Thar coal mining project in Pakistan | Updates & Discussions.

[FreekiN]

I saw on TV that the United States does not want Pakistan to mine for the coal since it would cause a type of 'environmental pollution.' Is this true?

 

[sparklingway]

I saw on TV that the United States does not want Pakistan to mine for the coal since it would cause a type of 'environmental pollution.' Is this true?

It is not the US alone. It's a global voice. Why do we need to demonize the US?

Coal TPS produce the highest amount of air pollutants and toxins and they are the least efficient ones. The debate comes down to the point that was the bone of contention at the Copenhagen Summit as well. Do developing nations control their emissions at the cost of slowing down their economies while developed nations who created this mess get off without paying anything?

IMO, we need to use Thar Coal before it gets too late and the environmentalists get on our backs.

 

[MastanKhan]

MastanKhan, I understand your frustration at the slow rate or lack of progress


Hi,

I believe that you missed my point. I was trying to explain that the german had invested a lots of time and resource on that field. They are also technically far superior than china in exploiting the resources of that field. They had much better experties than china overall.

The german were not very pleased at being kicked out by the chinese---that should have never happened. TRhe chinese company was not able to fulfill the promises---it walked out. China is answer to some of our solutions but not all of them. Thanks.

 

[dbc]

MastanKhan, I understand your frustration at the slow rate or lack of progress


Hi,

I believe that you missed my point. I was trying to explain that the german had invested a lots of time and resource on that field. They are also technically far superior than china in exploiting the resources of that field. They had much better experties than china overall.

The german were not very pleased at being kicked out by the chinese---that should have never happened. TRhe chinese company was not able to fulfill the promises---it walked out. China is answer to some of our solutions but not all of them. Thanks.

..and you missed mine. The Chinese have the experience having developed their own CBM fields. It hardly matters if the Germans or Chinese operate the field since the expertise can be purchased from service providers as the Chinese themselves have done, what is missing is cold hard cash not knowhow.

 

[Omar1984]

MoU signed for 1200 MW power generation project ​

KARACHI: Chief Minister of Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah said on Saturday that the government is focussing on Thar Coal Energy Project so that its benefits could reach the people at the earliest.

He was addressing a meeting of Thar Coal Energy Board held under his chairmanship at the Chief Minister House.

Besides Board Members, Federal Minister Raja Parvez Ashraf, Provincial Ministers Syed Murad Ali Shah and Jam Mehtab Daher, Syed Asad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Fazlur Rehman, Secretary to CM Syed Suhail Akbar Shah, Secretary Mines and Minerals Aijaz Ali Khan, the meeting was also attended by new Board member and Federal Minister Babar Awan.

The Chief Minister said that Thar Coal Blocks were being allotted speedily to companies of international repute.

He said that under an MoU signed, PEPCO would buy the coal to produce 1200 mw of electricity which would pave the way for development in the country.

He told the meeting that Engro Coal Mining Company, too, would generate 1200 MW of electricity and these two companies would generate 2400 MW.

The Chief Minister said the Board members and the government are fully monitoring the project while the government is also providing incentives so that electricity is produced at the earliest.

The meeting decided to determine the price of Thar Coal and laws, therefore, would be approved.

It was decided that decision about appointment of consultant would be taken in the Board's next meeting.

The meeting was informed that investment proposals have been received from five firms for mining in Thar and coordinated power generation. They include Global Mining Company China, Asian Continental Energy Australia, Al-Tawariqi Steel Mills Saudi Arabia, Taireu Comapny Korea and Ghani Thar Coal Energy Limited.

In the meeting Dr. Samar Mubarak Mund, presented a detailed report on gassification project and apprised about details and problems.

Later, the representatives of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company(SECMC) and Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) signed the MoU at the Chief Minister House.

On the occasion Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Parvez Ashraf said that Dr. Samar Mubarak Mund is working on coal gassification project which would soon meet success.

He pointed out that there would be bidding for international competition while the government has announced an incentive packages for the investors.

He said the government is determined to make the project result-oriented and the coal reserves would be fully exploited and cheaper power be supplied to the people.

Federal Minister for Law Babar Awan appreciated the detailed briefing by Dr. Mubarak and said the project would become operational from next year.

He said that such projects were being run in 50 countries while a major project of this kind was operational in Siberia.

Babar Awan said that Thar Coal project is an economic opportunity to change the history of Sindh and the federal government will do everything possible for this project and carry it to completion speedily so that it does not suffer from red tapism.

The federal minister said that the government has restored Pakistan's writ which was challenged by terrorists and now every inch of Pakistan has been made safe and that is the fruit of democracy.

Babar Awan pointed out that the country had been heading towards default but now the national economy is reviving and now jobs are being provided while a country like US is faced with growing unemployment.

He said this government has committed no reprisal action during two years of its tenure and no political case framed against anyone and at present there is no political prisoner.

He said this government has promoted democratic traditions and formed coalition government to promote an environment of reconciliation, adding the government would complete its term and continue with the expansion of economic mechanism throughout the country, specially Sindh.

The MoU signing ceremony was attended by Provincial MinistersSyed Ali Nawaz Shah, Jam Mehtab Daher, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Advisor on Information Jameel Soomro and Provincial Secretaries.

 

[ajpirzada]

though slow but atleast things are moving

 

[Kompromat]

I saw on TV that the United States does not want Pakistan to mine for the coal since it would cause a type of 'environmental pollution.' Is this true?

We don't care as they dont !

 

[manglasiva]

do join with India & Chine to fight against western arm twisting...

 

[Kompromat]

do join with India & Chine to fight against western arm twisting...

We are already Joined with China , the Ball is in your court buddy

 

[Omar1984]

Coal-based power plant in Thar​

PEPCO signs MoU with Engro for 12MW plant

KARACHI: The Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) has singed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company for setting up 12 megawatts coal-based power plant in Thar.

The MoU was signed during the eighth meeting of the Thar Coal and Energy Board held at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House on Saturday. Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah presided over the meeting. Federal Minister for Power Raja Pervez Ashrraf and the newly inducted member in the board, Dr Babar Awan were also among the participants.

According to an official handout, participants of the meeting were informed that under the fresh MoU the PEPCO would set up the power plant and purchase coal for running the plant. Engro was already in the process to set up 1,200MW coal-based power plant. Both, the Engro and PEPCO would generate some 2,400MW electricity.

The chief minister told the participants that reputable international companies would be allotted different blocks of the Thar coal for mining. The meeting was informed that five companies have already sent their investment proposals in regard to mining and setting up of power plants. The companies are Global Mining Company, China, Australia Asian Continental Energy, Al-Tawarqi Steel Mills, Saudi Arabia, Ghani Thar Coal Energy and a Korean company.

Regarding fixation of price for the electricity it was decided that a separate agency would be established in this regard through assembly legislation. Underground Coal Gasification Chairman Dr Samar Mubarak briefed the participants of the meeting about gasification in Thar. He said that producing electricity through gas would provide great benefit to the country.

Federal minister for power said that Dr Samar was working on a project to develop gas through coal and it would soon be successful. He said that the bidding would be held of international standard. The government has provided packages to the investors in this regard, he said. The electricity would be available at lower rates after increase in power generation.

Dr Awan said that Thar Coal Project would be a historical economic opportunity for the Sindh province, and the federal government would provide all out support in this regard so that the project could be completed rapidly.

Provincial ministers, Syed Ali Nawaz Shah, Jam Mahtab Daher and Syed Murad Ali Shah, and Adviser to Chief Minister Jamil Soomro were also present at the MoU signing ceremony. staff report

 

[Omar1984]

First 50 MW power project from Thar Coal within a year​

ISLAMABAD, Mar 11 (APP): National Assembly was informed Thursday that first Thar Coal project of 50 MW will complete within next one year. Minister for Water and Power told the House in response to a Calling Attention Notice that work has been awarded for this project and ‘we hope it is completed within next one year.’Members Abdul Majeed Khan Khanan Khel, Raja Muhammad Asad Khan, Nighat Parveen Mir, Malik Shakir Bashir Awan and Syed Javed Ali Shah had drawn the attention of the Minister towards recent increase in prices of electricity.

The minister said use of furnace oil by power plants due to shortage of gas, resulted in power price hike and clarified that increase in tariff is not decided by the Ministry but National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA). The Ministry has to implement the recommendations of NEPRA under obligation.

He described the recent increase as tariff adjustment to meet the extra generation cost due to use of furnace oil. “Prices are reviewed every month and when the oil prices go up or down, the tariff is revised accordingly.”

“In August, the price was reduced by 13 paisa per unit and in September by two paisa. But, in January the tariff was revised upward by Rs 1.02 per unit that is actually 62 paisa increase and is due to use of furnace oil,” he explained.

He said in January the hydel power generation slashes to zero and we have to mostly depend on furnace oil. But, with more water coming to dams and more hydel power coming to our energy mix, the tariff will decrease.

To a question, the minister said, power generation with gas cost Rs 4.05 per unit and with furnace oil Rs 10.05 while the hydel power generation cost just Rs 1.02. “We do not have gas this moment and for further going to hydel, we need eight to ten years for construction of more dams.”

He said out of around 17.5 million consumers, 5.5 million are lifeline consumers who are provided subsidy and are made to bear minimum of tariff increase.

The minister said, despite pressure by IMF, presently the government is giving Rs 42 billion subsidy to agri sector and Rs 55 billion to poor and middle class, on special instructions of the Prime Minister.

“Even at present the government buys power at the rate of Rs 10 per unit and further sell it to consumers at the rate of Rs 5.5 per unit,” he added.

To a question about fixed tariff, the minister said, in that case the federal and the respective provincial governments have to bear 33% each of the tariff difference. “And if, federation and provinces continue bearing this burden, it will create financial problems for them.”

He said the issue of compensation for Diamer-Bhasha affectees has been resolved amicably with the special interest taken by the Prime Minister.

 

[Omar1984]

Sindh Cabinet to facilitate Police by increasing its budget from Rs. 15 billion to 25 billion ​

KARACHI : Sindh provincial Cabinet has decided to increase salaries and facilities of Police and has constituted a committee to review progress for generation of 300MW electricity from Coal reserves of Badin.

According to details, the Provincial cabinet of Sindh held meeting in heading of Chief Minister Sindh and addressing a joint briefing Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro and Provincial Information Advisor Jameel Soomro expressed their satisfaction over peace situation in Sindh and informed that Police budget of Sindh would be increased from Rs. 15 billion to Rs. 25 billion.

He also reiterated that all the old buildings of Police stations would be re-constructed and new vehicles will also be given to Sindh Police; while in order to improve the performance of police personnel, their salaries would also be increased.

The meeting was also briefed that a three members committee has been constituted to review the progress regarding to make deal with Al-Abbas company to generate 300MW electricity from coal reserves of Badin as quality of Badin coal was more superior to Thar coal.

Responding to a query, provincial Information advisor Jameel Soomro informed that cost on Badin electricity generation project would be estimated at about Rs. 61 billion and Sindh Government would own40% shares of the project, while Al-Abbas company will own 60 % shares of the project.

IG Sindh Police also briefed the meeting regarding peace situation in the province and Provincial Law Minister Ayaz Soomro said that PPP aimed freedom of press and sovereignty of judiciary in the Country and increment in judges salaries up to 30% was sequence of the same commitment adding that new colonies would also be constructed for the journalists.

Replying to a question, he informed that PPP has handed over its draft about new local governments system to its coalition partner MQM and now "we are waiting for the stance of MQM ", adding that new local governments system would be finalized in 2010.




(Badin is also located in Sindh province of Pakistan).

 

[Omar1984]

ICCI for utilizing coal reserves to overcome energy crisis ​

ISLAMABAD: Energy crisis is taking a heavy toll on industry and the overall economy. Therefore, government should focus on exploiting coal reserves to overcome the power shortage in the country.

This was said by Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry while chairing a meeting of ICCI Sub-Committee on Energy, according to ICCI Spokesman.

He said due to frequent power load shedding, output of industries is on the decline while cost of doing business is rising. This situation has also led to the closure of many industrial units rendering thousands of workers jobless and government should take urgent measures to reverse this trend.

Chairman Sub-Committee said that coal is the most viable option for Pakistan to o meet the fuel requirements with potential of providing long-term energy security. He said that reportedly only Thar coal has the potential to generate 100,000 MW of electricity while by utilizing only 30 percent of this coal, the country can sufficiently meet its energy needs for more than 40 years.

Zahid Maqbool said the share of coal is increasing in the energy mix as according to some reports, coal presently produces more than 50 per cent of America’s electricity, 70 per cent of India’s and 80 per cent of China’s electricity. But Pakistan is mostly depending on fossil fuel for energy generation which is proving very costly to the economy.

He said energy crisis is casting multiple negative effects on the economy as rising inflation, unemployment, high production cost, declining exports, depreciation of rupee, reducing living standards of people and falling investment etc. are the by-products of the energy crisis. Therefore, resolving this issue should be given the top most priority to steer the economy out of troubled waters, he stressed.

Sub-Committee members stressed that instead of resorting to unwise short cuts that will have long lasting damaging impact on the economy, government should work out a long-term strategy for attracting maximum investment to exploit coal reserves.

 

[Omar1984]

Engro Chem to invest on Thar coal development ​

LAHORE - Chief Executive Officer Sindh Engro Mining, Khalid Mansoor has said that Engro chemicals is investing millions of dollars to develop the Thar Coal reserves which are the 7th largest in the world.

He was addressing international seminar on Energy Solutions from Coal and Bio Mass organised by University of Engineering And Technology Lahore on Friday.

He talked about energy crisis and strategic choices available to Pakistan. He said to sustain economic growth, Pakistan needs to develop its indigenous energy resources rapidly. To overcome the current energy crisis he said Pakistan has no other alternative except importing expensive fuels such as RFO, increasing country’s vulnerability to high oil prices in future.

About the Thar coal reserves, he said that investment would provide the benefits including strategic energy resource that will guarantee energy security to Pakistan in the decades to come. He also said that Thar mining will act as a direct “foreign exchange earning sector” and help lower the adverse impact of imported fuel on Pakistan’s trade balance. He said that tariff of coal power plants is lower than the other means of power production.

He said that presently Thar District ranks lowest on all socio-economic development indicators in Sindh. He also said that development of indigenous coal mining industry will lead to skilled job creation and transfer of technology and this industry has potential for future downstream industries in petro-chemical and fertilizer products.

Speaking on the occasion Vice-Chancellor University of Engineering And Technology Lahore Lieutenant General (Retd) Mohmmad Akram Khan threw light on various initiatives taken by energy technologies development centre of UET.

He also announced the establishment of energy technology park at City Campus of UET (KSK) and urged to start research on In-Situ coal gasification and high pressure transport gasifier.

 

[waraich66]

though slow but atleast things are moving

Duplicate post mod please merge both posts

Thanks