Unit 3 of Pakistan’s Karachi nuclear power plant, a Hualong One reactor supplied by China, achieved first criticality on 21 February. China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) said. This officially marks the start of operation “laying the foundation for subsequent grid-connected power generation and commercial operation”.
Karachi 3 is the second 1100MWe Hualong One (HPR1000) to be constructed outside China. Karachi 2 began commercial operation in May 2021. Two Hualong One units are operating in China at units 5&6 of the Fuqing nuclear plant in Fujian province. Fuqing 5 began commercial operation in January 2021and Fuqing 6, which started up in December, achieved full power on 19 February.
As to Pakistan, five nuclear reactors provide around 8% of the country's energy mix: four CNNC-supplied CNP-300 pressurised water reactors at Chashma in Punjab, and Karachi 2.
CNNC in 2017 signed a cooperation agreement with the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission on the construction of a Hualong One as a fifth unit at Chashma.
Photo: Karachi 3 is the world's fourth Hualong One reactor to enter operation (Photo: CNNC)
