PCSIR starts producing energy from Thar coal

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (PCSIR) on Thursday demonstrated the production of electricity from coal at Thar which may help overcome current energy shortage in the country.

Giving details of this breakthrough, Chairman PCSIR Dr. Shaukat Pervez said Thar coal can play a pivotal role in meeting the energy requirements, both in long term and short basis.

Currently, energy crisis is causing Rs 230 billion loss every year to national economy, he added.

He said Thar coals total reserve is equivalent to 50 billion tonnes of oil which is more than combined oil reserves of Iran and Saudi Arabia.

These coal reserves are 42 times greater than total gas-reserves discovered in Pakistan, he added.

The Chairman PCSIR further said cost of one tonne lignite (Coal) is Rs 2800 which can produce 160 litres diesel, adding in this way cost of 1 litre diesel will be around Rs 18.75.

He further said that PC-1 "Design, Manufacturing and commissioning of pilot plant for conversion of coal gas into diesel and liquid fuel", has been submitted and added as soon this project is completed, Pakistan will have enough energy to meet the needs of the country.

According to sources in Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), current installed power capacity, is 19,566 mw, while demand is 24,474 mw with a gap of 6,577mw in the country.

The sources further said that if the current situation continues, then in 2015, demand of power could reach to 36,217mw while gap up to 18,320mw and in 2020, demand could be 54,359mw while gap could be 36,462mw.

If steps are not taken to overcome the crisis, then in 2025, demand could jump to 80,566mw and gap up to 62,669, while in 2030, the demand could be 113,695mw while gap could reach to 95,798mw.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011