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About
Civil
construction of KANUPP began in September 1965 and was completed by July
1971, following a turnkey contract with the Canadian General Electric
Company (CGE). The reactor attained criticality on 1 August 1971
followed by generation of electricity for the first time on 18 October
1971. Full power generation (137 MWe) was achieved for the first time on
4 October 1972. The plant was formally inaugurated on 28 November 1972
by the President of Pakistan.
The
plant has faced numerous challenges during its over two decades of
operation. Following the withdrawal of vendor technical assistance and
imposition of embargoes by major nuclear countries in 1976, the plant
some times has been shutdown for longer durations to carry out
maintenance, modifications or repair. A committed self-reliance
programme by PAEC and KANUPP, however, kept the plant operational
throughout the difficult period.
In
1980, PAEC successfully produced nuclear fuel for KANUPP while it made
all-out efforts to create the technical infrastructures, industrial
resources and personnel expertise necessary to support station
operation. The Design & Development Division (Mechanical), Computer
Development Division, In-service Inspection Laboratory, Control &
Instrumentation Application Laboratory, Quality Assurance Division and
Nuclear Power Training Centre were established within the plant. At
about the same time, the Technical and Health Physics Divisions were
strengthened to provide necessary backup for technical and radiation
control support.
Such
technical support does not form part of nuclear power plant operation in
developed countries but in the case of KANUPP there was no other choice.
Incidentally, KANUPP is the only nuclear power plant in the world which
has been operating without technical support from the vendor which is
vividly indicative of PAEC's commitment to self-reliance.
In
spite of problems of sorts, KANUPP faithfully adhered to its original
safety and public risk targets.
The
safety records have been extremely satisfactory as testified by regular
testing and reliability analysis. Average personnel radiation exposure
has been well within the prescribed limits of International Commission
on Radiological Protection (ICRP).
Release
of radioactive material through gaseous and liquid effluent has remained
within 4% of the maximum permissible limit.
In-depth
analysis of the Plant's operational safety was conducted in 1985 and
1989 by an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Operation Safety
Review Team (OSART). On both occasions, the IAEA team found the Plant
operation to be in conformity with laid down limits and prescribed
original safety standards.
The
complete isolation of KANUPP from international channels of
communication partially ended in 1989 following the Three Mile Island (TMI)
and Chernobyl incidents which aroused an instant realization among the
nuclear community to promote global safety in nuclear power plant
operation. The Candu Owners Group (COG) and, later, the World
Association of Nuclear Operators (WANO) were formed to provide a forum
for promoting closer cooperation among nuclear utilities in matters
relating, to operational experience feedback and plant safety. KANUPP
joined COG and WANO in 1989 and has now access to public domain
information from nuclear utilities the world over.
After
over two decades of operation, signs of normal ageing and obsolescence
are becoming apparent. Many critical components are reaching the end of
their designed life and need to be replaced. An IAEA "Assessment of
Safety Significant Event Team (ASSET)" was invited in 1989 to
undertake a safety review of reactor components. Based on its
recommendations, an Integrated Safety Review Master Plan (ISARMAP) for
safety enhancement project "Safe Operation of KANUPP (SOK)"
was prepared in 1991 for managing age related problems and full scale
assessment of reactor fuel channels. Assistance from the vendor country
has been acquired through IAEA in the execution of this project. WANO
conducted peer reviews in 1994 and then again in 2000. Recommendations
of these reviews are being implemented in the plant.
KANUPP
has also undertaken the replacement of its obsolete Computers, Control
and Instrumentation under the technological Up-gradation Project (TUP).
A contract with a reputable international company was finalized in
September 1992, under which most of the critical C&I loops and
computers are being replaced.
Under
a comprehensive Balancing, Modernization and Rehabilitation (BMR)
project, KANUPP is planning to upgrade its conventional equipments, such
as Building Chillers, Service Air Compressors, Power Cables, Condenser
Tubing etc.
With
the replacements of its obsolete informatics and refurbishing of the
nuclear island as well as conventional equipment, the operating life of
the Plant is expected to be extended to 2012, i.e. 10 years beyond its
designed life of 30 years.
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