Nuclear power plants functioning safe under IAEA guidelines: PAEC

Chairman Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Dr Ansar Pervaiz on Thursday said the country''s nuclear power plants were functioning safe in accordance under the safety regulations of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Talking to reporters after the inauguration of Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (CHASNUPP-2) here by Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Chairman PAEC said all possible measures had been taken keeping in view Japan''s Fukushima power plant mishap.
The Chairman PAEC said the very minute increase in the radiation levels in Pakistan in the aftermath of Fukushima incident, had now died down. He said PAEC had formed three teams to look into nine different areas in the wake of Fukushima disaster.
Dr Pervaiz said the cost of plant was initially high but the running cost was low with Rs 4.20 per unit against Rs 16 produced by the Independent Power Plant (IPP). He said the construction of Chashma-3 power plant had already been started, while the work on Chashma-4 would start in June. He said the PAEC would follow Prime Minister Gilani''s directive to submit a plan to government beyond year 2030 of providing the country 8800 MW of electricity. The Chairman PAEC briefed the mediapersons about power plant''s working, features and its cost effectiveness.