Tharcoal Energy Board approves four power projects

[LahoreEstate]

KARACHI (August 23 2009): Tharcoal Energy Board approved four power generation projects. The approval was granted in the 4th meeting of the board held here at Chief Minister House with its Chairman, Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Qaim Ali Shah in the chair.

Later, Chairman Tharcoal Energy Board Sindh CM, Syed Qaim Ali Shah, Vice Chairman, Federal Minister for Water and Power, Raja Pervez Asharaf, Member of the Board, Federal Finance Minister, Shaukat Tareen and a prominent scientist, Dr Samar Mubarakmand addressed a joint press conference.

They said the meeting has given approval that the Planning Commission of Pakistan will launch a pilot project of underground gasification by utilisation of coal to generate 50 megawatt (MW) of electricity within one year. The prominent scientist, Dr Samar Mubarakmand will supervise the project, they said.

The second project approved by meeting will be jointly executed by the Engro Chemical and Sindh government to generate 1000 MW electricity, they said. They informed that the PEPCO will also initiate a project of 1000 MW power generation. The fourth project about generation of 400 MW electricity will be executed by a private company.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister, Raja Pervez Asharaf said that we want to utilise the Tharcoal for generation of low-cost electricity as soon as possible. He said that the Engro Chemical will work on the one Block, out of total eight site at Tharcoal area.

The Federal Minister termed the Tharcoal as a very precious gift of Allah for the country and said its proper utilisation will turnaround the economy of the country in the future. Speaking on the occasion, Federal Finance Minister, Shaukat Tareen said the coal is being used for power generation throughout the world, which means that the Tharcoal reserve could also be utilised for the same.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman of Tharcoal Energy Board, CM Sindh, Syed Qaim Ali Shah said that the projects will attract local and foreign investors and it will also create more jobs opportunities as ultimately it will give boost to the economy. To a question, Federal Minister, Raja Pervez Asharaf said the electricity to be produced from Tharcoal is expected to be cost about Rs 2 to 3 per unit.

Federal Minister, Shaukat Tareen told a questioner that the Tharcoal project will be a landmark achievement of the present democratic government. He told another questioner that we want to generate 10000MW electricity from Tharcoal by year 2020.

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