Key Takeaways
- PAEC Foundation has signed a contract for a 5MW hydropower plant at the outfall of Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant.
- The project is expected to generate 30.66 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually.
- The contract was signed between PAEC Foundation and a joint venture involving Chinese and Pakistani companies.
PAEC Foundation, the non-profit arm of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC), has signed a contract for the establishment of its fifth hydropower plant, Foundation Hydel Power Plant Unit-05 (FHPP-05).
The 5MW project will be constructed at the outfall of the Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant and is expected to generate approximately 30.66 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually for the national grid.
Electricity generation is anticipated to commence by September 2029, contributing to the efficient utilisation of water resources and sustainable power generation.
The project will complement PAEC’s broader contribution to Pakistan’s energy sector, where its six nuclear power plants currently generate 3,530MW of clean, sustainable, and low-cost electricity.
The contract was signed at PAEC Headquarters between PAEC Foundation and a joint venture comprising China Ocean Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd., Ningbo Water Conservancy and Hydro Power Planning and Design Institute Co. Ltd., and Habib Rafique Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd.
Earlier this month, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Pakistan signed a safeguards agreement for the 1,200MW Chashma-5 Nuclear Power Plant to bolster the country’s energy security while ensuring international non-proliferation standards.
In June, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) restored the affected generating units of the Gomal Zam Hydropower Station after eight years and successfully synchronised it with the national grid, bringing the facility back to its full generation capacity of 17.4MW.
In May, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to formulate a comprehensive strategy to meet future energy needs through renewable sources, emphasizing the importance of increased electricity generation from hydropower, solar energy, biogas, and other renewable resources.
