Pakistan urged to tap indigenous coal

Pakistan's renewable energy ambitions should be balanced with the strategic use of Thar coal to achieve energy security and maintain a stable baseload, rather than relying on imported fuels. This was the consensus at a seminar titled "Leveraging Indigenous Coal Resources for Sustainable Energy in Pakistan," organised by the US Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E), NUST. Experts stressed that converting imported coal-based power plants to local coal could lower tariffs for consumers and ease the financial burden of coal imports on the national economy.

Dr Majid Ali, an Associate Professor at USPCAS-E, presented a whitepaper detailing the potential benefits of using Thar coal for power generation. He pointed out that despite the availability of significant indigenous coal resources, Pakistan continues to rely on costly imported fuels, hampering economic growth. He recommended that upcoming power plants, like the Jamshoro Power Company Limited-1 (JPCL-1), immediately transition to local coal, setting a precedent for others. He also advocated for the development of a robust railway system to ensure the efficient transport of coal from Thar.

Ali Nawaz, DG Thermal at the Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB), debunked myths about Thar coal's quality, noting that its sulphur content is comparable to or even lower than that of imported coal. He highlighted successful tests at local power plants, including Lucky Power Electric and Shanghai Electric. Nawaz revealed that PPIB had engaged a German consultant to assess the feasibility of converting imported coal-based plants, such as those at Sahiwal and Port Qasim, to Thar coal. He also announced the imminent inauguration of a railway link between Thar and Chor by the prime minister, which is expected to further support local coal usage.

Farrukh Ahmed, Head of Environment at Bestway, shared that his company had successfully transitioned to using Thar coal, saving significant costs.