Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) has issued Construction License to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) for Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit 5 (C-5), on December 26, 2024.

PAEC applied for the construction license in April this year alongwith the Preliminary Safety Assessment Report (PSAR) and other licensing submissions covering design and operational aspects of nuclear safety, radiation protection, emergency preparedness, waste management and nuclear security. After a thorough review and assessment of the licensing submissions and on satisfactory fulfillment of all regulatory requirements in compliance with the relevant national and international standards, PNRA issued the license.

C-5 is an advanced third-generation Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) of Chinese Hualong design (HPR1000), having active and passive safety features including a double-shell containment and reactor filtered venting system, and has a 60 years design life. In addition, a number of other technological innovations have been made in the design. This is the 3rd NPP in Pakistan with this design, the two NPPs of Karachi (K-2 & K-3) are already successfully operating and adding the electricity in the national grid of Pakistan. It is also pertinent to know that, C-5 will be the largest electricity producing nuclear power plant in Pakistan with the capacity of 1200 MWe.