Nuclear power generation is one of the most feasible solutions to meet the growing need of affordable electricity for industrial and commercial sectors in our country. Pakistan, the only Islamic country among 30 nations utilising nuclear energy for power generation, currently has 787 MW installed gross capacity. The government is also working on the implementation of the national energy security plan, which envisages increasing the share of nuclear power in total power generation from the existing three percent to seven percent by 2020. As per the plan 900 MW will be added by 2015 and another 1,500 MW by 2020. Four nuclear power plants are also being established in the first phase of the plan, two at Chashma and another two at Karachi. China will construct the two plants each of 340 MW gross capacity and 315 MW net output, which are scheduled for completion in eight years. CHASNUPP-3 is currently under construction near the site of CHASNUPP-1, while work on CHASNUPP-4 will start soon. Progress on these projects however remains slow. The government will be well advised to ensure timely release of necessary funds for these projects. Energy access for all by 2030 is a key goal announced by the secretary general of the United Nations. In Pakistan, however, it is not practically possible to achieve the target given the present conditions. Nonetheless, efforts should be made to provide electricity to the population of a vast area in the coming years.
HUSSAIN SIDDIQUI,
Islamabad, April 30.