The 14th meeting of Thar Coal and Energy Board was informed that National Transmission and Distribution Company has completed PC-1 for lying of transmission line from Thar to Matiari, at the cost of PKR 20 billion with detailed technical designs and submitted to the Planning Commission.
Mr Syed Qaim Ali Shah CM of Sindh said that Sindh Government was financing and executing development of infrastructure projects like roads, water supply, waste water disposal, airport and reverse osmosis plants for potable water for local people and project developers on fast track basis.
Mr Syed Naveed Qamar federal Minister for Water and Power, Syed Mr Murad Ali Shah provincial minister and MNA Mrs Rubina Saadat Qaimkhani and senior government officials were also present on the occasion.
Mr Ali Shah while welcoming the participants of the meeting said that the government was fully committed for development of Thar Coal which has the potential of turning the country's economy around. Thar coal resources can be used for power generation, chemical production and other uses and has the potential of providing energy security to the country.
Mr Mohammad Younus Dagha secretary Coal and Energy Development Department and MD Thar Coal and Energy Board briefed the forum about infrastructure development at the field. He also informed that NTDC has completed the PC-I at the cost of PKR 20 billion with detailed technical designs and submitted to the Planning Commission.
He pointed out that the federal government has been requested to arrange funding for this critical project either from PSDP or from international lenders like Asian Development Bank, China Development Bank or Japan International Cooperation Agency.
Mr Imtiaz Qazi secretary Water and Power gave update on the project financing through Pakistan China Joint Energy Working Group and informed that the next meeting will be held in March 2012. The Group will likely to finalize financial assistance for Thar Block II Coal Mining and Power Project of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company during its upcoming meeting.
Mr Zubair Motiwala chairman Sindh Board of Investment while briefing the Board about the process of third international competitive bidding and said that four companies China Three Gorges Corporation, Thar Coal and Power Consortia, Tae Ryun Company Limited and Australasian Continental Energy Private Limited had submitted proposals for coal mining and power generation projects in Thar.
Besides these companies, a US based consortium Thar Pak also submitted proposal to develop coal based projects in Thar. He further briefed the forum about proposed projects of all companies and their technical and financial strength.
On the recommendations of the Evaluation Committee, the Thar Coal and Energy Board has approved the allocation of Block IV of Thar coalfield to China Three Gorges Corporation which will develop open pit mine of 20 million tonne per year and mine mouth power plant of 3,000 MW in Phases II. In the first phase by 2016 they will develop 10 million tonne per year mine and power plant of 1,500 MW.
Mr Shahrukh Khan CEO of Oracle Coalfields, UK presented its detailed feasibility study for coal mining and power generation project at Block VI of Thar Coalfield. Oracle Coalfields, UK is investing USD 610 million for a coal mine of 5 million tonne per year capacity. Oracle has also signed a MOU with KESC to develop initially 300 MW mine mouth power plant with plan to develop up to 1100 MW at the Block VI site.
Dr Samar Mubarakmand chairman Underground Coal Gasification Project briefed the TCEB that the progress of its R & D Project of Underground Coal Gasification at Block V of Thar Coalfield and informed that the Syn Gas of 130 Btu is being produced from Thar which may be used for power generation and can also be used as town gas.
The Board decided that international Expression of Interest should be called by Private Power Infrastructure Board and Thar Coal and Energy Board to attract private sector for installing UCG based Power Plant and for other possible uses of Syngas.
(Sourced from Associated Press of Pakistan)
