Hubco to set up two power projects in Thar

Wants Sindh government to execute Left Bank Outfall Drain scheme for provision of water

KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah directed Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) to start expansion of the mining work in its phase-I project so that two other private companies could establish their coal-based power plants at Thar.

This he said while chairing a meeting at the Chief Minster House on Monday.

Hub Power Company (Hubco) will be setting up two power projects of 330 MW each, in Thar. Thar Energy Limited (TEL) and ThalNova Power Thar Limited (TN) are partners with Hubco on the project that are part of Phase-II of Sindh Coal Mining Company Block-II. TN is also at an advanced stage of arranging finances.

Hubco has already started its work and wants the provincial government to execute the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) scheme, under which water would be provided to the coal power projects.

Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh said that Nespak had been appointed for study of pre-treatment system for LBOD. He added that the work would be started once the study was submitted and approved by the CM. Since TEL would require water in June 2020 and therefore, pre-treatment system needed to be installed before June 2020.

Hubco, Fauji Fertilizer to set up coal-fired power plant

Irrigation Minister Nasir Shah said that the portions of LBOD schemes facing delay would be taken up shortly. He said he would personally visit the area where work has been suspended.

The chief minister directed the irrigation department to prepare the water use agreement for TEL and TN. He also apprised the participants that the two Thar Coal power plants, that can produce 660MW, were generating 500MW during their testing period. This generation would reach 660MW in the second week of June.

The CM termed it a big success and said he would personally visit the plant when it started operating at its maximum capacity.

The meeting was attended  by Palnning and Development Chairperson Naheed Shah, Principal Secretary to CM Sajid Jamal Abro, Irrigation Secretary Jamal Shah, Finance Secretary Najam Shah, Energy Secretary Musadiq Khan, House of Habib Chairperson Ali Habib, Engro CEO Ghias Khan, SECMC Chairperson Khurshid Jamali, SECMC CEO Syed Abul Fazal, Thal Energy Limited (TEL) and Thal Nova CEO Saleemullah, Engro Energy CEO Ahsan Zafar, Thar Coal Managing Director Tariq Ali Shah and other relevant officers.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 7^th, 2019.