He said the government had given a task to the PAEC to meet what he termed "an ambitious nuclear power programme" for next 25 years which will have to be undertaken soon. The PAEC, the official said, "has been directed by the government to meet the power requirements of the industrial sector" on a priority basis. Now that work on the 300 MW Chashma Nuclear Power Plant-2 has started, the PAEC authorities have been directed to accelerate their efforts to install 13 more nuclear power plants, both with the local and foreign financial and technical support. Chashma-2 will be completed in 2011 at a revised cost of $850 million for which Chinese were providing financial and technical support. Chashma-1 was also built with the Chinese assistance and was currently producing about 1400 MW of electricity by utilizing 95 per cent of its capacity. Its capacity utilization is one of the highest in the world. According to an earlier programme, the PAEC was to establish 13 new nuclear power plants, mostly through indigenous efforts, especially by having transfer of technology being received from China for the Chashma-2. The PAEC was expected to be self-sufficient in all aspects of designing, installation, construction and operations of the proposed nuclear power plants. The official said that in Chashma-1, over 36 per cent Pakistani components were used and now for Chashma-2, roughly 50 per cent Pakistani components will be used as per broad understanding reached with the Chinese governments and its consultants. Since the government wanted to maintain 7-8 per cent GDP growth rate in the next few years, it was not possible for state run and private Hydel and thermal power generation units to meet electricity requirements of the industry. That was why, the official said, the government tasked the PAEC to generate additional 8400 MW of nuclear power. "Nuclear power is a reliable mix and can help the nation both in times of war and peace," the official said, adding that countries like Pakistan needed nuclear power plants which brought with them hi-tech for downstream industry. Pakistan was in touch with several international loan-giving agencies to line up credit for Islamabad's additional 13 power plants, the official added. --SPA 1317 Local Time 1017 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/285632