The Gwadar coal-power plant is still in stagnant position, a project of vital importance which can produce 300 MW of electricity.
It was planned to run the power plant on imported coal. To the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and other concerned agencies, it is an expansive project especially at the time when Pakistan is facing the acute shortage of foreign exchange.
The Nepra has asked the promoters to present the solution in three week. Later, all the issues, difficulties and possibilities would be examined.
This project has been under consideration since 2015 but could not be materialized due to a number reasons. Originally, IC engines working on diesel were considered which appear to be still working. It is an expansive option.
Later, a combine cycle power plant on RLNG was considered. Here, it was planned to connect it the IP pipeline. This idea was also dropped due to the some difficulties and sanctions on Iran. Later, the coal-based power plants was considered as probable solution.
Recently, a 150 MW solar power plant has also been proposed which could be perhaps the best option as Gwadar is enriched with the solar and wind resources. It could have been implemented phase wise, keeping in view the demand and saving under the capacity payments of the initial period when demand would be much