Pakistan to build two more nuclear power plants

THE HINDUSTAN TIMES ^ | September 03, 2002

[Annakin]

Pakistan's Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is to build two new nuclear power plants at Chashma in central Punjab province and the southern port city of Karachi, state-run media reported on Tuesday.

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) news agency quoted PAEC chairman Parvez Butt as saying the plants would be built "in the coming years" to meet Pakistan's growing energy needs.

He said the projects, named KANUPP-2 (Karachi) and CHASNUPP-2 (Chashma) would be constructed with a capacity of 600 megawatts and 300 megawatts respectively.

"The projects are under consideration for formal approval with the Government and construction activity will commence in near future," Butt said.

Two nuclear power plants operated by the PAEC currently meet three per cent of Pakistan's total energy requirements, but with the completion of the two new plants nuclear power would provide about 10 per cent of current demand.

Butt said new tariffs of Rs 2.25 (four cents) per kilowatt hour -- up from Rs 1.75 (about three cents) -- would allow the PAEC to cover construction costs over the medium term.

He said nuclear power was the only responsible option in light of global warming and Pakistan's dwindling reserves of hydrocarbons.

"Tidal, solar, wind, and fuel cell options are environmentally promising, but they can provide only a very limited part of increasing energy demand," Butt said.

He said Pakistan's enhanced power needs, due to a planned boost in industrialization and an increasing population, couldn't be met by hydro-electric projects.

"We have the distinction of being the only country in the Muslim world operating two nuclear power plants and have competant human resource capable of installing and operating more nuclear plants," he added.

Pakistan, he said, also had sufficient uranium resources and manufacturing of its own nuclear fuel had now reached a point where sufficient amounts could be produced to meet the demands of the new plants.

[Magnum44]

He said nuclear power was the only responsible option in light of global warming and Pakistan's dwindling reserves of hydrocarbons.

The third world can see this but enviro-wackos in the US can't? (and, yes, I know Pakistan has other motivations for having nuke power)

[Dog Gone]

Dang. It's a sad day when Pakistan shows more intelligence than America does.

Build more nukes now.

[anguish]

The third world can see this but enviro-wackos in the US can't?

Exactly, and make that "enviro-wackos in the world". Here in Sweden the government is pushing hard to close down all our reactors, even though it means that we'll have to import "dirty" power. All based on an old 70's referendum that wouldn't stand a chance today.

[Praxeologue]

yes, I know Pakistan has other motivations for having nuke power

Pakistan has only one motive: make bombs.

If economics dictated the decision, they would be building gas-fired plants.

This is why the Hindustan Times carried the article. They want to demonize Pakistan, which is not a tough task.

[backhoe]

The India-Pakistani Conflict... some background information-
			Posted by backhoe On May 25 10:29 PM with 105 comments

[E Rocc]

Dang. It's a sad day when Pakistan shows more intelligence than America does.

Build more nukes now.

Hell, even the French use nuclear plants for most of their energy. If they can do it, even Californians can.

Seaside nuclear plants would indeed solve two problems for California, energy and water (through desalinization of seawater). That's probably why the lefties oppose them. It's easier to impose government controls when things are scarce or in crisis.

-Eric

[Dog Gone]

That does it. We're dumber than both the Pakistanis and the French!!

Don't even mention the Iranians or North Koreans, or I'll really get depressed.

[Willie Green]

Seaside nuclear plants would indeed solve two problems for California, energy and water (through desalinization of seawater).

Include electricly powered mass-transportation systems, such as light rail for local commuting, or high-speed rail and Maglev for inter-city travel, and we can also begin to significantly reduce our dependence on imported oil.

[Willie Green]

That does it. We're dumber than both the Pakistanis and the French!!

When it comes to peaceful use of nuclear power, the surrender monkeys kick butt!!!

Who says we're the lone nuclear "superpower"???

 Electricity Production by Source (1999) 

Country	Production (billion kWh)	Fossil Fuel %	Hydroelectric %	Nuclear %	Other %
Austria	59.283	29.53	67.65	0	2.82
Belgium	79.829	40.01	0.42	58.33	1.24
Denmark	37.885	88.40	0.07	0	11.53
Finland	75.792	41.88	16.77	28.82	12.53
France	497.260	9.69	14.39	75.43	0.49
Germany	531.377	63.29	3.59	30.3	2.82
Greece	46.432	89.60	9.72	0	0.68
Ireland	19.542	94.42	4.23	0	1.35
Italy	247.679	79.09	18.08	0	2.83
Luxembourg	0.648	36.88	53.09	0	10.03
Netherlands	85.294	90.25	0.11	4.27	5.37
Portugal	41.696	79.97	17.25	0	2.78
Spain	197.694	57.71	12.10	28.28	1.91
Sweden	146.633	5.53	47.24	45.42	1.81
United Kingdom	342.771	69.38	1.55	26.28	2.39
Total European Union	2409.815	50.86	12.45	34.06	2.57
United States	3678.000	69.64	8.31	19.8	2.25

Heck, even the Finns and the Swedes produce a greater percentage than we do.

[Dog Gone]

It's good to know that we're not dumber than the Irish. ;-)

[Willie Green]

Or the Portuguese.

[Willie Green]

Hey, whatever happened to Portugal, anyway?
They're hardly ever in the news anymore.
Does anybody still live there?

[Dog Gone]

I don't think so. In fact, I'm not sure the country even exists anymore.

We need someone in Spain to go check.

[Willie Green]

We need someone in Spain to go check.

Well our two FReepers in Spain are "acnielsen guy" and "NitroBunny", so I guess the task falls upon them.

Hey guys, can you do Dog Gone & I a favor and check to see if Portugal is still there?
We haven't heard a peep out of 'em in ages.
And there's no FReepers listed there either!!!
(a very bad omen for Portugal.)

[rdb3]

We need 10 or 20 more ourselves.

[Lion's Cub]

Pakistan has only one motive: make bombs.
If economics dictated the decision, they would be building gas-fired plants.

I agree. I'll bet one, if not both, are going to produce tritium as a by-product. We need that missle shield yesterday.

[pkpjamestown]

The "afghanistnation" of Pakistan is not too far from the near future. Lets keep an account of what military power they have, and exact coordinates of their locations. I hope we have human intelligence on the ground, this time around.

[American in Israel]

Pakistan is seeking power alright, but not the kind that makes motors go around...

[fight_truth_decay]

In theory yes they work..read this at your leisure and the NRC who regulates them there lies the problem in the US.

http://wiscassetnewspaper.maine.com/2002-08-29/maine_yankee.html

"
Air space over the closed nuclear power plant is not restricted, according to the FAA, but regulations do restrict planes from "loitering" over nuclear power plants."