CPEC power plants slash gas, oil bills by utilizing domestic coal

October 19, 2023 (MLN): The China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) power plants are alleviating the financial burden of the country by efficiently utilizing its coal reserves, thereby significantly reducing the oil and gas bills.

Over the course of 18 years, the percentage of the population in Pakistan with access to electricity increased by a meager 1.1 percentage points over the last 18 years.

However, the CPEC power plants have effectively increased this base by 3.8 percentage points in just 4 years with a capacity of 9,740MW.

Inside the Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine Power Project, an open-pit coal mine with an annual lignite output of 7.8 million tons and a total capacity of 1,320MW, is providing the most cost-effective energy to millions of Pakistani households, as APP reported.

Gul Hassan, a mining engineer with Sino Sindh Resources (Pvt.) Ltd. (SSRL), told China Economic Net (CEN), "The Thar Block-1 project has been instrumental in transforming the lives of people in Thar."

Furthermore, renewable energy projects of water, wind, etc. under CPEC are also optimizing the country’s energy structure.

Peerzada Zain ul Abideen, O&M manager of PowerChina HDEC Engineering Company Limited Pakistan, proudly said that the 12 projects in Jhimpir of his company have generated 1888.29 GWh of electricity so far.

In Gharo, Sindh, Muhammad Saleem Munshi, Chief Financial Officer of Hydrochina Dawood Power (Pvt) Limited said that the wind speed in the area is up to 7 meters per second.

If properly developed, it can meet 5%-10% of the nation’s power demand.

Stimulating the creation of local jobs Data from the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan shows that till the end of 2022, CPEC has generated a total of 236,000 jobs in Pakistan.

"Locals find learning and working opportunities here. Most of the engineers, managers, and workers are from nearby areas", Peerzada Zain ul Abideen said.

"I myself have also been offered a job that my family and friends are proud of and a good salary," he added.

Muhammad Waqas, Director of Finance of the UEP 100MW wind farm in Jhimpir said the most worthwhile thing he ever did was to choose wind power as his career while he also holds certificates in computer programming, teaching, and accounting. "I can learn state-of-the-art technologies of one of the most promising sectors.

Chinese brothers are transferring the advanced mechanism to Pakistan", he said, adding, "Before the pandemic, I went to China every year to learn about power-related technologies and business know-how".

Rejuvenating social & economic development with total funds of $25 bn that have been invested in energy, IT, transport, etc. under CPEC so far, local social and economic conditions are being greatly improved.

In Gharo, Sindh, due to the 49.5 MW Dawood Wind Power Project, a closed school in a nearby village with about 600 families living in it can reopen and provide education to children. "We were surprised to find that the deserted school was used as a poultry storage house," Muhammad Saleem Munshi said. 

Breakthroughs in industrial cooperation have also been achieved.

"To achieve the above goals, we have to go through a lot of technical, commercial and legal procedures which may take some time, but we are pretty much hopeful and determined for this. So, this is just beginning!" Samee Ullah stated.

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