Pakistan issues license for largest nuclear power plant

The Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) has issued the construction license for Unit 5 of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (C-5), according to an official statement.

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) had submitted its application for the C-5 license in April 2024, the statement said.

Once operational, the C-5 unit will be Pakistan’s largest nuclear power plant, with a capacity of 1,200 megawatts, as reported by the PNRA.

The PNRA assured that strict adherence to safety standards and principles will be ensured to ensure the safe use of nuclear energy.

The authority remains committed to protecting the public from harmful radiation effects, the statement concluded.

Read More: FM Dar calls for aggressive financing for nuclear energy projects

Back in March 2024, Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar called upon the multilateral development institutions to consider aggressive financing for nuclear energy projects.

The foreign minister, in a video message after attending the First Nuclear Energy Summit held by the Blegian government and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), said the developing countries could not benefit from nuclear energy for being costly.

He said after hydropower, nuclear energy was considered the safest and most cost-effective energy source that should be utilised by the world, especially the developing countries.

The foreign minister said that many leaders at the summit echoed the same sentiments, emphasizing the role of IFIs and multilateral development institutions for financing the projects.

Lauding the Belgian government and the IAEA for holding the summit, he called the event a pleasing development, given Pakistan’s vulnerability to climate change, having already faced immense losses due to the 2022 floods.

Dar said that Pakistan had installed nuclear energy projects of around 3,000MW capacity and the incumbent government was about to initiate work on Chashma Nuclear Plant-V after it was approved by PDM government.

The minister also recounted his sideline interactions with the counterparts from Turkiye, UAE and Belgium besides the Chinese Vice Premier and the Director General of the IAEA.

The foreign minister particularly lauded Pakistan Ambassador in Brussels Amna Baloch and Aftab Khokhar in Vienna for the active role played by them and their respective teams during the brief visit.

It is pertinent to mention here that Foreign Minister (FM) Ishaq Dar is in Brussels to attend the First Nuclear Energy Summit.