ISLAMABAD, September 24 — Chashma Nuclear Power Plant Unit-1 (C-1) has completed 427 days of uninterrupted operation, setting a new record for the longest continuous operating cycle by a nuclear power plant in the history of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC).
The milestone was achieved during C-1’s Cycle 18, with the reactor operating continuously and safely for 427 days, according to a statement issued by PAEC on Thursday.
The performance marks a major operational milestone for the Chashma Nuclear Power Generating Station (CNPGS), one of Pakistan’s key sources of nuclear-generated electricity.
C-1 also achieved a World Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) Performance Indicator Index score of 100 in each of the first two quarters of 2026, according to PAEC.
The commission said the international performance indicators reflected the plant’s operational reliability and adherence to nuclear safety standards.
PAEC attributed the record to the technical expertise and coordination of engineers, scientists and other personnel at the Chashma Nuclear Power Generating Station, along with operational oversight and compliance with established safety requirements.
Chashma Nuclear Power Among Pakistan’s Lowest-Cost Electricity Sources
Beyond the operational record, PAEC highlighted the generation cost of electricity produced at Chashma.
Citing information presented in the Senate in September 2026, the commission said electricity generated by CNPGS cost Rs6.876 per unit, making it the second-lowest-cost source of electricity generation after hydropower.
The figure highlights the role of nuclear power in Pakistan’s electricity mix at a time when generation costs and energy security remain important challenges for the country’s power sector.
Unlike fuel-dependent thermal generation, nuclear power plants can provide large-scale baseload electricity for extended periods, while their ability to operate continuously is an important measure of plant reliability.
Six Nuclear Plants Supply 3,530MW
PAEC currently operates six nuclear power plants in Pakistan with a combined installed capacity of 3,530 megawatts.
The plants supply electricity to the national grid and form part of Pakistan’s strategy to diversify its energy mix and expand lower-carbon electricity generation.
The latest Chashma-1 record underscores the role of nuclear generation in providing continuous electricity while reducing dependence on conventional fossil-fuel-based generation.
PAEC said the 427-day operating cycle demonstrated the safe, efficient and reliable operation of its nuclear facilities and their contribution to Pakistan’s energy security.
The commission congratulated the CNPGS team and acknowledged the engineers, scientists and other personnel involved in achieving the record.
