THIS is an inescapable truth that, for the promotion of a friendly environment, it is imperative to move towards the objectives of attaining green energy via achieving the UN’s set- SDG7. Undeniably, this is only possible through an access to the nuclear power, which is clean, green and could be working as catalyst to promote socio- economic growth. While playing a pivotal role in country’s strategic policy making, the Centre for International Strategic Studies (CISS) in Islamabad, under the auspices of its ED ambassador Syed Ali Sarwar, held a very insightful seminar: ‘Pakistan’s energy crisis: The role of nuclear power.’ The October 10th seminar—focused on thought- provoking deliberations by both the national and international experts, including the PAEC and the IAEA experts, and scholars from different think tanks and universities —emphasised on the nuclear energy mix in Pakistan, thereby espousing the IAEA‘s global energy motto: ‘’Without nuclear it is very hard to reach our target of emission and carbon free energy’’. Pakistan is committed to increasing its power generation capacity to approximately 57,000 MW by 2030.
Fairly arguing, green energy is essential for a friendly environment as it is derived from renewable sources that emit little to no greenhouse gases, helping to reduce pollution and mitigate climate change. Though these energy sources, such as wind and solar, are often more sustainable and have less negative impact on the natural environment compared to fossil fuels, it has no match with that of nuclear energy resources. The transition of primary energy through the fossil fuels cast multifarious negative impacts.
Against this backdrop, there is an emerging need of reorganizing Pakistan’s energy architecture, thereby ending the slab-based terrify fostered by the NEPRA. It is argued that Pakistan has been facing the issue of reduced demand— as of March 2024, Pakistan’s total installed electricity generation capacity was reported at 42,131 MW, which is below 45,000 MW. Arguably as the installed energy plant run for a period of 60-80 years an additional edge of energy security the issue of electricity price fluctuations must be avoided pragmatically.
Needless to say, the carbon free energy—does not damage the land, nor threatens the ecosystem during the operational process—and has the capacity to store and manage operational waste, thereby minimizing the use of fuel and mining materials, and is technically much able for the commercialized use without subsidies. The nuclear-produced energy as an environmentally friendly, is positively accompanied by a sustainable energy solution. Notably, Pakistan ‘s Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is sustainably operating several nuclear power plants and employs various operation and maintenance (O&M) technologies to ensure their safe and efficient functioning.
To address the global challenges vis-a-vis the energy mix, Pakistan’s energy system needs to undergo a transformation from fossil-fuels to renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. That said, Pakistan has a huge potential for harnessing renewable energy and its share in the electricity mix has to be increased to achieve energy security. Moreover, the UN’s SGD7 goal is paramount in this regard. SDG 7 refers to Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.” This goal focuses on increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. A key target of SDG 7 is to substantially increase the contribution of renewable energy by 2030.
Yet, Pakistan faces several challenges in producing green energy, including a lack of information and outreach in rural areas, dependency on foreign energy sources, and severe energy deficiencies despite having abundant natural resources. Additionally, the effects of climate change, as highlighted by recent severe floods, further complicate the transition to renewable energy solutions. Needless to say, after COP29, the task to triple the CO2 free energy has become the universal order of the day, the importance of nuclear power has been globally galvanized both in developing and the developed word. Pakistan has primarily grown its nuclear power energy resources through collaborations with China, building nuclear power plants like the Chashma Nuclear Power Complex, utilizing its own uranium reserves, and developing domestic nuclear fuel manufacturing capabilities. Pakistan is expanding its nuclear power energy resources primarily through the development and construction of nuclear reactors. Currently, there are six operational reactors using pressurized water reactors (nuclear power reactors use heat produced during atomic fission to boil water to produced stream)with a total capacity of 3,530 MW, contributing about 27% to the country’s national grid since December, 2022.
Today, 25% of the Pakistani population has no access to electricity. Since July, 2023, Pakistan is also building a seventh nuclear power plant, the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5), which will have a capacity of 1,200 MW. As of July 2024, 59 nuclear reactors were under construction worldwide, with China leading the way with 25 units and India second with seven: China’s government has strong control over the energy sector, which allows them to build multiple nuclear units at a lower cost. Pakistan also has commenced development of Micro Hydro Kaplan Turbine to generate cheap and clean energy.
In the future, Pakistan can augment its nuclear energy production while concurrently integrating renewable sources to promote a green future. Also, Pakistan can be befitted with the growing global technology regarding the use of Small Modulator Reactors (SMRs), which are low-cost effective and productive in promoting green energy. Unlike traditional plants that require every 1 to 2 years, SMRs may only need to be refuelled every 3 to 7 years. In order to fulfil UN’s SDG7 goals and to mitigate our clear energy needs, Pakistan should pursue to explore the avenues for the utilization of Small Modulator Reactors (SMRs).
—The writer, based in Pakistan, an independent IR & International Law analyst, also an expert in Conflict and Peace Studies (with special focus on Palestine, Kashmir), is member of European Consortium of Political Research (ECPR), including the Washington Foreign Law Society/American Society of International Law. He also deals with the strategic issues.
