Construction of 1200MW Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 Initiated

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has achieved a significant milestone with the commencement of construction of the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5). This will add 1,200 MW of clean and economical electricity to the national grid. This addition increases Pakistan’s nuclear energy capacity to 4,760 MW, underscoring the critical role of nuclear power in bolstering the country’s energy security.

The construction of C-5, the largest and most advanced nuclear power plant in Pakistan, reflects decades of Pak-China cooperation in nuclear energy, beginning in the 1990s. All six operational nuclear power plants in the country have been built with Chinese assistance. The groundbreaking for C-5 was led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on July 14, 2023, and its development is expected to create thousands of jobs while contributing to socio-economic progress. At the project’s inauguration, Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Development, highlighted that C-5 will help meet Pakistan’s growing energy demands through cost-effective, sustainable means. Dr. Raja Ali Raza Anwar, Chairman of PAEC, emphasized nuclear power’s importance as a clean, reliable energy source crucial for achieving energy independence. The C-5 project aligns with Pakistan’s ambitions to transform into a techno-economy, ensuring a stable and affordable energy future.