THE nuclear power generation is a priority in Pakistan despite opposition by some experts because of safety concerns in the wake of Japan’s Fukushima power plant disaster. An allocation of Rs22 billion, including a foreign loan component of Rs5.8 billion, has been proposed for nuclear power generation and related projects for fiscal year in FY2011-12. A sum of Rs2.59 billion will be spent on the on-going project of Chashma Nuclear Power Project Unit-2, known as CHASNUPP-2, while another Rs15.5 billion has been allocated to the two new power projects CHASNUPP-3 and CHASNUPP-4.

Another Rs920 million have been earmarked for a joint pre-project feasibility study of a 1,000 mw nuclear power project to be located at Karachi at the site of the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP). China is likely to build this plant too, as it is expected that China would have an exportable model of this size by 2013.

The KANUPP, with original gross capacity of 137 mw, is in operation since 1972. The plant was refurbished in recent years by local engineers and has a gross de-rated capacity of 98 mw and net capacity of 86 mw for its extended life.

Also, a sum of Rs100 million have been earmarked for improving the KANUPP’s long-term operational capacity, while balance amount of Rs2.89 billion is to be spent on other related schemes, on-going as well as new, including R&D activities.

CHASNUPP-2, built by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) at a cost of Rs51.46 billion including the Chinese loan of $350 million, was inaugurated by the prime minister on May 12. A replica unit of CHASNUPP-1 of 325 mw gross capacity and net output of 300 mw in operation since September 2000, CHASNUPP-2, ( having the same technology and location), has been connected to national grid and will attain full capacity of 300 mw by August 2011.

Likewise, construction of CHASNUPP-3 has commenced at Chashma (Mianwali) near the site of CHASNUPP-2. Work on CHASNUPP-4, will start soon. The main construction contract was signed with China Zhongyuan Engineering Co in June 2010 and both projects are scheduled for completion in eight years.

The designed life span of these plants is 40 years. The two projects, being set up on turnkey basis with Chinese technical and financial aid, are estimated to cost Rs200 billion. Efforts are being made to develop capacity for increased indigenisation for equipment manufacturing and to enhance fuel cycle handling.

KANUPP, CHASNUPP-1 and CHASNUPP-2 are under the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards, while CHASNUPP-3 and CHASNUPP-4 have been planned in accordance with the safeguards agreements with IAEA approved by its board of governors in March this year. Denis Flory, head of the Department of Nuclear Safety at IAEA, during his visit to Islamabad in April, said he was satisfied over the safety measures adopted at nuclear power installations.

The National Energy Security Plan envisages a seven per cent share of nuclear energy in total power generation by 2020, by adding 900 mw by 2015 and another 1,500 mw by 2020. The plan has targeted cumulative share of 8,800 mw nuclear energy by the year 2030. Another ten nuclear power plants of different capacities are proposed to be set up at locations other than Chashma and Karachi.

So far, six sites have been identified: Qadirabad-Balloki Link Canal, Dera Ghazi Khan Canal near Taunsa Barrage, Taunsa-Punjnad Canal, Nara Canal near Sukkur, Pat Feeder Canal near Guddu and Kabul River near Nowshera. Feasibility studies of these projects have been approved.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has determined tariff for nuclear power at cents 5.5, which is much lower compared to power generation using any other energy resource, except hydropower, but including wind energy and solar. Nuclear power plant has much higher availability factor of 96 per cent and net capacity factor of 92 per cent in relation to other power plants based on fossil fuels or renewable energy.

Nuclear power contributes about 14 per cent to the overall power generation of the world. There are 440 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries with a capacity of 378,000 mw.

Currently, over 60 reactors are under construction in 16 countries. Pakistan is the only Muslim country utilising nuclear energy for power generation with 725 mw installed capacity.