PPIB approves LoI for 1000 MW power plant
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
By Sajid Chaudhry
ISLAMABAD: The Private Power Infrastructure Board (PPIB) has approved issuance of Letter of Interest to M/s Hassan Associates Limited (HAL) for the establishment of 1000 MW power project on Thar coal of approximately US $1.5 billion.
According to Sindh Coal Authority, Thar coal deposits are sufficient to meet fuel requirements of the country for centuries and could generate about 100,000 MW of electricity. Only 200 million tonnes Thar coal (lignite) can produce 1000 MW electricity power up to 40 years in the country.
Share of coal in country’s energy mix is to be increased at least 19 percent by 2030 and 50 percent by year 2050.
Sindh lignite reserves are huge and suitable for power generation as compared to lignite being used in the world for electricity generation. It is a cheap dependable energy source and would meet energy requirements for centuries, re-veals a report of the authority.
The exploration license for an area of 64 km at Thar coal field has been issued by the Sindh government to the sponsors of the project, who are local investors, and their proposal has been evaluated by PPIB.
This is a major decision for utilising the indigenous resources of the country for power generation, and for generating economic activities in the area.
The decision was taken in the 69th meeting of the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) held here Tuesday under the chairmanship of Liaquat Ali Jatoi, Federal Minister for Water and Power, and was attended by Irfanullah Khan Marwat, Sindh Minister for Mines and Mineral Development, Federal Secretary for Water and Power, Federal Secretary for Pet-roleum and Natural Resources, Chairman WAPDA, Chief Secretary NWFP, Managing Director PPIB and other members and senior officials from the public and private sectors.
Mr Jatoi ex-pressed that power requirements were also growing at a fast pace due the booming economy of the country.
“We have to handle the situation with a two-pronged approach; while we need to take measures to conserve energy, and avoid its wastage, sincere efforts are required to get affordable and reliable energy into the system.”
It was appreciated that PPIB was making sincere efforts to tap the hydel resources of the country for power generation, where a total of 22 hydropower projects of around 5,700 MW were being processed.
Since most of the hydropower resources are concentrated in the province of NWFP, the support of the NWFP government was highly appreciated for development of these projects. …
Shukkkkkkkar Alhamdu’lillah. I thought this project would never kick off.