CHASHMA: The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has achieved a major construction milestone with the successful placement of the dome at the Chashma-5 (C-5) Nuclear Power Plant.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif attended the ceremony as chief guest, along with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chinese officials and senior representatives of relevant organisations.
Addressing the ceremony, the prime minister appreciated the dedication of Pakistani and Chinese engineers, technicians and workers who worked tirelessly to achieve the milestone well ahead of schedule. Highlighting the importance of clean energy, he said the C-5 project represented Pakistan’s commitment to generating clean and emissions-free electricity.
He commended the Chinese partners, saying the event reaffirmed the all-weather friendship between Pakistan and China and their commitment to expanding strategic cooperation in economic, security and development sectors.
The prime minister also stressed the need to make greater use of national resources and human capital to build an economically stronger, energy-secure and environmentally responsible Pakistan.
In his opening remarks, the PAEC chairman highlighted the role of nuclear power in strengthening Pakistan’s energy security by providing reliable and low-carbon electricity.
He said the country’s nuclear power plants were safely and efficiently generating 3,530 megawatts of electricity, helping avoid approximately 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually.
The chairman further stated that nuclear energy accounted for around 16.6 per cent of Pakistan’s total electricity generation despite representing only 8.6 per cent of its installed power capacity. Its share of electricity generation rises to 26 per cent during winter.
The Chashma-5 project will have a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts and is expected to begin electricity generation in September 2030.
