Pakistan's third nuclear power plant becomes operational

[News_Editor]

Pakistan's third nuclear power plant becomes operational

2011-05-12 23:39:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

CHASMA, PAKISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Pakistan's third nuclear power plant, the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (CHASNUPP-2), on Thursday became operational, the APP news agency reported.

Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani inaugurated the nuclear power plant located near Chashma Barrage on the left bank of River Indus, near Mianwali city. The facility will help meet the country's growing energy demand and cut down the shortfall.

The Chasma-2 nuclear plant was completed three months ahead of schedule due to the joint efforts of Chinese and Pakistani teams. The 330 MW plant was the result of the Pakistan-China cooperation in nuclear science and technology.

"Completion of this project takes to even greater heights the long and time-tested friendship between the two countries and their people," said Gilani. "This moment is a proud day for Pakistan and its civil nuclear energy program."

The newly-inaugurated plant will generate an additional 330 MW of electricity that will provide immediate relief to a section of consumers. In addition, Pakistan is already constructing two more power plants C-3 and C-4 to meet the government's target of 8800 MW by the Year 2030.

PM Gilani emphasized that the government is paying full attention to the safety of the current and the future nuclear power plants through reviews of safety assessment and emergency preparedness plans.

The Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Ansar Pervaiz said that the Pakistani nuclear power plants were functioning safe in accordance under the safety regulations of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

In April, IAEA declared that the nuclear program of Pakistan is safe and secure. In 2006, the Asian country put in place an action plan to strengthen nuclear security managed by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA).

The action plan included management of radioactive sources; nuclear security emergency coordination center (NuSECC); and locating and securing orphan radioactive sources.

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