Thar coal best for low-cost electricity generation: ICST

Six thousand megawatt power generation will be achievement of Government

Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders on Thursday said Thar coal is the best resource to generate cheap electricity.

This gift of nature which can help generate billions of megawatt of energy should get the attention of the policymakers it deserves, it said.

Thar coal is the best and most economical solution to settle the energy crisis, said Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt.

He said that government should also initiate efforts for a consensus on the Kalabagh dam which is very important for the survival of the country.

Increasing Chinese investment in Thar coal and increased the interest of other countries is a good development which will help our economy, he added.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that so far Thar coal has not helped a lot to alleviate sufferings of people and economy despite the fact that country cannot afford to delay exploitation of lignite deposits estimated at 185 billion tonnes.

He said that coal reserves matching oil reserves of Saudi Arabia and Qatar can ensure energy security for centuries and earn sufficient money to upgrade transmission and distribution network reducing losses.

The government should review issues like facilities, infrastructure, incentives, coordination, tariff, and pricing to get the maximum benefit of coal reserves, he demanded.

He said that by 2025, around fourteen power plants based on Thar Coal would be producing 6000 MW electricity in the country which will be a great achievement of the government.