The recent political turmoil and economic regression caused by record-high electricity tariffs and bills have highlighted the urgent need to develop and expand nuclear power generation, which remains one of the cheapest energy sources globally.
The recent political turmoil and economic regression caused by record-high electricity tariffs and bills have highlighted the urgent need to develop and expand nuclear power generation, which remains one of the cheapest energy sources globally.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has acknowledged the sluggish growth in electricity consumption across the country, primarily due to the high electricity prices. According to the data in Nepra’s State of the Industry Report 2023, the average generation cost of nuclear power plants in 2023 is Rs12.5 per KWh (kilowatt hour) -- almost one-third of the cost of coal-based power generation.
Nuclear power is also significantly cheaper compared to oil-based thermal power plants at Rs48.1 per KWh and renewable sources like wind and solar at Rs29.3 per KWh and Rs28.7 per KWh, respectively. Hydropower remains the most affordable at Rs6.2 per unit. However, despite these cost advantages, nuclear power only contributes 9.0 per cent of power to the national grid, limiting its impact on lowering electricity tariffs and bills at the national level.
Pakistan was among the few countries to have commissioned a nuclear power plant as early as 1972. This was a nuclear plant in Karachi with an installed capacity of 137.0MWe (megawatt electrical), built with the economic and technical assistance of Canada. The plant was known as Kanupp and, later, Karachi Nuclear Power Plant-1 or K-1. There has been no addition to nuclear power generation capacity for many years due to a variety of factors.
One of the main reasons is that our national power sector was operated exclusively by the public sector for a long time and was dominated by low-cost hydropower generation. Prominent examples of this approach include the Mangla and Tarbela hydropower projects and the launch of the Kalabagh Dam and hydropower project in the early 1980s under World Bank financing. Further progress on the mega project however was halted in 1986 and those with a vested interest in promoting public-sector thermal power generation prevailed in a big way, implementing the controversial Power Policy 1994.
Pakistan’s exclusion from nuclear technology trade due to its non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) also contributed to the slow progress in expanding nuclear capacity. The West imposed an embargo on the supply of nuclear power generation machinery, spares, materials and technical assistance to Pakistan. However, China extended cooperation to Pakistan under a bilateral agreement signed in 1986 for the development of Pakistan’s civil nuclear energy program. It was only in 1993 that the second nuclear power plant, namely Chasnupp-1, commenced construction at Chashma under the financial and technical assistance of China.
The support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to Pakistan’s civil nuclear programme provided the requisite boost to the continuation of its nuclear energy program as three nuclear power plants, Chasnupp-2, -3 and -4, were commissioned in the succeeding years. Another two nuclear power plants at Karachi, each of 1,017.0MWe net capacity, were commissioned during 2021-22. One of the tables highlighted provides details of the installed capacity and energy generated at these nuclear power plants during the last 10 years, to highlight the slow progression of nuclear power development in the country.
Today, Pakistan has a cumulative nuclear power generation capacity of 3227MWe. Enriched fuel for these reactors is imported from China. Pakistan is party to several international conventions, including the Convention on Nuclear Safety, and all its nuclear power plants are being operated under the IAEA international safeguards. Karachi’s K-1 plant of 90MWe net capacity, having outlived its useful life of 30 years, was shut down in 2021 after having been operated at reduced capacity for several years. Its decommissioning is still in progress. Recently, the IAEA director general praised the safety measures at Pakistan’s nuclear power plants as “world-class” during his visit to Islamabad. The director general also acknowledged that the country has the capacity and capability to establish new reactors.
Nuclear energy is globally recognised as one of the most resilient, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy resources. Nuclear energy accounts for 10.0 per cent of the world’s electricity from 440 reactors in 32 countries and contributes 30.0 per cent of emission-free power. Pakistan ranks 17th in global nuclear energy production, generating slightly over 24TWh (terawatt hours) annually, which is just over 17.0 per cent of global nuclear output. There are about 30 emerging nuclear energy nations. Countries like Bangladesh, Egypt, and Turkiye are constructing their first nuclear power plants, while China and Russia are emerging as major exporters of nuclear technology to these nations.
Pakistan’s Energy Security Plan 2005-2030 envisioned a nuclear power capacity of 8800MWe by 2030. This expansion includes new power plants at Karachi and Chashma and several other identified sites across the country, including Taunsa-Panjnad Link Canal near Multan, Dera Ghazi Khan Canal near Taunsa Barrage, and Pat Feeder Canal near Guddu.
However, progress has been slow and the targets have not been met. The only new plant under construction is Chassnup C-5, which broke ground in July 2023 and is expected to be operational by 2030. This will bring national nuclear capacity to 4700MWe — still far short of the planned 8800MWe. The Energy Security Plan has been made part of the Power Policy Indicative Generation Capacity Expansion Plan 2023-2031 for implementation.
Pakistan is progressively developing the infrastructure for advanced engineering, construction, and maintenance of nuclear power installations. The country is also investing in human resource development through a network of educational and training institutes focused on nuclear science, engineering, and technology. However, for sustainable development of nuclear power generation, Pakistan needs its own resources for the design, engineering, and manufacturing of nuclear power plants, along with R&D activities and facilities for fuel supply. This will require the transfer of technology to Pakistan.
To meet Pakistan’s future energy, environmental, and economic needs, it is imperative to expand the existing nuclear energy network. China’s continued collaboration with Pakistan in advancing sustainable and efficient energy solutions is crucial for ensuring Pakistan’s energy security and national development.
The writer is a retired chairman of the State Engineering Corporation and former member (PT) of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
