Pak to build nuclear power fuel complex

Islamabad: With a view to ending dependency on nuclear fuel supplier countries, the government has planned to initiate first-ever project of Pakistan Nuclear Power Fuel Complex in Faisalabad.

The project will cost Rs16.112 billion wherein fuel fabrication plant and seamless tube plant-1, nuclear power fuel testing project and chemical processing plant will be established. The executive committee of National Economic Council [Ecnec] that meets today (Wednesday) with Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz in chair is set to approve this project, a senior government official told 'The News' Tuesday.

'The unique project will help attain Pakistan indigenous capability in manufacturing nuclear fuel for power generation.' According to a senior government official, the fuel fabrication plant envisages developing capability for indigenous fabrication of fuel assembly. Initially, under phase-1, the capacity of plant would be 40 tons.

'However, the plant will be operated at 70% annual production capacity to meet fuel roads requirement of Chashma nuclear power plant-1 and Chashma nuclear power plant-2. The fuel fabrication plant will be installed in 60 months time at a cost of Rs 3.266 billion.' Under the proposed project of seamless tube plant-1, an infrastructure for the production of structural materials (tubes and rods) to be used by the fuel fabrication plant to manufacture nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants.

Seamless tube plant-1 will be established in 60 months time too at the cost of Rs 2.707 billion. The safe and reliable operation of nuclear power plants is dependent on tested and qualified nuclear fuel. This project will provide tested nuclear fuel and reliable operation of nuclear power plants. This plant will help Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission [PAEC] in attaining 100% capability of technology needed to manufacture pressurized water reactor nuclear fuels and will act as a roadmap for ultimately achieving the capability of fulfilling the requirement of one third of fuel needed for nuclear power plants to be constructed by the year 2030. At present the country's dependence on fossil fuel is 44.1% gas and 20.2% oil for power generation. The fossil fuel is depleting fast besides its price in international market is very vulnerable. Therefore, it is imperative to diversify the fuel mix in power generation. Accordingly, the energy security action plan has envisaged increasing the share of nuclear power from 1% to 4.2% by installing 8800 MW nuclear power plants by 2030.

The official said presently, the government was working on 325 MW Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-2, which will be completed by 2010-2011. In addition, the authorities concerned are also conducting the feasibility studies for Karachi nuclear power plant-II and Karachi nuclear power plant-III.