4th nuclear power plant starts operation

ISLAMABAD - Country’s fourth nuclear power plant at Chashma Unit-3 (C-3) with 340 Megawatt (MW) power generation capacity, has been successfully connected to the national grid, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) revealed to APP on Sunday.

“Congratulation to the nation that Pakistan’s 4th nuclear power plant Chashma Unit-3(C-3) has been connected to the national grid,” the PAEC sources said and added that supply of electricity generated by this unit to the national grid had been started on trial basis.

They said, “After performing various safety and functional tests, the plant will attain full power in first fortnight of December 2016 and a formal inauguration ceremony of the full power grid connection will be held in December.”

PAEC Chairman Muhammad Naeem, on achieving this milestone, has re-affirmed that the scientists, engineers and technicians of PAEC were working hard to contribute in achieving all the targets set to ensure energy security for the country.

He acknowledged the support of Strategic Plans Division (SPD) and the government for help achieve these targets.

Pakistan’s first nuclear power plant KANUPP at Karachi, is in operation for the last 44 years. The other two nuclear power plants C-1 and C-2 at Chashma are generating electricity with more than 90% capacity factor.

These are the best performing power units among all power generating units of the country from all sources. These nuclear plants are supplying around 600MW to the grid.

Two larger capacity nuclear power plants K-2 and K-3 near Karachi are under construction and will be completed in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

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