Pakistan’s 1,200MW Chashma-5 nuclear power plant has reached an important stage of construction with the installation of its reactor dome, less than three and a half years after construction began.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended the dome placement ceremony in Mianwali, along with Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chinese officials and senior representatives of the organisations involved.
The dome forms the roof of the reactor building, which houses the nuclear reactor and its main equipment. Its installation marks a major step towards completing the plant.
Chashma-5 is scheduled to begin generating electricity in September 2030.
More Nuclear Power for Pakistan
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the project would provide clean, reliable and affordable electricity while reducing Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuels and exposure to international price fluctuations.
He said nuclear power currently accounts for around 16.6 percent of Pakistan’s electricity generation despite making up just 8.6 percent of installed power capacity. Its share increases to 26 percent during winter.
The prime minister also said construction was progressing faster than expected, raising the possibility of the plant becoming operational ahead of its planned schedule. Work on the project began in July 2023.
China Helping Build Seventh Nuclear Unit
Chashma-5 is the seventh nuclear power unit China has helped Pakistan develop.
Shehbaz Sharif thanked Chinese President Xi Jinping, the Chinese government and the China National Nuclear Corporation for their support. He said the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would create further economic opportunities for both countries.
The project also received regulatory clearance after Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency signed a safeguards agreement for the plant.
Meanwhile, Chashma-1 recently completed 427 consecutive days of operation, setting a new record for the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.
