China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has achieved first criticality at the third unit (1,100 MW) of the Karachi nuclear power plant (KANUPP) in Pakistan.
The KANUPP nuclear power project consists of two 1,100 MW Chinese-designed ACP-1000 unit (Hualong One reactors), Karachi-2 and Karachi-3. The project is the first China export of its Hualong One reactor technology. CNNC and China Nuclear Engineering and Construction Corporation (CNEC) have been selected to build the PKR959bn (US$9.6bn) project on a turnkey basis. Construction started in 2015 at unit-2 and in 2016 at unit-3, respectively. KANUPP-2 was connected to the grid in March 2021 and commissioned in May 2021. KANUPP-3 completed hot functional tests in November 2021 and the reactor is expected to enter commercial operations later in 2022.
Pakistan aims to reach 8.8 GW of nuclear capacity by 2030 and 40 GW by 2050. Another 1,100 MW Hualong One is under consideration at the 1,215 MW Chashma nuclear power plant.
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