By Malahat Abbasi
“Pakistan’s nuclear power generation program is one of the most successful programs in the world”, said the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency Rafael Grossi during his recent visit to Pakistan. The visit by DG IAEA underscores the acknowledgment of Pakistan’s achievement in the peaceful utilization of nuclear technology, offering a compelling solution to attain the results outlined in the progressive economic revival vision of “Uraan Pakistan”.
Energy fuels the economy and in Pakistan’s case, the paucity of it is hindering the progress in the economy. Pakistan has historically suffered from an energy crisis thereby relying heavily on imported fossil fuel sources. This scenario is further exacerbated by the price fluctuations in the international market and supply disruptions due to political and/or economic reasons.
Keeping in view the obstacles in attaining economic stability and political coherence, Pakistan invested in Nuclear energy generation which provided a way to diversify the national energy mix and enhance energy independence. However, even with the 2065 gigawatts-hours (GWh) energy production contributing more than 26% share of clean energy in the national grid, Pakistan’s nuclear energy capacity remains underutilized, with its potential far from fully realized. The nation’s persistent energy crisis compounded with its inflating growth requirement makes it inevitable to renew the focus on expanding nuclear power generation for a secure, sustainable, and prosperous future.
The history of nuclear power generation dates back to the 1950s when the Nuclear power plants (NPP) began to operate. Sighting the effectiveness of nuclear fission reactions and greenhouse gas-free quality, the utilization of nuclear technology for energy generation was encouraged across the globe. “The time of nuclear renaissance has come,” said French President Emmanuel Macron in his speech in Belfort, East of France, while outlining France’s energy policy for 2050. The statement endorsed the crucial role played by nuclear energy for the sustainable future of planet Earth. Nuclear energy presents a powerful and reliable solution to energy woes which is not the case with fossil fuels. Nuclear power plants provide a stable and undistorted baseload of electricity which is inevitable for the functioning of industries.
Additionally, nuclear energy is used in various applications such as medical and industrial uses, and research and development. For example, nuclear medicine uses radioactive isotopes for diagnosis and treatment of diseases, while radiation processing is used for sterilization and preservation of food products. Overall, the use of nuclear technology continues to address global challenges such as energy security, climate change, and food and health issues.
As per the official records of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), the country is currently operating six Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) with a total capacity of 3,530 Megawatts of energy (MWe). Four of these NPPs Chasnupp 1,2,3 and 4 as C-1, C-2, C-3, C-4 are located in the Punjab province at Chashma Nuclear Power Generating Station (CNPGS). Similarly, The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant KANUPP (K-2 and K-3), located by the far coastal region in Karachi with a combined capacity of 2200 MW. It is important to note that China’s contribution to establishing the K-2 and K-3 NPPs remains foundational. During the year 2023, these NPPs added 22,372 million kWh to the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) system (17.2 % of the total electricity mix)
Since Uraan Pakistan aims to revitalize the economic landscape of Pakistan through industrial growth, nuclear energy can act as a catalyzing force to obtain those milestones. An uninterrupted and continued power supply is a necessity for industrial expansion, ultimately attracting foreign investments and thus, creating much-needed jobs. By investing in smart small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), the hefty cost of construction can be curtailed. The country would also be able to expedite its technological base expertise by fostering a skilled workforce in the high-tech sector. These outcomes are the practical manifestation of the Uraan Pakistan vision which highlights the importance of a technologically advanced and updated nation. By utilizing the technology of the atom in its real essence, Pakistan can unlock its economic potential, secure its energy future, and truly take the flight with Uraan Pakistan.
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