Pakistan is urged to tap indigenous coal

Islamabad:

Pakistan’s renewable energy ambitions should be balanced with the strategic use of Thar coal to achieve energy security and maintain a stable base load, rather than relying on imported fuels. This was the consensus at a seminar titled “Leveraging Domestic Coal Resources for Sustainable Energy in Pakistan”, organized by the US Pakistan Center for Advanced Energy Studies (USPCAS-E), NUST. Experts pointed out that converting imported coal-based power plants to local coal could reduce tariffs for consumers and ease the financial burden of coal imports on the national economy.

Dr Majid Ali, Associate Professor at USPCAS-E, presented a white paper detailing the potential benefits of using Thar coal for power generation. He pointed out that despite the availability of significant domestic coal resources, Pakistan continues to rely on costly imported fuel, hampering economic growth. He recommended that upcoming power plants like Jamshoro Power Company Limited-1 (JPCL-1) should immediately switch to local coal, setting a precedent for others. He also advocated the development of a strong railway system to ensure efficient transport of coal from the Thar.

Ali Nawaz, DG Thermal at the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), dispelled myths about the quality of Thar coal, noting that its sulfur content is comparable or even lower than that of imported coal. He highlighted successful tests at local power plants, including Lucky Power Electric and Shanghai Electric. Nawaz revealed that PPIB had engaged a German consultant to assess the feasibility of converting imported coal-based facilities, such as those at Sahiwal and Port Qasim, to Thar coal. He also announced the Prime Minister’s imminent inauguration of a rail link between Thar and Chor, which is expected to further support local coal use.

Farrukh Ahmed, Head of Environment at Bestway, shared that his company had successfully switched to using Thar coal, saving significant costs.