Pakistan is progressing to adapt to zero-emission clean energy with a strategic nuclear power generation capacity of 40,000 megawatts (MW) by 2050.
The country has envisioned a 40,000 MW nuclear power generation under its Nuclear Energy Vision 2050 with 32 nuclear power plants to fulfill one-fourth of the country’s energy needs.
Special assistant to PM on climate change Malik Amin Aslam said Pakistan intends to adapt to the carbon-free emission goal by 2050 in energy by using all types of renewable and low-carbon sources.
“We will make optimal use of our wind, hydel, solar, and nuclear resources to meet the goals set by Conference of the Parties (COP26) recently held in Glasgow,” he said.
Pakistan has planned a huge clean energy evolution to shift energy generation away from fossil fuels to clean sources such as wind, hydro, solar, and nuclear power that emit little to no greenhouse gases.
Read more: PM inaugurates 1,100 MW Chinese-built K-2 nuclear power plant
K-3 unit of Karachi power plant
Last week in February, 1100 MW unit K-3 of the Karachi nuclear power plant (KANUPP) became operational. Moreover, the new unit will soon be linked to the national grid and initiate a commercial operation to give clean and reasonable electricity to millions.
In March 2021, Pakistan attached its first 1100 MW nuclear power plant unit to the national power grid.
Currently, the country has six operational nuclear power stations and with the effective addition of K-3 would considerably increase Pakistan’s nuclear power-producing capacity.
The new units would help fulfill the electricity demand, which is about 25,000 MW in the summertime peak while 12,000 MW in the winter.
Pakistan’s energy mix
Pakistan’s present energy mix consists of around 58 percent fossil fuels, 30 percent hydropower, and 10 percent renewables and nuclear power. But, the country has remarkable potential for generating renewable energy, which is extensively being explored.
In this regard, Prime Minister Imran Khan has pledged that by 2030 Pakistan would make 60 percent of its electricity from renewable sources.
