IT is satisfying that despite bitter propaganda unleashed by some vested interests aimed at scuttling or stalling work on the country’s two most advanced nuclear power plants in Karachi, the projects are nearing completion, thanks to the hard work of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and commitment of China to help Pakistan realize the targets set for nuclear power generation. According to an announcement of PAEC, the fuel loading for the newly built 1100 megawatt Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) Unit-2 began on Tuesday and it will start commercial operation in April 2021.
It was a happy coincidence that the august ceremony of loading of fuel was held at a time when the Chinese State Councillor and Minister for Defence General Wei Fenghe was visiting Pakistan and holding talks with the leadership for deepening and strengthening bilateral cooperation. It is, indeed, a milestone in the history of PAEC that two flagship projects for power generation are becoming a reality in a timely manner and together these would add more megawatts to the national grid than the combined total of nuclear power plants that are already in operation (at Mianwali and Karachi). Addition of 2,200 MW power by K-2 and K-3 would mean a quantum jump in production of power through a reliable and environment-friendly source and would go a long way in overcoming the energy shortage in the country. It is also heartening that despite discriminatory treatment being meted out to Pakistan by members of the so-called Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), the country is moving firmly towards attainment of its goal of generating 8,800 MW by 2030. Chinese have once again lived up to their reputation of completing projects as per original schedule, as K-3 project is also expected to be accomplished ten months after completion of K-2. Critics opposed construction of K-2 and K-3 on grounds that the technology for the projects was untested and assumptions of security risks and threat to the environment despite the fact that the two plants are based on state-of-the-art ACP1000 technology and China was unlikely to risk its reputation as a technology giant. The K-2 and K-3 would serve as a shining example of meaningful cooperation between the two friendly neighbours. We are confident that notwithstanding opposition by some vested interests, Sino-Pakistan cooperation in diverse fields would continue to grow in times to come for mutual benefit.
