20000317

Chasnupp to require

12 tonnes of uranium for

300 mw power output

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's second nuclear power plant Chasnupp, which went nuclear on November 24, 1999, requires twelve tonnes of uranium annually to produce 300 megawatts of power, it is learnt.

It will avoid pollution to a great extent since a coal-fired plant of the same output would require 1.5 million tonnes of coal and an oil-fired plant would require half a million tonnes of oil.

Safety and quality have been the most important factors in design, construction and operation of the 300 mw Chashma Nuclear Power Plant completed with the help of China. This is the first ever undertaking between China and Pakistan in the arena of high technology.

Defence-in-depth is the fundamental principle of safety of the nuclear plant. Reactor protection system is of fail-safe and proven design. No radioactivity will be discharged to river water and discharge to the atmosphere will be strictly controlled in accordance with the international standards.

The plant has been designed by China's Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute and built by China National Nuclear Corporation for a life span of 40 years at an average plant factor of 70 percent. The cooling water is drawn from Chashma-Jhelum Link Canal and dischared into the River Indus.

Generation of 300 mw would help overcome electricity load shedding especially in winter when water level goes down in the Tarbela and Mangla Dams.

Chasnupp is placed under the safeguards of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA is providing expert assistance to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in various phases of the project, besides providing expertise to evaluate the suitability of site for construction of the plant.

An IAEA team recently visited the plant and reviewed safety measures taken in the designing and construction. The Nuclear Regulatory Authority of Pakistan maintains its own independent surveillance over the contractor and PAEC.

Chasnupp has acquired membership of the World Association of Nuclear Operators (Wano) and thus acquired access to technical activities of this association.ÑPPI