Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday inaugurated the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 (K-2). The latest project has been completed with the Chinese assistance.
The Premier unveiled the plaque in Islamabad at a virtual ceremony simultaneously held in Karachi and Beijing as well. The 1,100 MW K-2 Nuclear Power Plant is a state-of-the-art Generation III nuclear power plant equipped with state-of-the-art safety and security arrangements.
Addressing the ceremony, the Prime Minister said he is happy to inaugurate K-2 Nuclear Power Plant, established with the Chinese cooperation, on the special occasion of 70th anniversary of Pakistan-China diplomatic ties.
He said the plan will provide 1100 megawatts of clean energy to Pakistan, which is of vital importance for Pakistan that has been facing adverse impacts global warming.
The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the project will greatly benefit Pakistan in respect of technology transfer and training of the youth in addition to supply of clean energy.
He said Pakistan and China have a unique relationship, which is getting fortified with every passing day. He said the people of Pakistan have emotional attachment with China believing that it always helps us in the hour of need. He emphasized on further enhancement of people to people contacts.
On Live through TV and satellite connection DG IAEA Rafael Grossi spoke on the occasion appreciating Pakistan’s efforts for the safe use of nuclear energy.
Imran Khan said Pakistan is desirous of learning from China in various sectors, including managing the fast expanding urban centres, poverty alleviation and controlling corruption.
He said the scope of CPEC is being expanded from the connectivity and power sector projects to establishment of economic zones and agricultural technology.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman China Atomic Energy Authority said it is a great occasion that we are inaugurating the K-2 power plant on 70th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China.
He said China and Pakistan have been extending support to each other and cooperating in various fields. He said the two countries have also been cooperating in peaceful use of nuclear energy. He hoped the bilateral cooperation will further expand in days to come.
Background
The plant will start generating electricity from tomorrow to mark the 70th anniversary of the Pakistan-China friendship and 2021 will be the 30th year of nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and China.
The 1,100-megawatt electricity will be immediately transferred to the national grid after the project’s inauguration.
Previously, the K-1 nuclear power plant was installed in the 1960s, and the new plant, which has been installed with the help of China, is equipped with Generation-III (G3) technology, which is one of the most advanced technologies in the world at present.
Back in March, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) had announced that it would connect the K-2 to the national grid for cost-effective and reliable electricity, as reported by the TTI News.
K-2 is the first Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) in Pakistan with a generation capacity of 1,100MWs and its addition to the national grid will help improve the economy.
It is also expected that K-2 would nearly double the generation capacity of nuclear power plants, substantially improving the overall share of nuclear power in the energy mix.
On December 1 last year, the loading of nuclear fuel onto the plant was started after getting a clearance from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA).
NPP had achieved criticality at the end of February and was undergoing certain safety tests and procedures before it could finally be connected to the grid.
Moreover, the other one, named K-3, is also in the completion phase and is expected to be operational by the end of 2021.
6 NPPs Already Online in Pakistan
PAEC is now running six NPPs in the country. Two of them are located in Karachi and are named Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) and K-2 while four sites at Chashma, in the Mianwali district, are named Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1-4.
Earlier, the collective generation capacity of all PAEC-operated NPPs was around 1,400MWs. Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Muhammad Naeem congratulated Member Power Saeedur Rehman and his team on this achievement.
