ISLAMABAD: The government has decided to convert the existing thermal plants – capable of producing 4,200 megawatts (MW) of power – to coal to produce cheaper energy. The process will be completed in 16 months time.
Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said this while meeting with the Ambassador of Germany to Pakistan, Dr Cyrill Nunn who called on him on Thursday to discuss various matter of mutual interest and bilateral cooperation.
The minister briefed him on the present energy situation, steps to overcome the energy crisis and strategy to produce cheaper electricity from renewable sources – hydel, coal, wind and solar.
Mukhtar briefed the German envoy that the government has made a decision on a policy of conversion of oil-fired power plants with the capacity of 4,200MW to operate on imported coal to produce affordable energy. He said that wind projects are also under construction and will start feeding 250MW to the national grid soon. The government is utilising all the resources available to bridge the demand and supply gap, he added.
Nunn said that a number of German companies are already operating in Pakistan’s power sector while others are keen to invest in the country’s renewable energy projects. The ambassador also informed Mukhtar that the German consulate offices will be switched to run on solar energy.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 17th, 2012.
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What happened to the brilliant RPP ?
Does this idiotic Govt have any idea as to the costs involved in this conversion process ? Have the people of this Nation really lost their basic ability to think for themselves as to viability and that is even if its implemented in first place ! Why do Pakistan keep having leaders of this calabre ? Its almost an insult to one's intelligence !
im stunned that it has taken the government 4 years to talk about coal conversion of its thermal power plants. the impact of this is will be huge. although i think it will take a change of government before any progress takes place on this initiative.