The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has officially received a license from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) to construct the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5) in Mianwali.
The new plant, with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts electric (MWe), will be the largest nuclear power facility in Pakistan, marking a significant step in the country’s energy expansion.
The PNRA issued the construction license after a rigorous evaluation of the application submitted by PAEC earlier in April 2024. The application included essential safety reports, nuclear design details, radiation protection plans, emergency preparedness, waste management strategies, and nuclear security protocols.
The approval followed a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with both national and international standards.
Groundbreaking ceremony and Pakistan-China cooperation
The groundbreaking ceremony for Chashma-5 was held in July 2024, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attending the event. During his address, the Prime Minister praised the Chashma-5 project as a symbol of the strong cooperation between Pakistan and China, highlighting the significant contributions of both countries in promoting clean, efficient, and affordable energy.
He emphasized that the nuclear energy partnership was a model for other countries to emulate, underscoring the importance of China’s continued support in advancing Pakistan’s energy infrastructure.
Prime Minister Sharif also expressed gratitude to China for its unwavering commitment to helping Pakistan meet its growing energy demands. He described the project as a “huge milestone” that would significantly contribute to Pakistan’s energy security and development.
State-of-the-art technology and design
Chashma-5 will feature a third-generation Chinese Hualong design, a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) with both active and passive safety features. These include a double-shell containment and a reactor-filtered venting system, designed to ensure maximum safety. The plant is expected to have a lifespan of 60 years, contributing to Pakistan’s long-term energy sustainability.
This is the third nuclear power plant in Pakistan to adopt the Hualong technology. Two similar plants, Karachi Nuclear Power Plants Units 2 and 3, are already operational, contributing significantly to the national power grid.
Total Capacity and role in Pakistan’s Energy Mix
The Chashma Nuclear Power Plant, which already includes four operational units, plays a vital role in Pakistan’s energy generation.
The existing Chashma units (C-1, C-2, C-3, and C-4) have a combined installed capacity of 1,340 MW. These plants, with capacities ranging from 325 MW to 340 MW each, started operations between 2000 and 2017, helping reduce Pakistan’s reliance on fossil fuels and increasing the share of nuclear energy in the national grid.
The addition of Chashma-5 will further bolster Pakistan’s nuclear energy sector, bringing the country’s total nuclear power generation capacity to 3,530 MW. This will account for approximately 8.1% of Pakistan’s total installed electricity-generating capacity.
Chashma-5 project costs and future prospects
The Chashma-5 nuclear power plant is expected to be constructed at an estimated cost of $3.7 billion. Once operational, it will provide a significant boost to Pakistan’s energy supply, with its 1,200 MW capacity helping to address the country’s ongoing electricity shortages.
As part of the broader nuclear energy strategy, the PAEC continues to explore ways to enhance the country’s energy security, with the Chashma-5 project marking a critical step in this direction.-