Daily Times reported that Pakistan Electric Power Company will complete its feasibility study of the 350 MW Lakhra coal power plants a JV with Sindh government within 3 months.

This was briefed in the 5th board meeting of the Thar Coal and Energy Board at the Chief Minister’s House. The chairman of the board, Mr Qaim Ali Shah CM of Sindh chaired the meeting. The meeting was informed that the Asian Development Bank would assist in preparing the feasibility study for laying 1,200 KVA HV DC line at a cost of USD 3.5 million which would cater for 3,000 MW evacuation to the national grid in Phase I and 10,000 MW later.

About the underground coal gasification scheme, the meeting was told that PEPCO would work with Dr Samar Mubarakmand to expedite its early implementation. Cougar Energy UK had started its tendering process for the UCGS in block-3. The firm would start ground mobilization by December.

The progress on the World Bank assisted Thar Coal and Power Technical Assistance Project was also discussed and it was also brought to the knowledge of the meeting that the Sindh government’s irrigation and power department would submit the PC-I for water conduit for Thar coal fields within three months.

The board further reviewed progress of venture between Sindh government and Engro that includes engaging Chinese firms, Sinocoal and North East Bureau of China, for bankable feasibility; engaging of a German company RWE and engaging of SRK and Hagler Baily for ESIA study.

Mr Raja Pervez Ashraf vice chairman of TCEB, Mr Muhammad Afzal State Law Minister, Mr Murad Ali Shah irrigation and power minister of Sindh, Mr Jam Mehtab Dahar revenue Minister, Fazal ur Rehman Sindh chief secretary and Mines and Mr Ajaz Ali Khan Minerals/Coal and Energy Development Department secretary also attended the meeting.

(Sourced from Dailytimes.com)