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Pakistan Ramps Up Nuclear Power to Boost Low-Carbon Electric Power
Construction of 1,100 MW nuclear power reactor K2 unit in Karachi has been completed by China National Nuclear Corporation, according to media reports. A similar reactor unit K3 will add another 1,100 MW of nuclear power to the grid, bringing the total nuclear power installed capacity of Pakistan to 3,630 MW (12% of total power) by 2022. Hualong One reactors being installed in Pakistan are based on improved Westinghouse AP1000 design which is far safer than Chernobyl and Fukushima plants. In addition, Pakistan is also generating 9,389 MW (about 28% of total power) of low-carbon hydroelectric power in response to rising concerns about climate change.
Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP):
With the placement of the outer containment shell, K2 is now ready for containment and heat tests. It is scheduled to begin operations in 2020. It’s built using the Chinese HPR1000 technology, which features a dual containment design, with the outer containment providing additional protection for the primary containment.
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| Karachi Nuclear Power Plant K2 Unit Under Construction. Source: CNNC |
KANUPP is Pakistan's first nuclear power plant where construction started in 1966 in Karachi. The plant was connected to the national grid on 18 October 1972. KANUPP, a pressurized heavy water reactor of 137 MW gross capacity was constructed by Canadian General Electric under a turnkey contract. In 1976, vendor support for spare parts and fuel was withdrawn. The PAEC undertook the task of indigenously manufacturing the required spare parts and nuclear fuel on an emergency basis and, since 1980, KANUPP has successfully operated using fuel manufactured by the PAEC, according to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Here is an except of IAEA's 2018 report on nuclear power in Pakistan:
"Despite the keen interest of Pakistan in building additional nuclear plants, it took more than two decades before the second nuclear power plant started construction. This delay was due to Pakistan’s lack of access to international nuclear technology coupled with a lack of indigenous industrial infrastructure. The construction of Pakistan’s second nuclear plant, C-1, a pressurized water reactor (PWR), was made possible in 1993 with the help of the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The plant was connected to the national grid on 13 June 2000 and has a gross capacity of 325 MW. A third nuclear power plant, C-2, with 325 MW gross capacity started commercial operation on 18 May 2011. The fourth unit, C-3, started commercial operation on 6 December 2016. It has a gross capacity of 340 MW and a similar plant, C-4, sited beside C-3, was connected to the grid on 25 June 2017. The first concrete pours to mark the start of construction of Karachi Coastal Power Project, a project containing two nuclear units, K-2 and K-3 (1100 MW each), based on an improved PWR design, were 20 August 2015 and 31 May 2016, respectively."
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International Energy Agency:
International Energy Agency (IEA) has recently warned that "steep decline in nuclear power would threaten energy security and climate goals". "With nuclear power facing an uncertain future in many countries, the world risks a steep decline in its use in advanced economies that could result in billions of tonnes of additional carbon emissions", the IEA has said.
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| Pakistan Among 31 Countries Operating Nuclear Power Plants |
Nuclear is the second-largest low-carbon power source in the world today, accounting for 10% of global electricity generation. It is second only to hydropower at 16%, according to International Energy Agency (IEA). Pakistan nuclear plants are expected to generate 3,630 MW (12% of total power vs 10% global average) by 2022. Pakistan is also generating 9,389 MW (about 28% of total power vs 16% global average) of low-carbon hydroelectric power in response to rising concerns about climate change.
Nuclear Plant Safety Concerns:
Activists in Pakistan have raised serious concerns about potential risks from K2 and K3 plants to the population in Karachi. Are such concerns valid?
The worst nuclear disaster in the history of nuclear power generation was at Chernobyl in present day Ukraine. One of the key reasons was that the Chernobyl plant did not have the fortified containment structure common to most nuclear power plants elsewhere in the world. KANUPP K-2 and K-3 reactors have two containment shells: primary and secondary. It is noteworthy that Bhopal Union Carbide disaster was history's worst industrial disaster, far bigger in terms of human toll than the Chernobyl disaster.
China signed a technology transfer deal with the United States in 2006 that put the Westinghouse AP1000 reactor design at the “core” of its atomic energy program. Chinese reactor manufacturers also resolved to build advanced third-generation technology in their safety review after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear plant disaster.
Unlike Fukushima where underground emergency cooling system failed due to flooding, the Hualong One design stores water above the reactor that can be gravity-fed to keep it cool if the pumps fail in the event of meltdown. The Chinese HPR1000 reactors employ multiple redundant generators and cooling systems to lower meltdown risk.
Hydropower Generation:
The biggest and most important source of low-carbon energy in Pakistan is its hydroelectric power plants. Pakistan ranked third in the world by adding nearly 2,500 MW of hydropower in 2018, according to Hydropower Status Report 2019. China added the most capacity with the installation of 8,540 megawatts, followed by Brazil (3,866 MW), Pakistan (2,487 MW), Turkey (1,085 MW), Angola (668 MW), Tajikistan (605 MW), Ecuador (556 MW), India (535 MW), Norway (419 MW) and Canada (401 MW).
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| New Installed Hydroelectric Power Capacity in 2018. Source: Hydrowo... |
Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) says commissioning of the 108-MW Golen Gol 2, 1,410-MW Tarbela 4th Extension and 969-MW Neelum Jhelum hydropower projects in 2018 boosted its hydroelectric generating capacity of 9,389 MW, an increase of 36% in just one year, according to Hydro Review. Hydropower now makes up about 28% of the total installed capacity of 33,836 MW as of February, 2019. WAPDA reports contributing 25.63 billion units of hydroelectricity to the national grid during the year, “despite the fact that water flows in 2018 remained historically low.” This contribution “greatly helped the country in meeting electricity needs and lowering the electricity tariff for the consumers.”
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| Top 20 Countries by Newly Installed Hydropower Capacity. Source: IHA |
Pakistan has the potential to generate 59,000 MW of hydropower, according to studies conducted by the nation's Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). Currently, it's generating only 9,389 MW of hydroelectric power, about 16% of the estimated potential. Media reports indicate that China is prepared to finance and build another 40,000MW capacity as part of the development of the Northern Indus Cascade region which begins in Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan and runs through to Tarbela, the site of Pakistan’s biggest dam, in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
Summary:
Construction of 1,100 MW nuclear power reactor K2 unit in Karachi has been completed by China National Nuclear Corporation, according to media reports. A similar reactor unit K3 will add another 1,100 MW of nuclear power to the grid, bringing the total nuclear power installed capacity of Pakistan to 3,630 MW (12% of total power) by 2022. Hualong One reactors being installed in Pakistan are based on improved Westinghouse AP1000 design which is far safer than Chernobyl and Fukushima plants. In addition, Pakistan is also generating 9,389 MW (about 28% of total power) of low-carbon hydroelectric power in response to rising concerns about climate change. One of the ways Pakistan can help reduce carbon emissions is by realizing its full nuclear and hydroelectric power potential by building more nuclear plants and dams. The development of the Northern Indus Cascade region to generate 40,000MW of hydropower is a significant part of this effort.
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Comment by Riaz Haq on December 30, 2024 at 10:18am
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Pakistan Embarks on Construction of Its Largest Nuclear Power Plant
https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/headlines/3210144-pakistan-emb...
Pakistan is constructing its largest nuclear power plant, Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5, with a capacity of 1200 MWe. The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority has granted the necessary license. This Chinese-designed Hualong reactor will strengthen Pakistan's energy grid with safe, advanced technological features.
The regulatory approval follows a comprehensive review of safety assessments and operational plans submitted by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission earlier this year. This plant will be a third-generation Pressurized Water Reactor of Chinese Hualong design, enhancing energy provision with both active and passive safety features.
With an estimated cost of USD 3.7 billion and a projected lifespan of 60 years, this installation is expected to contribute significantly to Pakistan's grid, joining the already operational Karachi Nuclear Power Plants units 2 and 3.
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From Arif Habib Securities:
Power generation in Dec’24 increased by 1% YoY to 7,800 GWh (10,484 MW). However, it remained 2% lower than the reference generation for the month. This brings total power generation for the 1HFY25 to 66,641 GWh (15,091 MW), reflecting a 3% YoY decline. Meanwhile, the cost of power generation fell by 10% YoY to PKR 9.09/KWh, which is also below the reference cost.
The decrease in generation is attributed to lower overall demand due to a drop in temperatures across the country.
https://x.com/arifhabibltd/status/1881308984545554843?s=61
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https://www.brecorder.com/news/40343586
During December, 2,065 GWh of electricity was generated from nuclear, which emerged as Pakistan’s leading source of electricity generation, accounting for 26.5% of the generation mix.
This was followed by hydel, which accounted for 22.8% of the overall generation, ahead of RLNG, which accounted for 20.7 of the power generation share.
Among renewables, electricity generation from wind sources saw a massive uptake, accounting for 3.4% of the generation mix in December 2024, as compared to 1.9% in the same month last year.
Generation from solar, and bagasse amounted to 1%, and 1.3%, respectively, of the generation mix.
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World Bank set to approve $1bn loan for Dasu project expansion
https://www.geo.tv/latest/588799-world-bank-set-to-approve-1bn-loan...
Official reveals cost of phase I shot up by 190.1% to Rs1,700bn.
Rise attributed to various factors such including in land acquisition.
After erection of stage II, Dasu project would generate 4,320 MWs.
The World Bank (WB) is set to issue a fresh $1 billion loan for the first phase of the Dasu hydropower project, following the approval of a revised PC-1 with updated completion timelines, The News reported on Monday.
A senior official of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD) revealed that cost of the first stage of the project has shot up by 190.1% to Rs1,700 billion from Rs586 billion.
The increase in the cost is attributed mainly to a delay in land acquisition, security concerns and an increase of US dollar value by 178%.
“The project of stage I would generate 2,160 MWs. However, after erecting stage II of the project, it would generate 4,320 MWs. Dasu Hydropower Project is a run-river project on the Indus River located seven kilometres upstream of Dasu Town, District Kohistan (Upper), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
"The site is 74km downstream of the proposed Diamer Bhasha Dam site and 345km from Islamabad. The project will generate 4,320 MWs (12 Units @ 360 MW each) hydroelectric power with annual energy of 21,445 GWh and will be developed in two stages (Stage I and II).
"Stage I will generate 2,160 MW (06 Units @ 360MW each) with annual energy of 12,222 GWh. Stage I will be completed in five years. The WB has already given the loan of $588 million and also extended the guarantee leverage for generating $460 million from the international market.”
However, under the new financing for the project, out of $1 billion, $800 million loan is of International Development Association (IDA) and $200 million will be extended under the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD).
Out of the IDA loan, Pakistan will attain $435 million at zero interest rate, $365 million at 5.83% interest rate, and get $200 million under IBRD at 6.13% interest rate.
"We have prepared the revised PC-1 of the project at the cost of Rs1,700 billion and will send it within a couple of days to the Planning Commission for its approval. After that, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and WB will formally sign the $1 billion (loan)," the Ministry of Water Resources confirmed.
The land acquisition for the dam project was to be completed by 2014, but the process finished in 2021-22. Another reason for the escalating cost is the appreciation of US dollar by 178% to Rs278 from Rs100.
"The project was earlier scheduled to get completed by 2023-24 which would now be completed by 2027-28. The Economic Affairs Division has played a pivotal role in diverting the bank’s loan to the project of paramount importance. The WB has already extended $1 billion loan to Pakistan in other heads, but it was not being spent. This is why the loan has been re-purposed and diverted to the Dasu Dam with the approval of the executive board of the bank," added the ministry.
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Pakistan Oxygen to Build $4.6M Hydrogen Facility at Port Qasim
https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/04/22/green-investment/pakistan-oxy...
The company stated the new facility “will strengthen our position in the hydrogen market and provide efficient, reliable gas solutions to key industrial clients.” The project is also expected to play into wider trends of decarbonization and energy diversification as industries seek lower-carbon inputs.
This development adds to the region’s momentum around hydrogen infrastructure. Just 70km away, Oracle Power has been working since 2021 on a proposed 400MW green hydrogen facility in Thatta, Sindh. While a final investment decision has been delayed, Oracle has completed feasibility studies and signed agreements with China Power to move forward with development and operations.
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'Tarbela project to generate power next year' | The Express Tribune
https://tribune.com.pk/story/2555035/tarbela-project-to-generate-po...
The Tarbela Dam's total generating capacity is currently 4,888 MW. However, with the completion of the 5th Extension project, which is expected in 2025, the capacity will increase to 6,418 MW.This makes Tarbela Pakistan's largest hydropower generation unit.
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The total electricity generation capacity of Tarbela Power House will reach 6,418 megawatts from the existing 4,888 MW after the commissioning of the Tarbela 5th Extension Project in 2025.
The WAPDA spokesman told APP the project would provide environment-friendly and low-cost hydel electricity to the National Grid.
WAPDA is constructing the Tarbela 5th Extension Hydropower Project on Tunnel No 5 of Tarbela Dam with the financial assistance of World Bank and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
https://www.radio.gov.pk/29-05-2023/tarbelas-power-generation-capac...
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WAPDA to build 5 small dams in GB to generate 13940MW electricity
https://www.nation.com.pk/29-Oct-2024/wapda-to-build-5-small-dams-i...
GILGIT - Project Director of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, Nizakat Hussain, stated that WAPDA plans to build five small dams in Gilgit-Baltistan with a total capacity of 13,940MW. While speaking to media representatives at the site of the dam, he mentioned that the dams, which include Shevik, Skardu Sho, Thargos, Elbo, and Bunji, will be constructed by WAPDA and will provide much-needed electricity to the country. Additionally, these dams will accelerate industrial development and significantly improve food security.
According to Nizakat Hussain, work on the five dams will commence in Gilgit-Baltistan as soon as possible, with Bunji Dam generating the most electricity at 7,100MW. He informed that the smallest power project will be Shevik, which will produce 4,600MW. He added that the construction of these dams will not only increase the lifespan of the Diamer Bhasha Dam, Dasu, and Tarbela Dams but also enhance their capacity. He revealed that the project aims to increase the height of the Diamer Bhasha Dam and deepen the river to extend the life of the lower dams.
Nizakat Hussain emphasized that the construction of the Diamer-Bhasha Dam will help prevent soil from upper areas from reaching other dams. He also mentioned that 70% of the work on the dam has been completed and is expected to finish by 2029. “The dam will have a tunnel with enough capacity to store ten days’ worth of water, which will help reduce water scarcity in Tarbela Dam during winters,” he added. Additionally, the dam will help control flood damage by regulating water flow during high floods, he informed. Nizakat Hussain also noted that hundreds of Chinese nationals are playing a crucial role in the dam’s construction, and the dam’s lifespan is expected to be 80 years, which can be extended with the construction of small dams in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Furthermore, Hussain stated that the Diamer-Bhasha Dam is a concrete dam, and its construction is the largest in the world.
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A ceremony has been held to mark the final official acceptance of unit 3 at the Karachi nuclear power plant in Pakistan's Sindh province. Constructed by China National Nuclear Corporation, it is the second Chinese-supplied Hualong One reactor at the site.
The ceremony was held at the Karachi site on 18 April, with representatives from China and Pakistan jointly signing the final acceptance certificate.
Karachi units 2 and 3 are the first exports of CNNC's 1100 MWe Hualong One pressurised water reactor, which is promoted on the international market as the HPR1000. Construction of unit 2 began in 2015 and unit 3 the following year. Karachi 2 achieved first criticality in February 2021 and was connected to the grid the following month after the completion of commissioning tests. The final acceptance certificate for Karachi 2 was signed in May last year.
Unit 3 achieved first criticality in February 2022 and was connected to the grid the following month. It passed preliminary acceptance tests on 18 April 2022, marking its entry into commercial operation. A ceremony was held to mark the inauguration of unit 3 in February last year.
CNNC describes the Karachi Hualong One units as "a landmark project for China's nuclear power technology export". The acceptance of both units, it says, "verifies the technical maturity and international market adaptability of China's independent third-generation nuclear power technology Hualong One, and provides a 'Chinese solution' of clean energy that can be promoted for the countries jointly building the Belt and Road".
The two Karachi units have so far generated more than 48 billion kWh of electricity, "effectively alleviating Pakistan's power shortage pressure", CNNC said. According to the company, this generation has reduced standard coal consumption by 14.976 million tonnes and cut carbon dioxide emissions by 39.168 million tonnes annually, "providing nuclear power for Pakistan's energy structure optimisation, low-carbon transformation and sustainable development".
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Nuclear Power Generated in TeraWatt Hours —-Pakistan 21.7 terawatt hours. US tops with 823 TWh
Country Generated GWh Supplied Reactors Nuclear Share
United States 823,100 781,945 94 18.2%
China 450,900 417,518 57 4.7%
France 380,500 364,391 57 67.3%
Russia 215,700 202,104 37 17.8%
South Korea 188,800
Canada 85,500 81,156 19 13.4%
Japan 84,900
India 54,700 49,910 20 3.3%
Spain 54,600 52,129 7 19.9%
Sweden 50,600 48,697 6 29.1%
United Kingdom 40,600 37,295 9 12.3%
United Arab Emirates 40,600 36,504 4 21.8%
Finland 32,600 31,128 5 39.1%
Belgium 31,200 29,732 5 54.5%
https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/nuclear-power-by...
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‘Pakistan produced record 21.7TWh nuclear energy in 2024’
https://www.dawn.com/news/1944409
• Yearly report on nuclear energy criticises Chashma-5 for high cost, precedence over renewable energy projects
• World Nuclear Industry Status Report says solar outshone nuclear in terms of efficiency, cost; reveals Pakistan’s renewable energy, including hydro, rose to 15.2GW from 14.2GW in 2023
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s net nuclear energy generation touched a record 21.7 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2024, even though overall electricity costs and inefficiencies reached a systematic tipping point, forcing consumers to switch to renewables, particularly solar, said the World Nuclear Industry Status Report (WNISR) 2025.
“Pakistan operates six nuclear reactors with a combined (net) capacity of 3.3 gigawatts (GW). Nuclear electricity production has increased from 21.3TWh in 2023 to a new all-time high of 21.7TWh (net) in 2024,” it said, adding Pakistan started developing another 1200MW plant in December 2024 with Chinese support.
The share of electricity from nuclear power plants to the commercial grid increased from the 16.2pc peak in 2023 to a record 17pc in 2024, it said, adding all operating reactors were built by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). This includes two Hualong One reactors (Kanupp-2 and Kanupp-3) outside Karachi and four CNP-300 nuclear reactors in Chashma.
CNNC was also building another 1200-MW Hualong One reactor in Chashma (Unit 5). The agreement to build this reactor dates back to 2017, but it took over seven years to progress to the formal construction start, i.e. first pour of concrete for the base slab of the reactor building, which occurred on December 30, 2024. It is China’s only ongoing nuclear newbuild project abroad and represents the first non-Russian construction start anywhere in the world in the past five years.
In January this year, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority published an estimated overnight cost of Rs966 billion ($3.4bn) for the Chashma-5 project and the total cost (including financing and other costs) of Rs1.125 trillion ($4 billion). The majority of the cost is planned to be covered by credit from China for the project to start production by 2030, the report said, adding the project had been criticised for its high cost of power, and shelving renewable energy projects to make way for it.
The report said India had 21 operational nuclear power reactors, with a total net generating capacity of 7.4GW, more than double that of Pakistan (3.3GW), and New Delhi planned to add another 100GW by 2047, a target unlikely to be met.
Renewables vs nuclear
Talking about global trends, the report said solar energy added hundreds of gigawatts globally while nuclear remained irrelevant in market development in 2024. “As storage passed a trigger point, there are first signs of a revolution behind the meter and low-income countries are starting to leapfrog,” it said.
In 2024, total investment in non-hydro renewable electricity capacity reached a record $728bn, 21 times the reported global investment in nuclear energy. “Solar and wind power capacities grew by 32 per cent and 11 per cent, respectively, resulting in 565GW of combined new capacity, over 100 times the 5.4 GW of net nuclear capacity addition. Global wind and solar facilities generated 70 per cent more electricity than nuclear plants”.
Not only this, as challenges of integrating nuclear power into the energy system remain, new energy technologies disrupt markets and systems. Photovoltaics directly produce electricity from solar radiation in harmless nanometre-thin semiconductor junctions, allowing for ongoing steep cost reductions and performance increases. This is complemented by similar advances in power electronics and batteries.
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