1,320MW Chinese-imported coal-fired power plant: Chinese co seeks another extension

ISLAMABAD: The management of a 1,320 megawatt Chinese-imported coal-fired power plant is reportedly making a last-ditch effort to secure another extension for coal procurement without competitive bidding as an interim arrangement for a few months, well-informed sources told Business Recorder.

Sources said a team representing the power company held a special meeting with one of the key senior office-holders of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) on November 9, 2026, seeking support for the proposed extension.

The power company is reportedly understood to have already ordered around a dozen coal cargoes without following a competitive bidding process.

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The alleged irregularities in coal procurement by the power company also came under discussion during a public hearing conducted by NEPRA on Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for September 2026.

During the hearing, Rehan Javed, representing the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), requested the NEPRA Authority to ensure that any coal procurement without a transparent bidding process should not be allowed, arguing that such purchases directly affect electricity tariffs paid by consumers.

However, in its determination, the NEPRA attributed the issue to Aamir Sheikh of Lahore.

“Regarding the query of irregularities in coal purchases by coal-based power plants by Amir Sheikh, the CPPA-G responded that coal-based power plants submit their coal purchase data to the NEPRA for indexation of Fuel Cost Component for the relevant month. The submitted data is then subject to verification and scrutiny by the NEPRA under the relevant regulatory framework,” the NEPRA stated in its determination.

Sources further revealed that a delegation of the power company had previously met another senior NEPRA office-holder to seek an extension for coal procurement without competitive bidding.

Meanwhile, certain government investigation agencies are also reportedly collecting information on the matter to prepare a report for submission to the Prime Minister.

The regulator, sources said, is likely to communicate its decision to the company within the next few days.