Summary Says Thar coal has 28% carbon which is most suitable for cheap power generation.
ISLAMABAD (Online) - Nuclear scientist Dr Samar Mubarikmand has said that Thar coal contains 28 percent carbon with 11.5 thousand British thermal unit (BTU) value, which is most suitable for cheap power generation.
While giving briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Petroleum and Natural Resources here on Monday that held with Senator Muhammad Yousaf in the chair, Dr Samar Mubarik said that power generation from coal is fifty percent cheap as compared to the produced through oil.
He said that Thar coal power generation project delayed because government of Pakistan allocated the funds of the project to those projects which were not included in annual Public sector development program and not approved by any authority.
Dr Samar said that several foreign companies are interested to invest in the Thar coal power project however they demands fifty percent share from the government of Pakistan. “Foreign investors are ready to invest but they asked fifty percent investment cost from the government of Pakistan” Dr Samar said.
Appraising the standing committee Dr Samar further said that in 2010 government approved 8.8 billion rupees for a pilot project of power generation through Thar coal reserves however due to delay in payments this project is lingering. Only ten percent amount was released by Pervez Ashraf regime while after coming into power current government has released ten percent amount.
Standing committee said that Thar coal discovered in 1985 and so far nothing is visible on the practical grounds. They said that matter should not be limited to the brief but some thing should be on grounds.
Chairman of the committee Senator Muhammad Yousaf asked Dr Samar Mubrik Mand to initiate work on the project through the funds that have been released by this government and demonstrate some thing before the nation. After viewing its fruitfull results the government will provide the remaining amount.
During the meeting, Secretary Minerals and Mining department of Sindh informed the committee that Sindh has 186 billion tons of coal reserves, Punjab has 235 billion tones, Balochistan 270 billion tones and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa has 129 billion tons of coal reserves.
Standing committee asked the officials to prepare a brief feasibility about utilization of coal then the committee will support you.
