THERMAL AND NUCLEAR POWER

1.0

POWER GENERATION CAPACITY OF PAKISTAN

The total power generation capacity in Pakistan is of the order of 17,457 MW.
This includes the hydropower generation capacity of 5,013 MW, thermal power
generation capacity of 12,169 MW and nuclear power generation capacity of
462 MW. Based on the present generation capacity the hydro: thermal/ nuclear
mix in the country is 29: 71.
2.0

SOURCES OF ELECTRICITY

The main sources of electricity generation in Pakistan are hydel, oil, gas, coal
and nuclear. Thermal power is produced using furnace oil, diesel, coal and gas
as raw material, all of which are fossil fuels. Thermal and nuclear power are
expensive compared to hydel power where the water used is a renewable
commodity. Nuclear power has not developed according to expectation in
Pakistan due to certain external factors.
In 2000-01, the total electricity generated was 68,117 Giga-Watts-Hours (GWh),
of which 71.5% was produced from a thermal source.

Electricity Generation by Source

Total = 68,117 GWh
2000-01

Gas
32.0%

Nuclear
2.9%

Coal
0.4%

3.0

Hydel
25.2%

Oil
39.5%

POWER DEMAND OF PAKISTAN

According to WAPDAs estimate, the provincial power demands in Pakistan are:

Punjab: The current power demand in the Punjab is about 7,027 MW

which is expected to rise to 29,103 MW in 2024-25 under the most
conservative growth rate of 6.1%.
Sindh: The current power demand of 2,642 MW in Sindh is expected to
rise to 10,993 MW in 2024-25.
NWFP: The current power demand of 1,697 MW in NWFP is expected to
rise to 7,018 MW in 2024-25.

Balochistan: In Balochistan, the current power demand of 474 MW is

expected to rise to 1,964 MW in 2024-25.

Provincial Power Demands

Year 2000 vs 2025
35,000
30,000

Mega Watts

25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000

4.0

Ba
lo
ch
ist
an

N
W
FP

Si
nd
h

Pu
nj
ab

MERITS AND DEMERITS OF THERMAL POWER

THERMAL VS. HYDEL
MERITS

Transmission cost of thermal

power is much less compared to
hydel power because thermal
power stations are located closer
to the distribution centers.
Thermal power production is more
demand-driven
and
can
accommodate daily, seasonal and
annual fluctuations and peaking
requirements.
Thermal power stations can be
designed and constructed in
relatively less time and therefore,
are planned for short/ mediumterm needs.
Mostly, thermal power stations do
not cause displacement problems.
Initial capital cost of thermal
projects
is
relatively
less,
compared to hydel projects.

DEMERITS

The cost of power per unit from a

thermal power station is much
higher compared to hydel and in
the
longer
term,
thermal
becomes
an
expensive
proposition.
Thermal power stations use nonrenewable fossil fuel as raw
material.
SO2, NOx, Particulate Matter
pollution are a big problem from
thermal power stations.
In case of Pakistan, thermal
power production is a burden on
the national economy because its
raw material has to be imported,
which consumes a huge amount
of foreign exchange.
Thermal power stations do not
add
towards
recreation,
aesthetics, wetlands, fisheries,
etc

5.0

NUCLEAR POWER ASSESSMENT

There are only two nuclear generation centers in Pakistan Karachi Nuclear
Power Plant (KANUPP) producing 137 MW of power and Chashma Nuclear Power
Plant (CHASHNUPP) with an installed capacity of 325 MW. The total nuclear
power capacity is 462 MW, which is only 2.9% of the total generation. KANUPP
and CHASHNUPP are the first two nuclear power plant of the Islamic world.
Canada supplied the reactor for the heavy water based, Karachi Nuclear Power
Plant and a heavy-water production facility in 1972. However, in 1976, it
abruptly stopped supplying fuel after which Pakistan started construction of
the first uranium-enrichment centrifuge at Kahuta.
German and British firms sold vacuum pumps/ equipment and high efficiency
inverters for the centrifuge in 1977. China provided assistance and equipment
all through for KANUPP and later for CHASHNUP.
KANUPP has completed its 30 years life and is now producing only 70 MW due to
certain upgradations by Pakistani engineers. Of the total power produced,
KANUPP consumes 10 MW for its own operations. CHASHNUPP is being set up by
Chinese assistance and is running on liquid fuel.
The growth of nuclear plants in Pakistan has been stifled due to international
agendas and pressures. Moreover, in the 21st century, nuclear power plants are
not considered a very favorable option, due to the huge costs of
decommissioning and catastrophes of national scale, in case of accident.
6.0

THERMAL POWER GENERATION PROJECTS

Thermal Power Stations are operated by three institutions: WAPDA operates 11

stations; KESC operates 4 stations; and IPPs (Independent Power Producers)
who run their private power stations are operating at least 14.

Energy Data of Thermal Power Stations

Power Station

Installed Generation
Capacity
MW

Units Generated
GWh

Overall Cost of
Generation
Ps/KWh

Utilization
Factor
%

WAPDA
SPS Faisalabad
GTPS Faisalabad
NGPS Multan
TPS Muzaffargarh
TPS Guddu (Unit 1-4)
TPS Guddu (Unit 5-13)
GTPS Kotri
FBC Lakhra
TPS Jamshoro
TPS Pasni
GTPS Panjgur

132.0
244.0
195.0
1,350.0
640.0
1,015.0
174.0
150.0
880.0
18.0
32.0

327.14
605.77
398.16
5,912.14
2,775.38
4,319.48
665.87
240.47
1,530.99
6.62
52.88

216.58
222.79
262.94
270.35
223.29
175.60
219.30
384.54
372.82
1,750.03
1,072.78

WAPDA Sub-Total

4,830.0

16,834.90

247.38

KESC
TPS Korangi
GTPS Korangi Town
GTPS Site
TPS Bin Qasim

316.0
80.0
100.0
1,260.0

1,327.68
204.51
190.42
6,267.11

na
na
na
na

47.96
29.18
21.74
56.78

KESC Sub-Total

1,756.0

7,989.72

Private Sector
AES Lal Pir, Muzaffargarh
AES Pak Gen, Muzaffargarh
Fauji Kabirwala
Gul Ahmed, Karachi
Habibullah
HUBCO, Hub
Japan Power
KAPCO, Kot Addu
Kohinoor Energy, Lahore
Rousch Power
Saba Power
Southern Electric
Tapal Energy, Karachi
Uch Power

362.0
365.0
157.0
136.0
129.0
1,292.0
135.6
1,500.0
131.0
412.0
134.0
117.0
126.0
586.0

611.95
1,709.05
1,218.95
870.89
912.76
7,165.00
293.37
6,138.62
120.47
1,539.53
448.44
163.49
732.02
2,176.64

na
na
189.61
na
na
na
na
267.25
na
na
na
na
310.78
na

20.00
57.00
93.08
91.85
na
79.90
29.94
67.70
12.39
92.00
49.61
39.00
98.00
95.00

IPPs Sub-Total

5,582.6

24,101.18

Total Thermal

12,168.6

48,925.80

33.95
39.52
37.88
49.99
75.43
58.70
58.47
22.88
25.70
4.44
22.36

7.0

GENERATION COST

The cost of generation of thermal energy by WAPDA establishments was Rs.

2.48 approximately whereas that of hydel was Rs. 0.2 in the year 2000-01.
There are transmission and distribution costs added to these figures.
The consumer pays a much higher cost per unit of electricity consumed. This is
because of pilferages, surcharges and 71.5% thermal-based electricity on the
national grid. The average price in Pakistan is Rs. 4.5 per unit of electricity
consumed.
8.0

UTILIZATION FACTOR

The Utilization Factor indicates the amount of energy utilized against the total
available energy. This can also be interpreted by the energy consumed vs.
installed capacity.
The Utilization Factor of thermal energy is usually higher compared to hydel
because thermal or nuclear plants can be run at the desired capacity and their
costs and overheads also reduce proportionately whereas hydel is dependent on
the water head in the reservoir.
Utilization Factor also changes from year to year depending upon variation in
national needs. The utilization factor of thermal energy in Pakistan for the year
2000-01 ranged between approximately 4.5 - 98 %. A low utilization factor
indicates shut down of the power plant for a significant time period and hence
is not a potential loss.
8.0

INDEPENDENT POWER PRODUCERS (IPPs)

Private power plants were mostly installed during the late 80s and early 90s
after the load-shedding crises of the 1980s. KAPCO and HUBCO are the two
largest IPPs in Pakistan. According to the Power Policy 1994 agreements of IPPs
with the Government of Pakistan, WAPDA/KESC is bound to buy the power
produced by them at a mutually agreed rate.
Some of the IPPs are producing power for their industrial requirement. It is
estimated that such IPPs are producing about 1,000 MW.
REFERENCES
1.

Hydrocarbon Development Institute of Pakistan, Pakistan Energy

Yearbook 2001, January 2002.

2.

The Associated Press, "Nuclear History In India, Pakistan," New York

Times, May 28, 1998
http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/nuchist.htm

3.

CNS Chronology of Pakistan Nuclear Development,

http://www.cns.miis.edu/research/india/paknucch.htm