Pakistan Nuclear Power plants

[FarhanSiddiqui]

Totally agree that Pakistan should build Chasma-6 and Chasma-7 with 1200 MW each or even more plants at other locations. However, I would disagree with you on shutting down ALL coal power plants. It makes sense to shut down those ones currently running on the imported coal (or be switched over to use the domestic coal). Yes, the pollution factor is extremely important. However, technology is progressing fast to minimize pollution caused by such plants. It is surprising to note that the technology used for reducing pollution also increases the efficiency of the power plant (because a major factor contributing to the pollution is the heat/energy that escapes from the plant unused).

Pakistan has low-rank lignite coal with high moisture contents and has very limited use and high pollution.

 

[Hussain]

Pakistan has low-rank lignite coal with high moisture contents and has very limited use and high pollution.

People don't understand that, they understand, domestic coal, imported coal, end of story....

 

[gamaji]

Pakistan has low-rank lignite coal with high moisture contents and has very limited use and high pollution.

That's where technology comes into play. Thar coal is already being used to feed several power plants.

 

[ghazi52]

1972 ...2030

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

 

[ghazi52]

1972 to 2025



Six Plants operating

 

[rafale]

Pakistan has low-rank lignite coal with high moisture contents and has very limited use and high pollution.

This is not true.
Having worked on Thar Projects, i can tell you that while Thar coal is low carbon, high moisture, high sulphur coal, it is very adequate for power generation. The boilers installed at Thar Block I and II are optimized for its use and with low NOx and Low SOx emissions tech, these plants are cleaner than most older RFO/HFO plants. Dust emissions is completely taken out using ESPs.

The biggest advantage of Thar Coal is that you don't have to remit USD out of the country and it is available without supply chain disruptions/sanctions.

It is shame that some incompetent people installed plants on imported coal versus going all in on Thar Coal.

 

[rafale]

We need to build Chasma-6 and Chasma-7 with 1200 MW each. Pakistan needs to electrify villages and small towns and provide reliable electricity to industry. The Solar power has tremendous potential but we still need power plants. All coal power plants must be shut down due to pollution.

too much power generation capacity is available at the moment and not enough demand. It would be stupid to build more. Nuclear is cheap in EPP cost wise but extremely expensive CPP wise.

 

[ghazi52]

Pakistan eyes 8,000MW target with Chashma-5 project​

Work progressing rapidly on 1,200MW plant; PAECCNNC joint effort underway

Our Corresponden
tJune 03, 2025

ISLAMABAD: The under-construction Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant is expected to contribute 1,200 megawatts (MW) of clean, safe and low-cost electricity to the national grid.

Chashma Nuclear Power Complex General Manager Engineer Habibur Rehman made these remarks while briefing a group of journalists at the Chashma Nuclear Complex.

Informing that the project was advancing swiftly, he said that Pakistan was working towards enhancing its nuclear power generation capacity to 8,000MW, aiming to make nuclear energy a dependable component of the country's sustainable and affordable energy mix.

On the occasion, media representatives toured several operational and under-construction units of the facility, where they were briefed on plant performance, safety protocols, technical systems and environmental standards.

Engineer Habibur Rehman noted that Pakistan currently ranked among the top 20 nuclear power-producing countries globally, operating six nuclear reactors with a combined generation capacity of 3,530MW.

The figure is projected to rise to 4,730 MW following the completion of Chashma-5, he added.

 

[ghazi52]

He explained that the Chashma-5 project was based on the advanced Hualong One (HPR1000) design, a third-generation pressurised water reactor.

The plant was being developed in collaboration with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The project's first concrete was poured on December 30, 2024.

Highlighting global trends, he noted that nuclear power was regaining international attention.

Several developed nations, including the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and South Korea, which had previously scaled back or planned to phase out nuclear power, were now re-engaging with the sector and actively building new nuclear plants.

The general manager said that nuclear energy offered a cost-effective, safe and environmentally friendly electricity source. In calendar year 2024, nuclear power accounted for roughly 13% of Pakistan's total electricity supply. In December 2024 alone, its share peaked at around 26.5%.

 

[ghazi52]

NGC energises 500kV transmission line to evacuate 2,200MW from Karachi nuclear plants​

BR Web Desk
July 29, 2025

The National Grid Company of Pakistan Ltd. (NGC) on Tuesday energised a new 500-kilovolt transmission line connecting the K2 and K3 nuclear power plants near Karachi to the national grid, a major step forward in expanding Pakistan’s power evacuation capacity and bolstering grid resilience in the southern region.

According to a statement issued by NGC on Monday, the newly commissioned double-circuit, quad-bundle line spans 102 kilometres between the KANUPP nuclear facilities and the existing 500kV Port Qasim-Matiari transmission corridor.

The project, completed at an estimated cost of Rs18.45 billion, is designed to evacuate up to 2,200 megawatts of clean nuclear energy.

The development is expected to significantly enhance the reliability, stability, and transmission capacity of the national grid, while also contributing to the government’s energy security objectives by integrating additional nuclear power into the energy mix.

“The energisation of this transmission line marks a key milestone in strengthening grid infrastructure, particularly for the southern zone,” said Engr Muhammad Shahid Nazir, Managing Director of NGC. He added that the enhanced transmission network will help catalyse regional development, create employment opportunities, and support broader economic growth.

NGC credited the Ministry of Energy (Power Division), the company’s Board of Directors, and several internal departments, including Project Delivery (South), HVDC, Power System Planning, Telecom, Protection & Control, and ISMO, for their collective efforts in bringing the project to fruition despite several challenges.

The K2 and K3 units are part of Pakistan’s expanding nuclear energy portfolio, developed with Chinese assistance, and are critical to the country’s clean energy transition.

 

[John Smith]

I wish Bangladesh could build tons of new NPPs. Solar, hydro, wind, wave are unviable in our small, densely populated country. We should go all out on nuclear. But, building even one plant takes us over budget and way under schedule. This is so tiresome

 

[gamaji]

Pakistan has low-rank lignite coal with high moisture contents and has very limited use and high pollution.

But that doesn't render it useless. We have huge reserves of it. New technologies are making the use of these reserves very feasible.

Talking about pollution reflects one's ignorance. The use of latest technology is already reducing the pollution caused by it to acceptable levels.

 

[Bilal]

I wish Bangladesh could build tons of new NPPs. Solar, hydro, wind, wave are unviable in our small, densely populated country. We should go all out on nuclear. But, building even one plant takes us over budget and way under schedule. This is so tiresome

The way solar, wind and battery prices are falling and technology is improving in couple of years it would be hard for any other source to compete.