Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission signs contract for hydropower plant at outfall of Chashma-5

Dawn reported that the PAEC Foundation has signed a contract for its fifth hydropower station, FHPP-05, a 5MW project to be built at the discharge point of the Chashma-5 nuclear plant. The PAEC statement said the plant should generate about 30.66 million kilowatt-hours of electricity a year for the national grid once operational. Generation is slated to begin by September 2029, with the work awarded to a joint venture of three firms.

The scheme will tap the existing hydro capacity at the location, which should improve water resource use and support sustainable output. The agreement was concluded at PAEC Headquarters with a joint venture formed by China Ocean Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd., Ningbo Water Conservancy and Hydro Power Planning and Design Institute Co. Ltd., and Habib Rafique Engineering (Pvt.) Ltd.

The foundation's parent body is PAEC, and the foundation was set up in 1994 to serve staff and their families. Separately, PAEC's six nuclear plants currently supply 3,530MW to the grid, while the IAEA signed a safeguards deal with Pakistan earlier this month for the 1,200MW Chashma-5 facility.