China-Pakistan nuclear cooperation marks a milestone

BEIJING (July 17): The construction of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 in Pakistan marks another milestone in nuclear energy cooperation between China and Pakistan, while further enhancing the influence of China’s nuclear power technology worldwide, said its operator China National Nuclear Corporation.

Unit 5 of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant (C-5) started construction. This is the third nuclear power unit using Hualong One, China’s self-developed third-generation nuclear power technology, that China exported to Pakistan, as well as the seventh nuclear power unit exported from China to Pakistan, it said.

The company has built two nuclear power bases in Pakistan with a total of six nuclear power units, which can provide nearly 30 billion kWh of clean electricity every year, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 24.48 million tons per year, it said.

The construction of the C-5 project will further enhance Pakistan’s energy security, help promote Pakistan’s economic development, and improve the well-being of local people, said the CNNC.

At the ceremony held in Pakistan, China and Pakistan reached a consensus on enhancing collaboration across the entire industry chain and achieving mutual benefit and win-win results.

It is pertinent to mention that on last Fruday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif performed the groundbreaking of 1200 megawatts Chashma-5 nuclear power plant in Mianwali.

Speaking on the occasion, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the history of nuclear energy cooperation between Pakistan and China goes back to thirty years. He said this mutual cooperation to promote clean, efficient and comparatively cheaper energy is a great success, manifestation of great friendship and a model for other countries to emulate.

Shehbaz Sharif said Chashma-5 nuclear power project costing 3.5 billion dollars is to be completed in the next seven to eight years. He, however, emphasized for reducing this period of installation saying this will be a great favor to the people of Pakistan. He also thanked China for providing a discount of thirty billion rupees on this project which, he said, is a very kind gesture from the Chinese friends.