KARACHI: The 1100MW Karachi Nuclear Power Complex-II (KANUPP-2) will come online in December 2020 followed by 1100MW KANUPP-3 in October 2021, Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Muhammad Naeem said.
“Soon after that the 1100 MW Chasma-5 will be completed, as the country plans to generate 8800 MW nuclear energy by 2030,” he said speaking at a seminar titled ‘Energy Security Policy: Thinking Beyond the Norm’ organized by Centre for Peace, Security and Developmental Studies (CPSD) here on Monday.
Naeem informed that both the plants had a workable life of 60 years, which could be extended to 80 years. “Nuclear power plants are reliable having high availability and capacity factor, relatively environment friendly and provide sustainability of electricity price having low share of fuel cost,” Naeem added. The share of nuclear energy in Pakistan’s generation mix stands at 6.0 percent producing power at an average cost of Rs9.13/kWh.
At the moment around 454 nuclear power plants are operating in 30 countries across the world constituting 11 percent of the world’s electricity generation, while 54 plants in 17 countries are under construction.
Chairman Alternate Energy Development Board (AEDB) Amjad Ali Awan said Pakistan still did not have any energy security policy while the economy was hostage to shortages. “Around 24 percent of Pakistan’s total imports are energy related. It is the need of hour to phase out the imports in favor of indigenous resources.”
He said the country was blessed with renewable energy resources including wind and solar, which should be harnessed. “Wind and solar energy have the cheapest tariff in the country, and the renewable should be integrated with conventional resources to design a sustainable mix.”
Former energy minister Sohail Wajahat said for the last 70 years policies were made on adhoc basis, which had landed the nation in such a mess. “An integrated energy policy is desperately needed for at least five years without any reversal.”
Experts from the energy sector and governmental officials deliberated on the different dimensions of the subject and they were unanimous on a concrete and sustainable integrated energy policy.
President CPSD, Agha M. Umer Farooq emphasized that commitments of the energy producer and habits of consumers needed to be changed to encourage conservation, efficiency, and a fuel mix comprising indigenous resources.
Chief Guest CJCSC General Zubair Mahmood Hayat NI (M) appreciated efforts of CPSD for organizing the seminar which provided a platform to probe core issues of energy sector in Pakistan.