According to officials from the Pakistani government, China has agreed to provide help to build two new nuclear power plants.
This is welcome news, not least because Pakistan is suffering from acute power shortages with official estimates putting the shortfall close to 4000 MW.
Furthermore, this enhanced cooperation with China is likely to ease Pakistan's unhappiness at the recent deal allowing American businesses to sell nuclear fuel, technology and reactors to its neighbour, India.
China previously helped Pakistan build its second nuclear power plant at Chashma, about 125 miles southwest of Islamabad. Work on a second nuclear plant is in progress, and is due to be completed in 2011.
The Chashma 3 and Chashma 4 reactors would provide Pakistan with an additional 680 MW of generating capacity. No details were given on when the units would be built or what assistance China would provide.
Pakistan, which began operating its first nuclear power station with Canadian assistance back in 1972, has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the main international agreement meant to stem the spread of nuclear weapons technology.
However, it has placed several of its civilian reactors under International Atomic Energy Authority safeguards.
The nuclear agreement was among a dozen economic cooperation accords signed during President Asif Ali Zardari's recent visit to Beijing, PR China.
(Source: Power Engineering)
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