back

PAKISTAN

(updated on Apr. 2009)

1.  ENERGY, ECONOMIC AND ELECTRICITY INFORMATION

1.1.  General Overview

Pakistan is situated in South Asia and it stretches over 1,600 kilometers from south-west to north east. It lies between 23° and 37° north latitude and 60° and 76° east longitude. The country is a land of diversified physical features, and six major physical regions can be identified as:

  1. Northern Mountains;
  2. The Western off-shoots of the Himalayas;
  3. Baluchistan Plateau;
  4. Potowar Plateau and the Salt Range;
  5. Upper and Lower Indus Plains;
  6. The Thar Desert.

Pakistan has great diversity of climate. In the northern mountains and western off-shoots of the Himalayas the winters are extremely cold and mountains remain snow covered, while the summer temperatures reach up to 52°C at some places in the Baluchistan Plateau and the Lower Indus Plains.

Rainfall at most of the places in Pakistan is scanty. Nearly three fourths of Pakistan receives average annual rainfall of less than 25 cm [Ref. 1]. Pakistan is on the margin of the monsoon climate and most of the rainfall is in the months of July, August and September. Within the Indus Basin, flooding is an annual occurrence, and some parts of the Sindh province are dependent on flood irrigated agriculture.

On January 1, 2008, the population of Pakistan was about 161.0 millions and the population density was 202.2 inhabitants per square kilometer (Table 1). At present, the population growth rate is about 1.8% per annum [Ref. 2].


TABLE 1. POPULATION INFORMATION

 

 

Average
annual
growth
rate (%)

 

1960*

1970*

1980*

1990*

2000*

2006*

2007*

2008*

1960
to
1980

1980
to
2008

Population (millions)**

45.0

59.7

80.2

108.2

137.5

155.4

158.2

161.0

2.9%

2.5%

Population density
(inhabitants/km2)

56.6

75.0

100.8

136.0

172.7

195.2

198.7

202.2

2.9%

2.5%

Urban Population as
% of total

21.4

25.4

28.3

30.2

33.4

34.5

34.9

na

 

 

Area (1000 km2)   796.1

 

* In this report, unless otherwise specified, years correspond to financial years (1st July - 30th June)

** On 1st January

na not available

Sources: [Ref. 2]


1.1.1.  Economic Indicators

During the last 48 years, Pakistan's economy has grown at an average annual rate of 8.3% (in current US$). However, due to high population growth rate, per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) has increased at only 5.5% per annum during the same period. The present per capita income in Pakistan is US$ 1023. The historical GDP statistics are shown in Table 2 and some basic indicators are given in Table 3.


TABLE 2: GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT* (GDP)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

annual

growth

rate (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2006

2007

2008**

1960

1980

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

to

to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1980

2008

GDP

3,535

9,107

19,114

35,432

68,804

122,099

138,797

164,692

8.8

8.0

(million of current US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GDP

7,949

15,277

24,442

44,334

68,804

93,884

100,297

106,098

5.8

5.4

(million of constant 2000 US$)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GDP/capita*

79

153

238

327

500

786

877

1023

5.7

5.3

(current US$/capita)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

GDP by sector (%)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Agriculture

45.8

38.9

30.5

25.8

25.9

22.5

21.8

20.9

 

 

        Industry

15.0

20.7

22.7

22.2

23.3

25.9

26.1

25.9

 

 

        Services

39.2

40.4

46.8

51.9

50.8

51.7

52.1

53.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange Rate (Rs/US$)

4.76

4.76

11

21.45

51.771

59.8566

60.6342

61.57***

 

 

* At factor cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** Provisional

*** July 2007-April 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sources: [Ref. 2]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TABLE 3. BASIC INDICATORS


Indicator

Period/year

 

Average annual rate of inflation*

1980-1990

7.3%

 

1990-2000

9.7%

 

2000-2008

6.4%

Life expectancy at birth

2007

Male: 64 years

Female: 66 years

Literacy rate

2007

55.0%

* Measured by Consumer Price Index.

 

1.1.2.  Energy Situation

Energy Resources

Pakistan’s commercially exploitable energy resources consist of coal, gas, oil and hydropower, and a large base of traditional fuels in the form of wood, agricultural and animal wastes. Pakistan does not have adequate oil reserves (Table 4) and has to import large quantities of oil to meet its energy requirements. During 2006-07, Pakistan spent about 37.9% of its export earnings on petroleum imports [Ref. 2].

TABLE 4. ENERGY RESERVES


 

Estimated energy reserves on 30 June 2007
(Exajoule)

 

Solid

Liquid

Gas

Uranium

Hydro1

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total amount in place

105

2.1

26.8

 

1.8

135.7

1 Equivalent to estimated hydropower potential of 40,000 MW by converting to energy at 50% plant factor and using 10550 GJ/GWh conversion factor from secondary energy to primary energy.

Sources: [Ref. 3]


Energy Supplies

The energy supplies statistics are given in Table 5. For the last ten years, the indigenous oil production has been at the level of about 55,000-70,000 barrels per day (equivalent to about 15-21% of the country's oil consumption). Pakistan's natural gas production in year 2006-07 amounts to 3,873 million cubic feet per day. The incremental production from the fields under development and future gas discoveries is expected to enhance the supply.

Coal Production in 2006-07 was 3.6 million tonnes. The sectoral distribution of coal consumption is as follows: Brick kilns: 33.1%, as Coke: 4.6%, Cement and other industry: 60.6%, Power: 1.7%. The development of the coal mining industry in Pakistan, particularly for power generation is hampered by many constraints relating to the quality of coal, mining difficulties and organization problems.

During the year 2006-07, hydropower provided 32.5% of electricity in Pakistan. Although, Pakistan has relatively high endowment of hydropower potential, only 6,479 MW (14%) has been exploited. Various mini/micro hydro projects are in construction or in planning phase and a number of medium and large size hydroelectric projects have been planned/proposed.

Two nuclear power plants operating in Pakistan contributed 2.34% to the total electricity generation in calendar year 2007. The first plant, KANUPP-1, completed its designed life of 30 years in December 2002 and was shutdown to carry out various jobs for extending its life by 15 years. After getting approval from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA), KANUPP-1 restarted on 22 January 2004. The plant was again shutdown on 12 December 2005 to carry out jobs required for plant re-licensing. It has generated over 11.71 billion KWh of electricity upto 31 December 2007. The second nuclear power plant, CHASNUPP-1, was connected to the national grid on June 13, 2000, and has generated over 12.88 billion KWh of electricity upto 31 December 2007. Construction of the third nuclear unit (CHASNUPP-2) has started with first concrete pour on 28 December 2005. It is scheduled to be operational in 2011.

TABLE 5: ENERGY STATISTICS

(Exajoule)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average annual

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

growth rate (%)

 

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2006

2007

 

 

 

2008

1980

To

2008

Energy Supply1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Total

0.38

0.64

1.04

1.7

2.46

3.19

3.32

3.42

4.3

- Solids(2)

0.29

0.33

0.44

0.55

0.65

0.81

0.84

0.91

2.6

of which coal

0.03

0.02

0.06

0.09

0.09

0.18

0.20

0.26

 

- Liquids

0.07

0.17

0.20

0.50

0.83

0.75

0.83

0.85

5.3

- Gases

0.02

0.11

0.25

0.47

0.77

1.29

1.29

1.32

6.2

- Primary electricity(3)

0.01

0.03

0.16

0.18

0.21

0.35

0.36

0.34

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Energy production

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Total

0.31

0.49

0.86

1.29

1.73

2.51

2.52

2.54

4.1

- Solids2

0.27

0.33

0.44

0.52

0.62

0.72

0.71

0.73

2.1

of which coal

0.02

0.02

0.06

0.06

0.06

0.10

0.16

0.08

 

- Liquids

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.12

0.13

0.15

0.16

0.15

7.3

- Gases

0.02

0.11

0.25

0.47

0.77

1.29

1.29

1.32

6.2

- Primary electricity(3)

0.01

0.03

0.16

0.18

0.21

0.35

0.36

 

0.34

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net import (Import - Export)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- Total

0.07

0.15

0.18

0.41

0.73

0.68

0.80

0.88

5.2

- Solids2

0.02

0

0

0.03

0.03

0.08

0.12

0.17

 

of which coal

0.02

0

0.03

0.03

0.03

0.08

0.12

0.17

 

- Liquids

0.05

0.15

0.18

0.38

0.71

0.59

0.67

0.7

4.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share of domestic Oil production (%)

17.7

12.4

10.4

24.1

15.3

20.3

18.9

 

 

 (1) Energy supply = Primary energy production + Net import (Import - Export).

 

(2) Solid fuels include coal and commercial wood.

 

(3) Primary electricity = Hydro + Nuclear

 

Sources: [Ref. 3 & 4]

 

1.2.  Energy Policy

Until 2000, energy sector, to a large extent, was owned and operated by the Government of Pakistan (GOP). During the last two decades, GOP formulated various policies and programs to reform the energy sector. Besides improving the efficiency of public sector institutions, policies were made to increase the private sector participation in the development of energy sector. For the electricity sector, the GOP encouraged setting up of private sector power projects on BOO (Build-Own-Operate) basis under 1986 policy, but the response was not very encouraging. The GOP announced comprehensive frameworks in 1994 and 1995 aimed at attracting private sector investments for the development of power sector.

Creation of competitive markets for energy/electricity is one of the major aims of all energy sector policies. The GOP has setup legal and institutional framework for re-structuring of energy sector entities owned by the public sector. The ultimate aim is creation of a market in which private companies will be working under the regulatory authorities to provide energy/electricity on competitive basis.

The competitive electricity market will be established in two stages:

In view of the fact that competitive market will need sometime to evolve, the GOP announced its policy for power generation projects in 2002. This policy laid down a frame of work in which private and public sectors will work together to expand power generation capacity required in the near future. The objectives of the policy are:

Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) was given the job of solicitation of bids for hydro and indigenous fuel-based projects, for which feasibility studies are already available; and to initiate feasibility study work on raw sites for exploiting indigenous as well as renewable resource. As per 2002 policy, hydro projects in the private sector will be implemented on Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis. Thermal projects will be established either on BOOT or Build-Own-Operate (BOO) basis by the private sector. The basis for selection of the successful bidder in each case will be the minimum levelized tariff, either through International Competitive Bidding for solicited proposal or through negotiations.

Because, large hydro power projects is the responsibility of WAPDA (a public utility), it prepared a hydro power development plan in 2000. This plan identifies additional power generation capacity that will be required till 2025, and hydro power projects that can be built.

1.3  The Electricity System

1.3.1.  Electricity Market

In 1997, an electricity act was passed to establish the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) for regulating the provision of electric power services in a competitive market. NEPRA is responsible for grant of licenses to generation, transmission, and distribution companies. Until fully competitive market is emerged the authority will approve tariff rates and other terms and conditions for the supply of electric power services by the generation, transmission and distribution companies.

By the end of 2004 the Power Wing of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has been restructured to create the following fourteen corporate entities:

Privatization of these generation and distribution companies is planned. The Privatization of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Jamshoro Power Generation Company (JPCL) and Peshawar Electric Power Supply Company has been earmarked on priority basis. The residual WAPDA will only own the hydro assets and remains in the public sector. Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has already been privatized.

1.3.2. Structure of the Electricity Sector

The followings are the major stake holders in the electricity sector.

     - Project planning and implementation;
     - Operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants;
     - PAEC owns two operating nuclear power plants and one under construction:
 

o    KANUPP-1, a 137 MWe PHWR, integrated in KESC network

o    CHASNUPP-1, a 325 MWe PWR connected to WAPDA grid since June 13,2000

o    CHASNUPP-2, a 325 MWe PWR, under construction and connection to the grid is scheduled in 2011.

The NTDC is supposed to establish its four independent parts.

  1. Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) for the procurement of power on behalf of the ex-WAPDA DISCOs,
  2. "System Operator" to carryout the job of dispatching of plants and provision of balancing services,
  3. "Transmission Network Operator" for the operation and maintenance of the transmission system including planning, design and capacity expansion of its transmission system,
  4. Contract Registrar and Power Exchange Administrator (CRPEA) to look after bi-lateral trading contract of generation licensees with the Bulk Power Consumers (BPCs)/distribution companies.

Table 6 provides the installed electricity generating capacity and transmission voltages of WAPDA, generation companies and IPPs, while Figure 1 shows the installed generation capacity by plant type (Hydro, thermal and nuclear).

 

Table 6: Installed Capacity of Electric Generation as on 30th June 2008


Utilities

Installed Capacity (MWe)

Transmission Voltage

Thermal

Hydro

Nuclear

Total

WAPDA

 

6,444

 

6,444

500,220,132 kV

AJKHEB*

 

36

 

36

 

KESC

1,690

 

 

1,756

220,132 kV

PAEC

 

 

462

462

220kV

IPPs

5,822

 

 

5,822

500,220,132 kV

CPGCL

1,690

 

 

1,690

500,220,132 kV

NPGC

1,980

 

 

1,980

500,220,132 kV

JPCL

1,024

 

 

1,024

500,220,132 kV

LPGCL

150

 

 

150

500,220,132 kV

Others**

56

 

 

56

 

Total

12,412

6,480

462

19,354

 

* Azad Jammu Kashmir Electricity Board

** In public sector other than GENCOs

Source: [Ref. 3]

 

Fig. 1. Installed Generating Capacity of Electric Power

 

1.3.3.  Decision Making Process

The National Economic Council (NEC) is the supreme body responsible for ensuring balanced development of the country. It was created in December 1962 under Article 145 of the Constitution of Pakistan. NEC is headed by the Head of the Government. Its members include some of Federal Ministers, the Governors/Chief Ministers of the provinces, and the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission is the chief instrument for formulating the national plans.

The Energy Wing of the Planning Commission estimates the energy demand on the basis of information obtained from all concerned entities. It formulates unified short and long-term national energy plans.

Within the energy sector, the nuclear power area is handled by the PAEC, which also carries out energy studies and makes suggestions to the Energy Wing for the development of nuclear power to ensure an appropriate mix of resources for electricity generation. The Energy Wing forwards the suggestions to the NEC. The NEC has the overall control of planning and approves all plans and policies relating to electricity sector development, and makes the energy policy. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) supervises the implementation of energy policy laid down by the Government, and approves any energy sector project to be built by the public sector.

Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has been set up under the Ministry of Water and Power to assess, evaluate, and co-ordinate the private sector power generation projects.

1.3.4.  Main Indicators

Table 7 shows the historical electricity production and installed capacity in the country and Table 8 provides energy related ratios. Most parts of the country have severe winter and summer as a result, there is a vide variation in electricity demand during the year. Furthermore, higher share of household sector in total electricity demand makes the peak demand more pronounced. High share of hydro power in total supply results in seasonal variation in supply. These variations are further affected by the regulation on water out flow from the storage dam for irrigation. Until early 1990s, there was a wide gap between the maximum demand at peak hours and the installed capacity in certain months. The hydro capacity decreases to about 1,872 MW from installed capacity of 6,444 MW when the water level in the dams gets low.

Table 9 gives weighted average generation costs of electricity by producers. Table 10 gives power sector development plan for the next 22 years estimated by Applied System Analysis Division, PAEC.

TABLE 7. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION AND INSTALLED CAPACITY

 

Average annual
growth rate

(%)

 

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2002

2006

2007

2008

1980
To
2008

Electricity production (TW.h)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Thermal

0.59

3.54

6.17

20.72

46.06

51.17

60.28

63.97

63.88

8.7

        Hydro

0.51

2.92

8.72

16.93

19.29

18.94

30.86

31.95

28.71

4.3

        Nuclear

 

 

*

0.29

0.40

1.8

2.48

2.29

3.08

 

        Total1

1.10

6.46

14.89

37.94

65.75

72.41

93.63

98.21

95.68

6.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capacity of electrical plants
(GW(e))

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

        Thermal

0.17

1.05

1.79

4.83

12.44

12.29

12.49

12.47

12.41

7.2

        Hydro

0.25

0.67

1.57

2.90

4.83

5.01

6.50

6.48

6.48

5.2

        Nuclear

 

 

0.14

0.14

0.46

0.46

0.46

0.46

0.46

4.4

        Total

0.42

1.72

3.50

7.86

17.40

17.76

19.45

19.41

19.35

6.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)Electricity losses are not deducted.

* Less than 0.01 TWh

Sources: [Ref.3, 4]

 

Table 8. Energy* Related Ratios


 

1960

1970

1980

1990

2000

2006

2007

2008

Energy supply per capita (GJ/capita)

8

11

13

16

18

21

21

21

Electricity generation per capita
(kWh/capita)
**

24

108

186

351

483

603

621

594

Electricity production/Energy production
(%)

4

14

18

31

40

39

41

40

Nuclear/Total electricity (%)

 

 

***

0.8

0.6

2.7

2.3

3.2

Ratio of external dependency (%)(1)

18

23

18

24

30

21

24

26

Load factor of electricity plants

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      - Total

30

43

49

55

43

55

58

56

      - Thermal

40

39

39

49

42

55

59

59

      - Hydro

23

50

64

67

46

54

56

51

      - Nuclear

 

 

 

24

33

61

57

76

(1) Net import / Total energy consumption

 

* Wood is included

 

** Self generation is not included

 

*** Less than 0.1%.

 

Sources: [Ref. 2, 3 & 4]

 

 

Table 9: Electricity Generation Costs in 2004-05


 

Generation (GWh)

Weighted Average Generation cost (Rs*./kWh)

WAPDA-Hydro

31,384

0.78

WAPDA-Thermal

20,210

4.26

IPPs

34,085

4.97

* One US $. = Rs. 60.6342

Sources: [Ref. 3 & 7]


Table 10. Peak Demand (MWe) in the years 2010, 2020 and 2025

 

2010

2020

2030

 

Low

Medium

High

Low

Medium

High

Low

Medium

High

Maximum Demand (MW)

18,113

18,238

18,423

27,374

29,999

33,368

47,359

61,394

77,339

Energy (TWh)

84

84

85

137

150

167

236

306

385

Assessment of Applied Analysis Division of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission

 

2.  NUCLEAR POWER SITUATION

2.1.  Historical Development and current nuclear power organizational structure

2.1.1.  Overview

Pakistan started construction of its first Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP-1) in 1966 at Karachi and it was commissioned in 1971. The 137 MWe plant was constructed by the Canadian General Electric (CGE) under a turnkey contract. In 1976, Canada stopped to supply fuel and spares to this plant. Thereafter, Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission undertook fuel fabrication on an emergency basis and has been producing fuel for KANUPP since 1980.

Despite the keen interest of Pakistan in building additional nuclear power plants, it took more than two decades to start construction of the second nuclear power plant due to unfavourable international environment coupled with lack of indigenous technological and industrial capabilities for independent design and construction of nuclear power plant. The construction of Pakistan's second nuclear power plant started in 1992 with the help of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC). The plant was connected to the national grid on June 13, 2000. It has a gross capacity of 325 MWe and is located at Chashma, District Mianwali. The construction of third nuclear unit of 325 MWe capacity, with the help of CNNC has started with first concrete pour on 28 December 2005.

2.1.2.  Current Organizational Chart(s)

Figure 2 shows the Organizational Chart for the National Atomic Energy Authority of Pakistan. Established as Pakistan Atomic Energy Committee in 1955, the Ordinance for Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) was promulgated by the President of Pakistan on 27th May 1965 which was approved by the National Assembly on 21st July, 1965. PAEC was established for the promotion of peaceful uses of atomic energy in the country. PAEC has a Chairman and eight full-time working members.

 

 

FIG. 2. Organizational Chart for National Atomic Energy Authority

The functions of the PAEC includes nuclear research work necessary for the promotion of peaceful uses of atomic energy in the fields of agriculture, medicine and industry and the execution of development projects including nuclear power stations for the generation of electricity. In the performance of its functioning, the Commission is guided by the instructions, if any, given to it by the GOP.

2.2.  Nuclear Power Plants: Status and Operations

At present, nuclear power provides about 2.34% of electricity generation in the country. This power is generated by a 137 MWe PHWR, KANUPP-1 and 325 MWe, PWR CHASNUPP-1. The construction of another nuclear unit of 325 MWe capacity, at Chashma site, is in progress, for which the contract was signed with CNNC, China. KANUPP-1 has completed its nominal design life of 30 years in 2002. PAEC has carried out a safety upgrading programme to operate the plant for further 15 years. Table 11 gives status of nuclear power plants in Pakistan.

 

TABLE 11. STATUS OF NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Station

KANUPP-1

CHASNUPP-1

CHASNUPP- 2

Type

PHWR

PWR

PWR

Gross Capacity, MWe

137

325

325

Operator

PAEC

PAEC

PAEC

Status

Operational*

Operational

Under construction

Reactor Supplier

CGE

CNNC

CNNC

Construction Date

01 August,1966

01 August, 1993

28 December, 2005

Criticality Date

01 August,1971

03 May, 2000

April, 2011

Grid Connection Date

18 October,1971

13 June, 2000

May, 2011

Commercial Operation Date

07 December,1972

15 Sept. 2000

August, 2011

Shutdown Date

 

 

 

* Re-licensed after completing design life of 30 years.

2.2.2.  Performance of NPPs

The two nuclear power plants KANUPP-1 and CHASNUPP-1 are operating safely. Upto 31 December, 2008, KANUPP-1 has produced 12.139 billion KWh of electricity and CHASNUPP-1  has produced 16.458 billion KWh of electricity. The performance of CHASNUPP-1 has shown continuous improvement.

 

2.2.3.  Plant Upgradation and Plant Life Management

A project "Improve Safety Features of KANUPP" is in progress under the auspices of the IAEA. This is an extension of the previous project "Safe Operation of KANUPP" (SOK) undertaken to ensure safe operation by averting plant degradation due to aging, introducing and adopting modern operational practices, and improving the design to some extent. Under a comprehensive Balancing, Modernization and Rehabilitation (BMR) project, KANUPP has upgraded its conventional equipment, such as Building Chillers, Service Air Compressors, Power Cables, Condenser Tubing, Boiler Cleaning and Rehabilitation etc. KANUPP has made replacement of its obsolete regulating Computers, Control and Instrumentation under the Technological Up-gradation Project (TUP), under which most of the critical C&I loops and computers have been replaced. Work done under such projects gave KANUPP confidence that the plant could safely operate for 15 years beyond its design life.

 

2.3.  Supply of NPPs

Policy and Strategy

Pakistan aims at gradual indigenisation of its nuclear power program to the optimum level in order to reduce dependence on imported plant and fuel, conserve the precious foreign exchange component and to lower overall cost, while raising the level of nation’s industrial and technological base.

Achievements

PAEC started nuclear power planning activities since early 1960s and has developed expertise in energy forecasting, power plant economics and power system expansion and pre-project planning.

Design and engineering of nuclear power plant was initiated in 1980 and a formal Design & Engineering Department was set up in 1985. Over 100 engineers trained in Europe and China have actively participated in the design, design review, PSAR and FSAR preparation and review of CHASNUPP.

National Centre for Non Destructive Testing (NCNDT) and Pakistan Welding Institute (PWI) have trained large number of personnel in public and private sector.

The development of infrastructure facilities at CHASNUPP site and civil construction of all plant building/structures outside nuclear and conventional islands has been carried out by local industry. In future plants, civil works will be mostly carried out by local industry with sizable contribution in installation.

Some local manufacturing capability exists in the public and private sectors for the manufacturing of thermal power plant boiler components, heat exchangers and electrical equipment. In PAEC, efforts have been made to look after instrumentation and control, materials, nuclear fuel cycle facilities and manufacture of spares for KANUPP. A Full Scope Training Simulator for CHASNUPP has also been developed by PAEC with the technical assistance of Chinese experts in addition to manufacturing of several vessels, tanks and piping, etc.

 

2.4. Operation of NPPs

PAEC is responsible for operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants in the country. KANUPP has been kept operational since its commissioning in 1971. In 1976 the vendor stopped all supplies of fuel, heavy water, spare parts and technical information. Pakistan developed local capabilities for making fuel and spares for KANUPP. Now, PAEC has capability to operate its nuclear power plants satisfactorily.

2.5.  Fuel Cycle and Waste Management

PAEC initiated nuclear fuel cycle activities with a modest prospecting programme in early 1960s. A number of promising areas were located, some of which are presently being explored.

Uranium ore has been mined and the first ore processing plant using  indigenous ore has been in operation for some time. Essential laboratory facilities have also been set up to support the exploration and ore process development work. Natural uranium fuel for KANUPP is being fabricated by PAEC.

Appropriate radioactive waste management systems have been designed for KANUPP and CHASNUPP to remove radioactive liquid, gaseous and solid wastes arising from the plant. These radioactive waste management systems collect, store, allow sufficient radioactive decay and process the waste through filtration, ion exchange, evaporation, solidification, vitrification and drumming.

2.6.  Research and Development

Research Reactor Facilities

PARR-1 Swimming Pool

10 MW

AMF, USA

PARR-2 Tank in Pool

30 kW

CIAE, People's Republic of China

 

Research Institutes/Centers

2.7. International Co-operation and Initiatives

Pakistan is member of IAEA, WANO, COG and WNA and benefit from their programs for enhancement of safety and reliability of nuclear power plants.

IAEA OSART Missions to KANUPP were conducted in 1985 and 1989. WANO Peer Review of KANUPP was conducted in 1994 with a follow-up Peer Review in 1996. Another WANO Peer Review of KANUPP was conducted in February 2000. IAEA OSART Mission to CHASNUPP-1 was invited in January 2004 and a follow-up OSART Mission took place in January, 2006. WANO conducted Peer Review of CHASNUPP-1 in March 2006. The recommendations of these missions/reviews were very beneficial for improving safety and performance the Plants. Both the operating nuclear power plants KANUPP and CHASNUPP-1 and the under construction unit CHASNUPP-2 are under the IAEA safeguards.

2.8.  Human Resources Development

PAEC is developing the required human resources in its training centers. Every year, young scientists and engineers from various fields get post-graduate degrees and training at Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS), KANUPP Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering (KINPOE), CHASNUPP Centre of Nuclear Training (CHASCENT) and Computer Training Centre (CTC). These trained personals get the opportunity to work in their relevant fields in the research institutes and nuclear power plants of PAEC.

3.  NATIONAL LAWS AND REGULATIONS

3.1.  Safety Authority and the Licensing Process

Nuclear regulatory matters are overseen by the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA). PNRA was established through a Presidential Ordinance of 22nd January, 2001 [Ref. 6]. The Authority consists of a Chairman, two full time members and seven part time members. PNRA is empowered to devise, adopt, make and enforce regulations and orders for nuclear safety and radiation protection to all types of nuclear installations and nuclear substances.

PNRA issues licenses for the nuclear installations and production, storage, disposal, trade and use of nuclear substances and radioactive materials. The license may be issued on application made to the Authority accompanied by prescribed fee, relevant information and documents, as required by regulations.

3.2.  Main National Laws and Regulations in Nuclear Power

After the promulgation of the Pakistan Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Ordinance in 1984, and the Pakistan Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Regulations in 1990, preparation of regulatory documents started in 1990. The first document, prepared in 1990, was the "Procedure for Licensing of Nuclear Power Plants in Pakistan", which provides the basis for the licensing of nuclear power plants in Pakistan. Similarly, "Procedure for Licensing of Research Reactors in Pakistan" was prepared in 1991.

4.  CURRENT ISSUES AND DEVELOPMENTS ON NUCLEAR POWER

4.1.  Energy Policy

Pakistan was among the first few developing countries to enter the field of nuclear power generation. Unfortunately, development of nuclear power in the country was constrained due to international embargoes, shortages of financial resources and insufficient technical manpower. However, this situation has improved considerably as a result of many years of a sustained and rigorous program of training, research and development in the nuclear field. PAEC is pursuing a comprehensive plan in order to enhance its technical capabilities in the field of nuclear power in a manner that would gradually lead to a high degree of self-reliance. The plan aims at systematically developing local capability, in co-operation with the supplier countries.

4.2.  Privatization and deregulation

Under the current policy, an open and competitive electricity market is to be developed in Pakistan. The focus of this policy is to increase private sector participation in electricity market and reduce dependence on public sector. All fossil-fuel based power projects will be developed by the private sector. Nuclear power remains in the public sector. Because all activities in the electricity market are to be under the license of NEPRA, nuclear power plants will also be operating under the rules and regulations given in the generation license issued by the NEPRA.

4.3.  Role of the government in the nuclear R&D

Government. of Pakistan is fully supporting all the research and development programmes of PAEC. These R&D programmes encompass nuclear application in various areas including medicine, agricultural development, food, water and nuclear power.

4.4. Nuclear Energy and Climate Change

Until June 30, 2008, nuclear power plants generated 29,537 million kWh of electricity. Table 12 shows CO2 emissions if this amount of electricity would have been produced by oil or gas.

Table 12: CO2 Emissions Avoided by Nuclear

 

Total Nuclear Generation (million kWh)

GHG Emissions (million tons)

 

Oil Steam

Gas Steam

Gas CC

29,537

20.1

15.6

11.9

 4.5. Safety and waste management issues

The Directorate of Nuclear Power Safety (DNPS) looks after the safety aspects of PAEC projects. KANUPP and CHASNUPP have their own waste management programs for disposing solid, liquid and gaseous wastes and sites for ultimate disposal of radioactive waste are being explored.

4.6. Other issues

PAEC has long term plan to increase the nuclear power generation capacity in the country to 8800 MWe by the year 2030. To implement this plan, six new sites in addition to existing two sites are being investigated for establishment of nuclear power plants. Cooperation from nuclear power plant suppliers is being explored.

 

REFERENCES

[1] Pakistan Basic Facts 1985-86, Economic Advisor's Wing, Finance Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad.
[2] Economic Survey 2007-08 (and its earlier issues), Economic Advisor's Wing, Finance Division, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan.
[3] Pakistan Energy Yearbook 2008 (unpublished) (and earlier issues), Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Government of Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan.
[4] Energy Data Book, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources, Government of Pakistan, 1978.
[5] WAPDA Annual Report 2006-07, WAPDA House, Lahore, Pakistan.
[6] The Gazette of Pakistan, Islamabad, January 22, 2001.
[7] WAPDA, Power System Statistics, 32nd issue Jan 2008, WAPDA House, Lahore, Pakistan.

Appendix 1

INTERNATIONAL (MULTILATERAL AND BILATERAL) AGREEMENTS

Pakistan became a Member State of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 1957 and has actively participated in virtually all of the Agency's activities. Pakistan has benefited from the IAEA's Technical Assistance and Co-operation Programme (TACP), and has also provided training to many scientists and engineers from other developing countries through the IAEA’s TACP.

 

AGREEMENTS WITH THE IAEA

Safeguards Agreements
INFCIRC No:    
•  /34 Research Reactor 5 March 1962
•  /116 Reactor Booster Rods 17 June 1968
•  /135 Nuclear Reactor from Canada 17 October 1969
•  /239 Reprocessing Plant/France 18 March 1976
•  /248 Supply of U- Concentrate 2 March 1977
•  /393 Supply of miniature source reactor from PR of China 10 September 1991
•  /418 Supply of Nuclear Power plant from PR of China 24 February 1993
•  /705 Supply of Nuclear Power plant from PR of China 22 February 2007
•  Additional protocol   Not signed
•  Supplementary agreement on provision of technical assistance by the IAEA   22 September 1994
•  RCA   3 September 1987
•  Agreement on privileges and Immunities with IAEA Party 16 April 1963

Other Relevant International Conventions/Agreements etc.

•  Convention on early notification of a nuclear accident Entry into force 12 October 1989
•  Convention on assistance in the case of a nuclear accident or radiological emergency Entry into force 12 October 1989
•  Convention on nuclear safety Entry into force 29 December 1997
•  Convention on the Physical protection of nuclear material Entry into force 12 October 2000
•  Vienna Convention on Civil liability for nuclear damage   Non-Party
•  Joint protocol   Non-Party
•  Protocol to amend the Vienna convention on civil liability for nuclear damage   Non-Party
     
•  Convention on supplementary compensation for nuclear damage   Not signed
•  Joint Convention on the safety of spent fuel management and on the safety of radioactive waste management

 

Not signed

 

 

Appendix 2

DIRECTORY OF THE MAIN ORGANIZATIONS, INSTITUTIONS AND COMPANIES INVOLVED IN NUCLEAR POWER RELATED ACTIVITIES

NATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AUTHORITY

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)
P.O. Box 1114
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9209032-9
Fax: +92-51-9204908
http://www.paec.gov.pk

 

NATIONAL NUCLEAR REGULATORY AUTHORITY

Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority
P.O.Box 1912
Islamabad
Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9263001-6
Fax: :+92-51-9263007
http://www.pnra.org