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Islamabad, October 03, 2012 (PPI-OT): A Special Meeting of the Thar Coal and Energy Board was held under the Chairmanship of the Prime Minister of Pakistan at Prime Minister’s Secretariat on 3rd October, 2012. The meeting was attended by Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Chief Minister Sindh, Federal Ministers Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Mr. Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Dr. AsimHussain, Syed Khursheed Shah and Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq. Provincial Ministers from Sindh Government including Syed Murad Ali Shah, Jam SaifullahDharejo, Jam MehtabDahar and Chairman Sindh Board of Investment Mr. Mohammed Zubair Motiwala, Syed Asad Ali Shah, ex-member TCEB, MsRubinaSaadatKaimkhani, MNA, Raja Mohammad Abbas, Chief Secretary Sindh,Dr. Samar Mubarakmand, Mr. Ajaz Ali Khan, MD Thar Coal and Energy Board, Mr. Aliuddin Ansari, President Engro Corporation, Mr. Shamsuddin Ahmed Shaikh, CEO Sindh Engro Coal Mine Company and also attended the meeting.
MD Thar Coal and Energy Board and President Engro Corporation briefed the forum about preparedness of Thar Coal Mining Project of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company. They further briefed that the use of imported coal for conversion of existing power plants and installation of new coal based power plants on imported coal will not be economically viable and we should use indigenous fuel for this purpose.
The meeting discussed the strategic and critical importance of Thar Coal for Pakistan’s Energy Security in the context of GENCO’s plans of conversion of more than 800 MW existing power plants owned by various generation companies to Coal and its plan for setting up a new power plant of 600 MW. A presentation was made on the readiness of Thar Coal and its plan to expeditiously develop the mining project to meet the requirements of Gencos.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan said that we should not look for short-term solutions rather focus on the long term vision for meeting the energy needs of the Country. He further said that Thar is the only viable option for meeting Pakistan’s future energy needs and we should plan all our projects on Thar Coal rather than Imported Coal.
Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said that the Ministry of Water and Power is fully supportive of the Thar Coal development as it is the long term solution for Pakistan’s energy requirements. Syed Khursheed Shah, while giving historical background of Thar Coal development, said that it was under the visionary leadership of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto who had initiated this project in 1994, however, successive governments shelved this project of National importance.
He further said that we should support the Government of Sindh and Engro for early completion of Thar Coal Project. Syed Murad Ali Shah emphasized that it is the vision of Pakistan People Party’s Government that Thar Coal Development is being accelerated and today we have to set future policy for our energy mix and reliance on indigenous resources rather than depending on imported fuels.
After detailed discussion, following decisions were made: a) All conversion of existing Oil-based Power Plants as well as new coal-based Power Projects, both owned by Gencos and Private Sector should be designed on Thar Coal specifications.
b) A coal Off-take Agreement between GENCO and SECMC for supply of coal for existing 800 MW Jamshoro Power Plant and for the new 600 MW Power Plant at Jamshoro signed within one week c) The Government of Pakistan will provide Sovereign Guarantee for debt portion of Thar Block-II Mining Project Financing
For more information, contact:
Mr. Allah Bachayo Memon
Press Secretary
Chief Minister House
Tel: +9221 99202019
Cell: +92300-3524057 (Ext: 336)