Karachi unit 2 inaugurated by Pakistan PM

Karachi 2 joins the five nuclear power plants already operating under the management of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission.

Speaking from Islamabad by videolink in a ceremony that also marked the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Pakistan and China, Khan said the plant's 1100 MW of clean energy would "almost double" Pakistan's nuclear power generation.

Karachi unit 3 - which like unit 2 is also an 1100 MW Hualong One unit supplied by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) - is expected to generate electricity early next year, he said. The Karachi units are the first exports of the Hualong One, which is promoted on the international market as HPR1000.

"It is worth mentioning here that clean, reliable and affordable power generation will also bring economic benefits to the country," Khan said.

Construction of Karachi 2 began in 2015 and the unit achieved first criticality in February and was connected to the grid in March after the completion of commissioning tests. The plant's operational period is 60 years, which can be extended for another 20 years.

According to the Associated Press of Pakistan, China Atomic Energy Authority Chairman Zhang KeJian said the launch of Karachi 2 showed the commitment of both countries to the peaceful use of nuclear energy for the socioeconomic benefit of their people. CNNC Chairman China Yu Jian Feng said technology transfer and nuclear cooperation between China and Pakistan would "achieve new heights".