Thar Coal Power project would start generating 1,320 MW of electricity by December this year according to Federal Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir. He further added that the total potential to generate power in Thar is 3,640 MW.
“Another 1,320 MW Thar Coal Power project under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) would start generation before the next summer which would help double electricity generation to 2,640 MW. As many as 660 MW of electricity had already been supplied to the National Grid since 2019 through local Thar Coal,” the minister said while responding to a calling attention notice in the National Assembly regarding inflated electricity bills.
During the skyrocketing fuel prices, cheaper energy production from Pakistan’s Thar coal mines project would prove a “game-changer” for the development of the country,?Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said during its inauguration ceremony.
The 330-megawatt coal power plant was inaugurated under CPEC Block II in the district of Tharparkar.
The premier said that Thar coal will produce electricity with 10 rupees per unit during his address at the inauguration ceremony.
“It is a project, which is being completed with modern technology,” PM said. “These coal power plants would not create pollution,” he added.
“The region has massive 175 billion tonnes of coal deposits, it is a treasure in Thar,” PM Shehbaz said.
Moreover, he lauded the efforts being done in Thar and said, “Brilliant projects are being installed here for power generation. Women here operating RO plants, people getting jobs.”
“In Pakistan 4,000-megawatt electricity is being generated with coal,” the prime minister said, adding, “Pakistan spending 24 billion dollars to meet its energy requirement.”
“The gas has become very expensive and out of our purchasing power. It will be a collective mistake if we fail to utilize this massive deposit of coal,” he further said.
Shehbaz Sharif said the federal government, in association with the Sindh government, has decided to formulate a policy framework on the Thar coal mines project with an intention to connect it with other coal-powered power plants in the country generating 4,000MW.
He further stated that the international cost of coal had come down from $67 to $44 and could further plummet to $30.
“We have to join hands to take steps, the coal can be transported with a coordinated system of railway,” he concluded. “The rail project will help in transportation of coal to every part of the country. This project could save the country’s five to six billion dollars in a year”.