 is an advanced thi­rd-genera­tion Pressu­rised Water Reactor of Chinese Hualong design, having active and passive safety features, including a double-shell containment and reactor-filtered venting system. It has a lifespan of 60 years.

This is the third nuclear power plant in Pakistan with this design. Two other plants, Karachi Nuclear Power Plants units 2 and 3, are alr­eady operating successfully and adding electricity to the national grid.

The C-5 has already been approved by the executive committee of the National Economic Council. The plant will be built at a cost of $3.7 billion.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2024