| Islamabad: Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif is expected to inaugurate two Thar-coal power projects in the coming weeks to increase reliance on indigenous coal power, news sources reported on March 7.
Read: Sindh announces discovery of huge coal reserves in Thar
The said power plants include 1,320 megawatts (MW) at Block-1 and 330 MW at Thal-Nova Power at Block-IL that have already successfully achieved their commercial operation dates (COD) and have started their operations with effect from February 5 and 17, respectively. The power plants have been completed with the facilitation of the Ministry of Energy (Power Division) and the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB). With these latest additions, the total production of electricity from four Thar coal-based power generation plants has reached 2,640 MW. Additionally, another 660 MW plant located at Port Qasim is also designed to operate on Thar coal. Once completely functional, the project will save PKR 550 billion annually in terms of imported fuel and coal.
Read: Govt to link Port Qasim, Thar Coal mines with railway network
It is pertinent to note that Thar Coal mines are one of the largest coal fields in the world and have been developed in association with the Chinese government. The mines are being developed as part of the China-Pakistan-Economic-Corridor (CPEC) and energy corridor. The electricity produced from the system will be used for the second phase of the CPEC. |
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