KARACHI: Construction is expected to start next month on the third unit at the K3 plant - the Karachi nuclear power plant using a reactor developed by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), the China Daily reported. 

The plant is being built by CNNC using Hualong One, its own third-generation nuclear reactor design.

CNNC spokesman Pan Jianming said it is the second nuclear power project in Pakistan to use the Hualong One technology, after construction started at the K2 plant in August last year.

"Hualong One was developed based on very mature technologies and the project is going very smoothly. It will help ease power shortages in the Karachi region after completion," Pan told a forum in Fuqing, Fujian Province, where the Hualong One pilot project is based.

China National Nuclear Power, a CNNC subsidiary, currently has 14 nuclear reactors in operation, with 11 under construction in China.

CNNC has been accelerating its efforts to sell the technology to overseas buyers, and Pan said inroads have been made this year with countries such as Algeria and Sudan.