Unit 3 of the Karachi nuclear power plant in Pakistan achieved criticality for the first time at midnight on Feb 21, meaning it is now able to operate with power and laying a solid foundation for future connection to the grid and power generation, China National Nuclear Corporation announced.
Karachi unit 3 is a Hualong One overseas demonstration project and the fourth Hualong One unit around the globe to reach this stage.
The criticality of a nuclear reactor in a nuclear power plant is similar to the ignition process of a conventional thermal power plant boiler and is also like a heart pacemaker. After achieving the criticality, the "heart" of the reactor, or the core, will continue to "beat" while the reactor will operate in a state of nuclear equilibrium.
Hualong One is China's third-generation nuclear power technology that is considered a Chinese design.
A Hualong One unit generates approximately nine billion kilowatt-hours of electricity and can meet the demand of over four million families for electricity per year, equivalent to cutting 3.12 million tons of standard coal consumption annually. This reduces the emissions of 8.16 million tons of carbon dioxide yearly and equates to planting over 70 million trees per year. It will play an important role in the optimization of energy structure in Pakistan, the realization of global targets in carbon reduction and neutrality, and the fight against climate crisis in the world.
Karachi unit 3 is an integral part of efforts jointly made by China and Pakistan to further deepen their comprehensive strategic and cooperative partnership in the new era, strengthen the building of a community with a shared future for humanity and promote the implementation of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).