Pakistan and China sign $4.8 billion nuclear power plant deal

Tags: International News

Pakistan and China recently have signed a $4.8 billion deal to construct a 1,200-megawatt nuclear power plant.

An overview of the news

• The investment by China, which Pakistan considers its most dependable ally, is viewed as a significant achievement.

• The project, known as Chashma 5, will be located in the central province of Punjab.

• The memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between China National Nuclear Cooperation and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, marking the beginning of the project.

• The Chashma 5 project will aid Pakistan in transitioning away from reliance on fossil fuels and contribute to its nuclear energy production capacity.

• Pakistan's total nuclear energy production capacity reached 1,400 MW with the opening of the country's sixth nuclear power plant in Karachi, which was also constructed with Chinese assistance.

• The investment is separate from the $65 billion that China has pledged for infrastructure development in Pakistan under the Belt and Road Initiative.

• Chinese side has already disbursed an initial amount of 30 billion Pakistani rupees ($104.53 million) for project initiation.

Nuclear power plant in Pakistan 

• The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commissionstates that the four existing Chashma power plants have a combined installed capacity of 1,330 megawatts.

• Apart from the Chashma power plants, Pakistan also operates two other nuclear power plants known as Karachi Nuclear Power Plants (KANUPP) 2 and 3.

• The Karachi Nuclear Power Plants have a substantial capacity of 2,290 megawatts, further enhancing Pakistan's nuclear energy generation capabilities.