CPEC’s ThalNova to begin operations
Photo: file
China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)’s 330MW lignite fired power plant at Thar Coal Block II in Sindh successfully achieved its commercial operations date on February 17, 2023.
ThalNova is a joint venture among Hub Power Company Limited (HUBCO), Thal Limited, Novatex Limited, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), and Descon Engineering Limited.
Foreign financing for the project was arranged from a Chinese syndicate, led by the China Development Bank whereas local financing has been arranged via a syndicate led by Habib Bank Limited.
Construction on the project started in March 2019 to ensure the project reached its Commercial Operation Date (COD) in a timely manner and begins utilising local Thar coal as soon as possible.
ThalNova is a European technology-based power plant with the boiler, turbine and generator designed and manufactured by world renowned company General Electric. This leads to higher reliability standards and controls emissions to even lower than those allowed by the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA). The plant is expected to generate electricity at extremely affordable rates.
According to details, ThalNova utilises Thar coal, sourced through the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC). The utilisation of indigenous fuel is a development that will further aid in revolutionising the Pakistani energy sector.
Amidst the current economic scenario and soaring prices of fuel, cheaper energy production via the Thar coal will impact Pakistan’s development immensely.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 18th, 2023.
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