Conversion to coal Will do good to power

on 03/04/2014

Government of Pakistan (GoP) seems to have decided to convert all existing and new power plants to Thar Coal versus earlier plans of using imported coal. This is in line with the agreement between Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC).

conversion-to-coal-will-do-good-to-power-2 Pakistan’s present power generation mix with 40% power coming from imported furnace oil is not sustainable and is reflected in country’s inability to utilize 100% of its generation capacity due to paucity of funds for buying furnace oil. Our furnace oil based energy tariff has gone up from 1.8 cents in mid 90s to over 15 cents at present. Thar has enormous energy potential. SECMC’s Thar Block 2 – only 1% of all Thar coal, can keep producing 4,000 MW for next 50 years. Total foreign exchange savings for 4,000 MW of Thar coal based power plants is estimated at over US $50bn for project life.

SECMC has studied Thar coal to confirm its technical, commercial and environmental viability. Government approvals have been obtained and mining is likely to start soon. G/o Sindh is working to complete the infrastructure. Mining time matches well with power generation project at Jamshoro. Genco is planning to convert Jamshoro’s oil based power plants, which will not only yield cheaper power, but also improve existing plants’ efficiency and make it a model for other Gencos and independent power producers (IPPs).

After Jamshoro, the Genco will also convert its Muzaffargarh units to Thar coal. This decision will unlock Thar’s potential and will enable GoP to meet country’s power requirements and produce other chemicals including petroleum products and urea. This will help GoP save billions of dollars spent on oil imports and thus have funds for developing industrial sector and the well being of people.

1000MW biomass power

on 18/03/2014

Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif has said that besides traditional methods, government is also trying to generate power through non-traditional sources. 1,000 MW can be generated through biomass in Punjab.

Two options have been prepared for biogas where mapping of biomass has been completed. He expressed these views (July 17) while presiding over a high level meeting on energy crisis.

Nespak’s acting MD

on 18/03/2014

Engr. Amjad A. Khan, Senior VP has taken over the charge of Acting Managing Director NESPAK. A civil engineer, he has extensive experience of 33 years comprising corporate management, project monitoring & control, MIS, project management, resource allocation, HRD and personnel administration. According to a press release, he did his BE in Civil and Structures with honors from world renowned University of Sheffield, England.

His basic schooling is from New School Model Town, Lahore and he is an old Formanite. He has been a practicing professional engineer since 1979 and started his career with NESPAK as a Junior Engineer. As Project Manager of WB funded projects on infrastructure development, he was responsible for over all coordination for designing, construction supervision and contract administration. In NESPAK, he worked on many projects of national importance such as Tarbela Units 9 and10, Kalabagh Dam Project, Mangla Power House Units 9 and 10 and projects of Atomic Energy Commission. He belongs to a family of engineers, whose contribution to national economy in early days of independence is well recognized.

Kar-Lhr motorway okayed

on 18/03/2014

PM Nawaz Sharif has approved constructing a 3+3 lane motorway between Karachi and Hyderabad. He has also okayed motorway projects linking Pindi Bhattian with Lahore and Hasanabdal with Mansehra to be built on the basis of BOT. Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Planning and Development, (July 20) said Lahore – Karachi motorway would be completed in three years and would serve as a parallel trade corridor.

National Highway Authority has been asked to initiate the project. In the meantime Pakistan and China have formed a task force for constructing the Silk Road connecting Xinjiang and Gwadar. The task force would meet in Islamabad in August. Chairman, National Development and Reform Commission, Xu Shao, would lead the Chinese delegation at the task force meeting. And Ahsan Iqbal, who signed the agreement together with Mr Shao during Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to China would lead Pakistan side.

The strategic project (est cost $18 b) will requiring many tunnels in Khunjerab Pass area in Gilgit Baltistan. The project needs many surveys, including seismic surveys, to be done by experts from both countries. We have to finalise the project in one year, added Ahsan Iqbal.

Bhasha Dam WAPDA seeks proposals

on 18/03/2014

Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) has asked three pre-qualified consortia of consultants for proposals for main works of Diamer Bhasha Dam. It is another significant development for the dam. Three pre-qualified consortia for consultancy services for project’s main works are: AECOM of United States, Mott Mac Donald Ltd of England and Lahmeyer of Germany. Apart from generating 4,500 MW of cheap hydro power, the dam will store 8.1 million acre feet of water for agriculture and tackling floods.

The dam is immensely important for country’s socio-economic development and is a priority project of federal government and WAPDA. Land acquisition, development of infrastructure in the project area and implementation of social action plan are the current activities at the site. Land is being acquired by governments of Gilgit Balitistan and Khyber while 15 contracts are being executed for constructing WAPDA offices, colonies, contractors’ camps, roads, and other infrastructure in the project area.

Here the resettlement plan has been prepared as per international guidelines. This plan includes construction of model villages for the affected and other steps for socio economic uplift of local populace. Arrange-ments are also being made to preserve pre-historic rock carvings and local cultural heritage with the help of international experts. G/o Pakistan and WAPDA are working on many options regarding financial arrangements for construction of the multi billion dollar dam.