ISLAMABAD — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasised that Chashma-5 (C-5) Nuclear Power Plant represents clean electricity and energy security for the people of Pakistan. The premier made the remarks, aired on Tuesday, at a ceremony marking the dome placement of the C-5 plant near Mianwali.
The placement of a nuclear plant’s dome, which is weather-sealed, signifies the end of civil works and the beginning of internal construction and installation. A government press release hailed the progress as a “major milestone” for the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC). It noted that the C-5 project will have a generation capacity of 1,200 megawatts (MW) and is expected to commence electricity generation in September 2030.
In his remarks, PM Shehbaz noted that while the structure may be a mix of concrete and steel, it represented “a promise of clean, reliable and affordable electricity”. He highlighted the advantages, saying it generated “power that does not rise and fall with the price of imported fuel; power that does not depend on whether the sun shines or the wind blows; and power that runs through the night” for factories and hospitals. He also observed that Pakistan, as a climate-vulnerable country, has a responsibility to pursue energy solutions that support economic goals while protecting the environment.