Thar coal is called a game changer for economy

Islamabad:

Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) Director General Coal Said Ali Nawaz remarked that Thar coal is truly a game changer for Pakistan’s economy as the country has spent $6 billion on coal imports in the last three to four years.

“Over the next five years, we could reap the full benefits as the base load shifts to Thar coal. This will reduce power prices and have an overall impact of Rs2 to Rs3 on the basket price through the conversion of three imported units based on carbon,” he said.

Nawaz was addressing a seminar on “Leveraging Domestic Coal Resources for Sustainable Energy in Pakistan” on Monday, where participants highlighted the critical need to shift from imported coal to indigenous Thar coal.

The seminar was organized by the US-Pakistan Center for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), National University of Science and Technology (NUST).

The seminar delves into the findings of a recently published white paper by USPCAS-E titled “Transition from Imported to Local Coal for Achieving Energy Security in Pakistan: Opportunities & Challenges”.

The paper called for a strategic shift from imported coal to Thar coal to enhance Pakistan’s energy security and ease the economic burden of coal imports.

He pointed out that Pakistan possessed significant coal resources, estimated at over 185 billion tonnes, with the majority located in the Thar region of Sindh. These reserves could produce 100,000 megawatts of electricity for more than 200 years, greatly reducing the need for costly imports.

At the event, leading energy experts discussed the strategic importance of Thar coal in reducing Pakistan’s dependence on imported fuels and securing the country’s energy future.

Keynote discussions focused on global trends in electricity generation, Pakistan’s current energy mix, and challenges and opportunities related to the use of local coal resources.

K-Electric chief strategist Shahab Qader Khan said that Thar coal is in a take-off stage and will eventually prove to be extremely beneficial. This will also help create employment and promote sustainable development.

“Ultimately, if local coal can generate cheap electricity, it is in the national interest and should be prioritized,” said Salman Nazir, Head of Projects and Business Development, Renewable Resources (Pvt) Ltd.