Report ANI
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have signed a safeguards agreement for the 1,200-megawatt Chashma-5 nuclear power plant, marking an important step towards the implementation of international safeguards at the facility.
The agreement was signed in Vienna by IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Raja Ali Raza Anwar on the sidelines of the 70th IAEA General Conference.
The agreement governs the application of IAEA safeguards to Unit-5 of the Chashma nuclear power complex and was unanimously approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in March.
The Chashma-5 project is currently under construction and is scheduled for commissioning in 2028. The facility is expected to contribute a substantial amount of low-carbon electricity to Pakistan's national grid.
Officials said the safeguards agreement reflects Pakistan's commitment to the peaceful use of nuclear energy and compliance with international non-proliferation obligations.
Pakistan currently operates six nuclear power plants with a combined installed capacity of 3,530 megawatts. According to the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, the country's nuclear plants have maintained an average capacity factor of more than 90 per cent.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Shan Zhongde, chairman of the China Atomic Energy Authority. Pakistani and Chinese delegations also held discussions on ongoing and future cooperation in the peaceful applications of nuclear science and technology.
The Chashma-5 project is expected to strengthen Pakistan's electricity supply while supporting the country's efforts to expand low-carbon energy generation.
