Thar coal-based power project in Pakistan goes live, promising benefits

February 08, 2023 (MLN): Pakistan's largest Thar coal-based power project, the Shanghai project, has officially announced its commercial operation date (COD), according to the Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB).

The project, located in Thar Block-1, has a generation capacity of 1,320 MW and was implemented under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

It was developed by Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Co, a subsidiary of Shanghai Electric, and attracted foreign investment of $1.912 billion.

The successful commissioning of the project is expected to generate 9bn units of electricity per year and save Rs250bn annually. It is also expected to reduce the country's dependence on imported fuels and result in significant savings in foreign reserves, as well as reducing the basket price of electricity.

The PPIB says that the addition of the Shanghai project brings the total production of electricity from Thar coal-based power generation plants to 2,970 MW.

Another 330 MW project, ThalNova, is currently undergoing testing and is expected to achieve COD soon.

The government anticipates that the project will bring prosperity to local and regional communities, improve the lives of Thari people, and generate employment and business opportunities.

PPIB is committed to promoting Thar coal and encouraging private sector investment to help power Pakistan's future.

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