The first concrete has been poured at the site of the Chasma 2 nuclear unit in the Punjab region of Pakistan.
Construction of a second Chinese designed nuclear plant will add 325MWe to the country’s nuclear portfolio when the $850 million station begins operatons, due in 2011.
Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Pervez Butt said at the launch that Pakistan plans to have 8800MWe of nuclear capacity installed by 2030, as set out in its Energy Security Plan 2005, and is investigating sites along the Indus River and the coast.
Meanwhile, with plans to construct at least two additional Chinese reactors of 600MWe each, Pakistan is reportedly in talks to buy between six and eight nuclear reactors from China in a deal worth up to $10 billion, according to the Financial Times.
According to the paper, senior Pakistani officials have said the reactors are due to be completed by 2025 with construction due to commence in 2015 and will contribute 3600-4800MWe. However, according to reports from local media, Pakistan has denied the suggestions.
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