Case Study: Islamic Republic of Pakistan (Experiences of Selected Member States in Developing their Regulatory Framework for a New or Expanding Nuclear Power Programme)

The present installed electricity generation capacity of Pakistan is around 33,554 MWe. Major sources of electricity generation in the country are fossil fuel fired thermal power plants and hydroelectric plants, which fall under the purview of the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA). The share of electricity production from nuclear energy to national grid in the year 2017-18 is about 7.5% of the total power generation. Nuclear power is a proven base-load electricity generation option to enhance the security of supply and diversity of the power system. The national power program is primarily focused upon installation of new nuclear power plants in order to meet the targets of Energy Security Plan and on continued safe operation of operating plants. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is responsible for the promotion of nuclear energy including nuclear power generation and application of nuclear radiation in industry, medicine, agriculture and research, and development on behalf of Government of Pakistan. PAEC owns and operates all nuclear installations in the country and has more than 45 years of nuclear power plant operating experience. Currently five (5) NPPs are in operation four at Chashma site that is located around 300 km south east of the capital city Islamabad and one unit at coastal site of Karachi. In addition, two NPP units are under construction at Karachi site and further three are in the planning phase. In order to fulfil the Government's Energy Security Plan of 2005, PAEC has been given the target to enhance the existing nuclear generation capacity to 8800 MWe. by constructing several new NPP units by the year 2030. Accordingly, new sites are being identified for detailed evaluation. Construction of two 1100 MW advanced PWR units is a step in this direction. Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) is the competent authority for regulating nuclear safety and radiation protection aspects of nuclear installations. The safety record of the operation of nuclear power plants has been quite satisfactory as concluded from the findings of the regulatory reviews and inspections and substantiated by international peer reviews.