The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has completed dome placement at the Chashma-5 (C-5) nuclear power plant, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said on Tuesday. It is a construction milestone for the Chashma 5 nuclear plant, a project with a planned generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW) at the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Generating Station. The plant is expected to start generating electricity in September 2030.
What dome placement involves
The dome is the large, dome-shaped roof installed on top of the reactor building, which houses the nuclear reactor and its related equipment. Putting it in place is a recognised construction step in building a nuclear power plant. The PMO described the event as a major milestone for the project at the Chashma site.
PAEC's chairman said Pakistan's nuclear power plants are currently generating 3,530 MW of electricity safely and efficiently. He added that the plants help avoid about 15 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year. He said nuclear power plays an important role in energy security by providing reliable, low-carbon electricity.
Nuclear power's place in the grid
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said nuclear energy produced about 16.6% of Pakistan's electricity, even though it accounts for only 8.6% of installed capacity. Its share rose to 26% in winter, he said. He called the C-5 project a sign of clean, emissions-free power generation.
Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir attended the ceremony. Shehbaz Sharif thanked Chinese partners and said the event reaffirmed the Pak-China All-Weather friendship. China has remained a key partner in Pakistan's civil nuclear energy programme, including the Chashma nuclear power complex.
What comes next
Once operational, Chashma-5 is expected to supply affordable, low-carbon electricity to the national grid. The statement framed the unit as part of expanding nuclear energy's role in the country's power generation mix. September 2030 is the timeline given for the start of generation, so that date is the next marker for the Chashma 5 nuclear plant.
Aasan alfaaz mein
PAEC ne Chashma 5 nuclear plant ke reactor building par dome lagane ka kaam mukammal kar liya hai, jo ek ahem tameeri marhala hai. Yeh 1,200 megawatt ka project hai aur bijli ki paidawar September 2030 mein shuru hone ki ummeed hai. Aam logon ke liye iska matlab hai ke aane wale waqt mein saaf aur kam carbon wali bijli ka hissa barhega. Is milestone se abhi bijli ki qeemat ya supply mein koi tabdeeli nahi aayi.
