Fukushima won’t affect Pakistan-China nuclear cooperation

• 12 years ago (2011-05-11)
• David Flin

Asia 848 Nuclear 640

---

The accident at Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power plant will not affect civil nuclear cooperation between Pakistan and China, Masood Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to China said. He said that plans to work with China to build two more 340 MW nuclear reactors at the Chashma facility in Punjab province would go ahead as scheduled.

Khan said: “Immediately after the Fukushima accidents, China conducted the most rigorous stress tests on their design. We are satisfied that these two reactors are not going to be affected by the Fukushima accident.”

Pakistan has suffered continual energy shortfalls in recent years as its power demand growth outpaces its ability to generate electricity. The country’s shortfall now stands at around 3000 MW, according to figures from Pakistan’s Ministry of Water and Power. This has compelled the government to engage in load shedding and controlled power cuts.

Nuclear power produces only a small fraction of Pakistan’s power. At 725 MW, nuclear sources account for just 2.4 per cent of electricity generated in the country. The Chashma 3 and Chashma 4 reactors would nearly double this capacity, adding another 680 MW to the grid.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani will discuss further Sino-Pakistani nuclear cooperation next week when he travels to Beijing to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations.