Nuclear Energy: National and International Concerns
1. Introduction
a. Pakistan is a severely energy-starved country which has intensely affected its economy and stability.
b. The concern over going nuclear in terms of energy rose soon after the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did the ground-breaking of the Kanupp-II and Kanupp-III in Karachi each with the capacity of 1,100 MW of electricity.
c. Pakistan’s target is to produce around 40,000 MW of electricity from nuclear power plants till 2050.
2. Concerns over Nuclear Option
a. “No Reference Point” exists for 1,100 MW power plant in China
b. Pakistan has no prior experience to handle such a big nuclear power plant
c. There are precedents nuclear incidents in much developed countries like of Chernobyl in Russia, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima in Japan
d. Karachi Coast in more ‘seismic activity prone” area
e. Radioactivity once leaked takes several decades to come down to a safe level
3. Why Nuclear Power Plants
a. 45% of projects’ cost would be covered by China in the shape of ‘state credit’ and ‘suppliers’ credit’
b. K-II and K-III are among few nuclear power plants that being set up after the Fukushima disaster, and they all are being built after a long and intensive study of over 50 year data analyzed and incorporated in their design.
c. Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has much confidence in the projects
4. Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy
a. There should be more reliance on the renewable energy as there is a huge potential of renewable energy sources in Pakistan i.e. best wind corridors in Keti Bandar and Gharo near Thatta, Sindh and abundant sunlight
b. Renewable energy infrastructure development requires a larger investment but the energy produced will be much cheaper though it cannot produce a huge amount of energy that we can get from hydel, gas, coal and nuclear sources.
5. Building Dams
a. This is the safest and the most reliable option for the power generation and many other purposes
b. Pakistan is blessed with abundant water resources and which must be utilized by timely building dams
6. Conclusion
a. Nuclear energy is certainly a viable option and for now it is the only convenient option for a financially weak country like Pakistan. However, all the concerns of the stakeholders should be taken seriously and whatever decisions are made, must be inclusive of all.
Please do suggest the areas not covered or the ones which may be added to it.
Regards
