ISLAMABAD: The initiatives to generate electricity from reservoirs of Thar Coal are bearing fruits as some local as well as foreign companies have shown their interest to invest billions of rupees in the mega project.
According to details regarding status of projects at Thar Coalfield, a mining company of China has shown its intention to invest US$ 1.5 billion in key infrastructure projects including mining of 5 MTPA and 900 MW - Phase-I GMC in Block-I.
In Block-II - Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company, (joint venture : 40% Sindh government and 60% Engro with two 600 Power Plant) plans to invest for Open Pit Mining.
In Block-III-A - Cougar Energy (United Kingdom) plans to invest for 400 MW Under Ground Coal Gasification Project while in Block-IV - Gorges Corp of China plans to invest for mining and to generate 1500 MW.
Similarly, in Block-V - UCG Project, Under Ground Coal Gasification Project two plants of 50 MW IGCC are planned. In Block-VI - Oracle Coalfields, PLC (UK), would invest for strip mining and in this regard it signed an MoU with Karachi Electricity Supply Corporation (KESC) for 300 MW.
An official source told APP on Thursday that PC-I for Thar-Matiari-Rahim Yar Khan Transmission has been submitted to the Planning Commission for its placement in its upcoming CDWP meeting.
He said Thar Coal and Energy Board is pursuing to develop infrastructure like laying of a transmission line, water supply schemes, laying of rail lines, construction of roads, development of coal field etc. for early completion of Thar Coal project.
The official said some incentives, concessions and protection for development of indigenous resources have also been announced which are: zero percent customs duties on import of coal mining equipment and machinery including vehicles for site use, exemption on withholding tax to shareholders on dividend for initial 30 years, exemption on withholding tax on procurement of goods and services during project construction and operations, exemption for 30 years on other levies including special excise duly, federal excise duty, WPPF and WWF.
He said in addition to the aforesaid incentives, Coal Based Power Projects and Coal Mining Projects in Sindh would also have the same incentives, concessions, protection and security package.
According to an estimate, the total reserves of coal in Pakistan are 184,656 billion tonnes. Out of these, the resources of Thar coal field alone are 175 billion tonnes.
Thar coal is low in sulphur with high calorific values, suitable to power generation and industry, he added.
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