Thar coal mining project in Pakistan | Updates & Discussions.

[Omar1984]

‘Pakistan has potential to generate 50,000 MW electricity’ ​

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan has the potential to generate 50,000 MW electricity from Thar coal field for 800 years while work is on to produce 100 MW power from this field within next 15-18 months.

This was said by Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, Member, Science & Technology, Planning Commission while addressing business community at Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry. He said conditions are very favorable to produce electricity from Thar through coal gasification process.

He said as a pilot project, 100 MW electricity will be produced from Thar while in the next phase 500 to 1000 MW power plants will be installed to generate power through coal gasification. He was optimistic that after about 3 years Pakistan will be able to install first 1000 MW power plant in Thar.

Dr. Samar said power generated from coal gasification will be the cheapest which will be sold to Sindh government at the rate of Rs.3.90 per unit. He said our focus is to produce turbine and generators in the country as 75 percent cost of a power plant is incurred on import of these equipments.

He said Pakistan is blessed with 1.2 trillion dollars copper and goldreserves mostly in Balochistan and our country could become financially very strong by exploiting these reserves. Highlighting other projects, he said textile and garments cities have been set up in many cities of the country to facilitate the businessmen while an Expo Centre at the cost of Rs.2.2 billion is being set up in Lahore for promotion of exports.

In his welcome address, Zahid Maqbool, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI) said that manufacturing and industrial units were badly suffering due to shortage of energy and natural energy resources should be utilized to provide cheap energy to industry.

 

[ajpirzada]

only refreshing to let others know this thread already exists

 

[Hutchroy]

only refreshing to let others know this thread already exists

ajpirzada Sir,

With such humungous Coal Reserves of over 150 Billion Tons why would Pakistan need Nuclear Power?

 

[Omar1984]

ajpirzada Sir,

With such humungous Coal Reserves of over 150 Billion Tons why would Pakistan need Nuclear Power?

Pakistan is a Nuclear Power because India is a Nuclear Power.

Regarding Coal reserves, the Government of Pakistan in the past has failed to make good use of them

 

[Hyde]

ajpirzada Sir,

With such humungous Coal Reserves of over 150 Billion Tons why would Pakistan need Nuclear Power?

You have water in your house why you want to drink Coca Cola? or Sprite or Red Bull? (joking)

 

[ajpirzada]

ajpirzada Sir,

With such humungous Coal Reserves of over 150 Billion Tons why would Pakistan need Nuclear Power?

one obvious reason is diversification. second ... its the cheapest source of electricity over its life time. third.... to get ourselves recognised in nuclear club. fourth.... why not have option of civilian nuclear trade open to ourselves for future?

 

[Hammy007]

i think coal reserves in pakistan are huge by quantity but low in quality and the same stands for the iron reserves huge by quantity, low in quality, the iron ores are too impure and not usable..

 

[Omar1984]

Coal reserves to help in overcoming power crisis: Qaim ​

KARACHI: A meeting was held between Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and a delegation led by Managing Director Global Risk Management, Mr David Lipton at the CM House on Wednesday to discuss the load shedding problem and opportunities of power generation in the country.

The Chief Minster Sindh informed the American delegation about Sindh’s natural resources and ongoing development in Thar Coal project, adding that Sindh has the best quality coal which could be used in power generation.

He said Pakistan ranks sixth in terms of coal reserves in the world. He said the country is combating with a power crisis because of shortage of water in its rivers, increase in thermal power tariff of and scarcity of gas resourses. He informed that Pakistan has vast reserves of coal and power crisis could be overcame by using this coal. He asked the Global Country Risk Management to help in installing barge power plant near shore.

State Minister and Chairman of the Investment Board, Saleem Mandviwala, Sindh Minister for irrigation and Power Syed Murad Ali Shah, Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister for Investment, Mr Zubair Motiwala, member of the Thar Coal Board, Syed Asad Ali Shah and Sindh Secretary for Minerals Ijaz Ali Kahn also briefed on the occasion.

 

[Omar1984]

Coal-fired power plant in Badin to be completed in 24 months ​

KARACHI, Apr 14, 2010 (Asia Pulse Data Source via COMTEX) --

Sindh government in a cabinet meeting approved a joint venture partnership with Al-Abbas Power to invest in a mechanized mine and a 600 MW power plant in Badin, Sindh. The cabinet meeting was held at Sindh Secretariat under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah.

According to Ajaz Ali Khan, Secretary Coal and Energy Development Department, the present government has made history by joining hands with another private organization in building a mechanized coal mine and a 600 MW power plant in Sindh on a fast track basis. Owing to its ideal location in Badin with an existing infrastructure this project is expected to be completed in 24 months. This is the second joint venture on coal project that government of Sindh has approved. Sindh-Engro joint venture was the first that we signed in September of 2009. And in just over six month we have approved another significant joint project, Khan added.

Over 95% of coal is concentrated in Thar coalfield area; however Badin has an estimated resource of 1.3 billion tons enough to sustain 3600 MW of power plant in Badin. Shumaid Qureshi, Managing Director of Al-Abbas Power, said, We are honoured to have the support of the government of Sindh. Our mission is to reduce the dependency on foreign fuel sources and exploit the use of indigenous fuel sources.

We have been exploring coal in Badin area since 2006 and after lots of investment and hard of our team we are blessed to have found 250 million tons of coal. The city of Badin has well developed infrastructure facilities with fully developed highways, connected roads, railway tracks and airstrip. Badin also has education institutions and hospitals and is connected with national power grid. Salient features of the joint venture are as under: The project includes an underground mechanized mine and 600MW power plant. A 300MW power plant will be developed first followed by another 300MW.

A company proposed to be called Sindh-Al-Abbas Joint Venture Ltd. Government of Sindh and Al-Abbas Power Ltd will be equity partners in 40:60 ratio (60 percent Al-Abbas) in the mining and power plant project. The Company will ensure that skill development programs are put in place along with training facilities for loans of the area. Two percent of profit before tax to be spent on corporate social responsibility related activities in Badin and other areas of Sindh. (International Standard is percent)

Board of Directors to compromise 10 directors in 60:40 ratio, Chairman to be nominee of Government of Sindh and CEO of Al-Abbas.

 

[Omar1984]

Sindh Cabinet decides for Badin Coal mining and power plant joint venture with Al-Abbas group ​

KARACHI, April 12 (APP): Sindh Cabinet which met here Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah gave go ahead for the Rs 61.5 billion joint venture project with Al-Abbas Group for coal mining at Badin Coal field alongwith a 300 MW power generation plant. Prior to the decision taken, a 3-member cabinet sub-committee comprising Provincial Ministers Syed Sardar Ahmed, Syed Murad Ali Shah and Advisor to CM, Qaisar Bengali, presented their report on the feasibility of this joint venture project.

Later, briefing newsmen about the Cabinet decisions, CM’s Advisor for Information Jamil Soomro said that the project will be completed in 24 months with an estimated cost of Rs 18.450 billion on coal mining and Rs 43.050 billion on power plant.

Soomro said that the Cabinet also had the review of Rs 75 billion 2009-2010 Annual Development programme and Advisor for Planning and development briefed the cabinet on the ADP.

Soomro said that the Cabinet will meet again on Tuesday when Finance Department will give a briefing.

He said that ADP for 2009-2010 had the record allocation as against Rs 50 billion allocated for ADP 2008-09.

Replying a question, he said that the coal mining and power plant project will be a joint venture between Sindh Government and Al-Abbas group, a financial group, with 40:60 ratio.

He told a questioner that the sub-Committee in its report said that Sindh Government can have this joint venture with Al-Abbas group and work thereon will start soon.

Replying volley of questions, he denied any altercation having taken place between CM and Sardar Ahmed and said neither any issue regarding delimitations in Sindh was taken by MQM. He said that there had been normal discussion on the items on the agenda.

He said that today’s agenda for cabinet meeting remained incomplete because the Chief Minister was to leave for Quetta in connection with NFC Award.

He told a questioner that after Thar Coal, it is the biggest investment coming in Badin Coal field.

Advisor information said that after Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, a detail briefing will be given to journalists.

Sindh Secretary for Information Syed Mumtaz Ali Shah, Director General Syed Safdar Shah and Director Information Mohammed Iqbal were also present on the occasion.

 

[Omar1984]

CAMC to invest in coal power, mining sector ​

ISLAMABAD, Apr 8 (APP): A three-member Chinese delegation of CAMC Engineering Company Limited, here on Thursday called on Chairman Board of Investment (BoI) Saleem H. Mandviwalla to get an insight on the investment policy and the incentives offered to foreign investors in Pakistan.

The delegation, led by Senior Advisor of the company Li Wuquan, is visiting Pakistan since April 5, a BOI press statement said.

The delegation already has met various officials of ministries including Ministry of Water and Power, Capital Development Authority and National Highway Authority.

BoI Chairman appreciated the Chinese companies and businessmen in Pakistan for their continued support and investment towards developing various economic sectors.

He highlighted the policy parameters of investment in Pakistan and a number of fiscal and financial incentives offered to foreign investors.

He underlined the policy, which allows 100 percent foreign equity in the major sectors and full repatriation of profits and dividends in all the sectors.

Saleem Mandviwalla said that Pakistan currently has bilateral investment treaties for investment protection with 48 countries and avoidance of double taxation with 52 countries.

He said that the government was committed to restore macroeconomic stability in the country and it has initiated a ‘9-Point Programme’ to increase productivity, efficiency and high growth.

This programme includes macroeconomic stabilization, social development including social protection, agriculture productivity enhancement, agribusiness and agro process promotion and industrial competitiveness, human capital development, reforms in energy, capital markets, public-private partnerships for infrastructure and institutional building and governance .

It may be recalled that CAMC is one of the leading infrastructure development and engineering companies in China which has shown interest in undertaking government approved mega projects in Pakistan on turn-key basis and have offered to provide finances up to 85 percent of the project cost.

Senior Advisor of CAMC Engineering Company Ltd Li Wuquan said main focus of the company was to invest in coal fired power projects and the mining sector.

He said that the delegation had been briefed on mining opportunities in all provinces of Pakistan, especially in Thar desert in southern Sindh.

 

[Kompromat]

It seems the projects are heading in the right direction.

 

[Omar1984]

CAA to develop airstrip at Thar coalfield ​

KARACHI - Sindh Coal Authority has decided to construct an airstrip near Islam Kot (Tharparkar) with a cost of Rs972 million to facilitate the investors, engineers and promoters to access to Thar coal field.

In this regard, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Sindh Coal Authority and Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) on Saturday, under which airstrip/airport will be completed within two years with the assistance of CAA.

Director General Sindh Coal Authority Ahmed Bakhsh Narejo and Project Director CAA Vikram Singh Sodho signed the MoU on behalf their organisations.

The Additional Chief Secretary Planning & Development Department Aurangzeb Haque, Secretary Finance Dr Fazalullah Pechuo, Secretary Coal & Energy Aijaz Ali Khan, representatives of investors Cooger Co Australia Ashraf Khan Block-III, Dr Shabbir of UGG Block-V, Ahsan Malik of CAA and General Manager Coal Authority Mumtaz Ali Qureshi and others attended the MoU ceremony.

After the ceremony, the Secretary Coal & Energy Department Aijaz Ali Khan talking to media said large deposits of mineral coal had been discovered around Islam Kot, which needs to be utilised for meeting growing energy requirements of the country. Explorations conducted so for have promised a long-term availability of this precious mineral resources.

The airport facility would save their precious time and also help them in avoiding hardships of ground travel, particularly during the summers when the heat reaches its peak, he said.

Under the MoU, the CAA will execute the project, however; tendering process will be started very soon.

The runway of the airstrip will spread over 7,000 feet area, while landing and take-off of every plane could be possible including C-130, he said. The proposed airstrip will help in transportation of heavy machinery from one place to coal field too.

Khan further informed that Islam Kot airstrip would be developed as a new facility from the grass root level to achieve certain economic objectives to start with a modest facility providing essentially required infrastructure and make investments in phases on the basis of actual demand/requirement. The master plan, therefore proposes three stages of development phased over next 40 years, he maintained.

He further said that billions of rupees were required to develop infrastructure at coal field and area, so the government using all possible and available sources can provide facilities there. Feasibility study is underway to connect the coal field from Karachi port to Thar coal through rail link.

Besides, provision of water facility was also underway as government is working on a plan to provide 100 cusecs water at Thar coal field from Nara canal is also under implementation, he said.

 

[Omar1984]

ADB to give $3.5 bn furnace oil for Thar Coal Project: CM ​

Sunday, April 25, 2010

By Imtiaz Hussain

SUKKUR: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah Jilani has said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged to provide $3.5 billion furnace oil for the Thar Coal Project.

Talking to reporters at the airport here on Saturday, he said the World Bank (WB) would soon execute the Thar Coal Project. He said the project would produce 3,000 to 5,000 megawatt electricity.

He said 30 per cent loadshedding will be reduced after the completion of the power plant in Badin. He said the Sindh government had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Al-Abbas Company in this regard. The chief minister said the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) would not stop power supply without displaying the schedule for loadshedding.

He said the prime minister had constituted a committee to review loadshedding.

About the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, he said those involved in it would not be spared and would be brought to the book. He took notice of the arrest of a local journalist. Meanwhile, addressing a public meeting in Khairpur with regard to the distribution of placement orders among the candidates of the National Internship Programme (NIP), the chief minister said the World Bank realised the importance of the Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Youth Development Programme (BBSYDP) and provided $16 million to the Sindh government for the programme.

He said he had met members of the WB delegation and briefed them on the BBSYDP. He said the members pledged to provide more financial assistance for the programme. He said Rs 11 billion were being spent on the communication sector.

He said the programme empowered 4,500 women in different trends while the NIP empowered just 300. He said the Sindh government provided training to the youth in 79 disciplines under the BBSYDP.

He said even in the developed countries, including the US, downsizing was going on due to recession, but the Sindh government provided jobs to 53,000 youths and more jobs would be provided to the jobless.

He said the Ministry of Labour and Manpower and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis pledged to get accommodated 500 to 1,000 skilled youth in Singapore and Malaysia. He urged the aspirants to get themselves registered with the Sindh government or the Ministry of Labour and Manpower and the Ministry of Overseas Pakistanis to avail the opportunity.

He said Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had visited Europe, the Middle East, the US and other countries in 1972 and persuaded them that there were skilled youth in Pakistan and they should be accommodated. He said these countries accepted the vision of Bhutto and accommodated hundreds of skilled youths from Pakistan and at the moment, they were millionaires, settled in the Middle East, Europe and the US.

He said people were seeking jobs since 1996. He said Article 2 of the Constitution interpreted that it was the responsibility of the State to provide job to the youth according to their expertise.

Meanwhile, the chief minister expressed his dissatisfaction over the presentation given by the North Sindh Urban Services officials to him.

 

[Omar1984]

Nepra asks govt to start work on coal-based plants ​

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) decided on Tuesday to reduce electricity tariff by 45 paisas per unit under the monthly fuel adjustment formula and asked the government agencies concerned to start working immediately on setting up coal-based power projects for decreasing reliance on expensive furnace oil.
During a hearing on monthly fuel adjustment in power tariff, Nepra Chairman Khalid Saeed said the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) and the ministry of water and power should invite tenders for setting up power projects to be run on imported coal till the Thar coal deposits were exploited and used for generating electricity because furnace oil was becoming unaffordable.

Nepra’s member from Sindh Maqbool Ahmed Khwaja criticised the Pakistan Electric Power Company and its generation companies for not fighting against diversion of gas meant for them under long-term agreements to some independent power producers (IPPs).

Representatives of the Central Power Purchase Agency (CPPA) said the gas supply had been diverted to IPPs because of their better efficiency.

Four plants of Pepco were costing Rs13.45 to Rs15.78 per unit.

Nepra disallowed incorporation into the consumer tariff of late payment surcharge being paid to private power producers as a result of circular debt.

It also disallowed a four paisa per unit increase sought by the CPPA on account of its failure to meet the target of reducing transmission losses.

Nepra said that a Rs1.02 per unit increase allowed for January and February under the fuel adjustment formula would be scrapped and a new rate of 57 paisas would apply.

Thus the fuel price will decrease by 45 paisas per unit for March that will be adjusted in next month’s bills.

Nepra was informed that total power generation in March was much lower than anticipated because of delay in the completion of several projects.

It was informed that the current cost of generating electricity from water was 44 paisas per unit, from coal Rs2.7 and from gas Rs3.65 per unit. Power generated from furnace oil costs Rs10.84 and from high speed diesel Rs14.89 per unit.

Ironically, diesel and furnace oil are used to produce over 43 per cent of the electricity supplied in the country, followed by natural gas at 30 per cent and hydropower about 22 per cent.

Nepra asked the power companies to avoid using diesel for power generation except for start-up or in emergency.

CPPA’s representatives said the generation companies used diesel only because of non-availability of gas.

They said the recent energy conference had promised restoration of 183MMcfd of gas supply for power generation, but the generation companies had been provided only 35MMcfd that would be increased to 56MMcfd in a couple of days.