Pak finalises sites for six China-aided nuclear power plants

ISLAMABAD: Ahead of Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit next month, Pakistan has reportedly selected sites to set up six Beijing-aided 300-MW nuclear power projects.

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) has selected six sites for nuclear power plants in line with the recommendations of the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), a media report said on Tuesday.

The new plants were part of plans to increase the country's capacity to generate 8,800MW nuclear power by 2030, it said.

Earlier reports in both Pakistan and China said the two countries have reached an understanding to set up six nuclear power plants with Chinese help, details of which were expected to be announced during Hu's visit.

The six sites included Qadirabad-Bulloki link canal near Qadirabad headworks, Dera Ghazi Khan canal near Taunsa Barrage, Taunsa-Punjnad canal near Multan, Nara canal near Sukkur, Pat Feeder canal near Guddu and the Kabul river near Nowshera, 'The News' daily reported on Tuesday.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Khurshid M Kasuri said on Monday that Hu Jintao will visit Pakistan next month.

Pakistan has two Chinese aided nuclear power plants at Chashma in Punjab. While one 350 mw project is operational the other one is getting ready. In addition to this it has a Canadian nuclear power reactor at Karachi.