Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday virtually inaugurated the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant Unit-2 (K-2), stating that the project will help to train manpower and facilitate technology transfer from China.
Speaking during the ceremony, he said that Pakistan was also celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations with China. "It is a very unique relationship," he said, adding that it extends to all levels.
"We are confident that China will be standing with us in all difficult times. It is fortunate that Pakistan has strong ties with an emerging power and a developed country like China," he said.
"China has faced problems similar to the ones Pakistan is facing today and we have a lot to learn from them," he said.
The plant has 60-year life expectancy, extendable to 20 more years. It is designed with higher plant availability and capacity factors, and extended refuelling cycle.
The construction of K-2 commenced in November 2013, whereas its fuel loading started on Dec 1, 2020 after approval from the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
A series of cold and hot functional commissioning tests related to plant operation and safety were conducted, before achieving criticality at the end of February this year. After further reactor physics tests, the plant was connected to national grid on March 18, 2021 for trial operation and power escalation tests.
More to follow
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