Thar-Coal project to produce cheap electricity: Dr Samar

ISLAMABAD: Renowned scientist Dr Samar Mumbarkmand on Saturday said the country had third biggest coal reserves which could be utilized for producing cheap electricity.

Talking to Pakistan Television, he said that scientists were working on the Thar-Coal project to meet the growing demand of the electricity in the country. The estimated cost of the project is $115 million, he said.

The Thar-Coal project will yield 100 Mega Watt (MW) electricity, he added. He said that 40 per cent electricity in the world is generated through coal.

Dr.Samar Mumbarakmand said besides producing of cheaper electricity, 100 million barrel diesel and gas could be produced through Thar-coal which would be sufficient for 30 years.

Thar-coal field has enough reserves for 500 years, he said. He said that foreign countries had shown keen interest in the project.

He hoped that after the success of the project, foreign companies would come forward for investing in this sector.

Dr.Samar said that the massive support of government was available to continue the project. He said that gasifires have been introduced which are being effective and result-oriented.

It is the government's top priority to improve the energy sector, he said. Dr.Samar said that there is a serious need to focus on utilizing coal which is available in the biggest quantity.

He said that investors can be obtained 20 per cent profit after investing their money in this sector.

The scientist said: "It is a cost effective project which must be implemented in letter and spirit for overcoming the energy crisis in the country."

He said that the project will start producing gas by August this year. He added that the project will also yield cheap diesel.

"We will try to use the Thar water for irrigation purpose, and for this, we are working on it," he said.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011