Pakistan has planned 7 Nuclear Plants for 8900 MW of electricity by 2030

Pakistan on 2 January 2014 announced its plan to set up seven functional nuclear plants of 1100 MW each by 2030. The government is set to install 325 MW Chashma-4 (C-4) plant.

Pakistan took this decision to combat the problem of shortage of power supply in the country. Nuclear power was set to become a major player in the country's power sector.

As per the Pakistan government, by 2030 the Pakistan Atomic Energy Comission (PAEC) will be operating four nuclear power plants of 325 to 340 MW and seven nuclear power plants with the capacity of 1100 MW each, in addition to four units of 300 MW, producing a total of 8,900 MW of electricity.

The power generated through C-3 and C-4 (650 MW) will be linked to national grid by 2016. Pakistan would install more nuclear power plants to generate 42000 MW of electricity under its Vision 2050.

China has committed 6.5 billion dollar finance for the construction of a major nuclear power project in the port city of Karachi.

China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) has promised to grant a loan of at least 6.5 billion dollar to finance the project, which will have two reactors with a capacity of 1,100 megawatts each.

Blackouts lasting more than half a day in some areas have infuriated many Pakistanis and sparked violent protests, undermining an economy already beset by high unemployment, widespread poverty, crime and sectarian and insurgent violence.

Pakistan had carried out its first nuclear tests in 1998, soon after India conducted tests. Both refuse to join the Nuclear Non-proliferation Treaty, which would oblige them to scrap atomic weapons.

China has already helped supply two nuclear reactors at the Chashma nuclear power complex in Punjab, while another two are also under construction with Chinese assistance.

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