Coal-based power generation projects is short term planning: Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that coal-based power generation projects is short term planning and can help in controlling power crisis to a large extent within a short period of time. He said that cost of production of electricity from coal is about 50% less than that of thermal energy. He said that Punjab government is working on a big project of generation of electricity from coal in the province and six sites have been selected for setting up of power plants. He said that there is a need for evolving a complete system for supply of imported coal from the seaports to the sites of the proposed power plants.

The Chief Minister constituted a sub-committee headed by Additional Chief Secretary Energy and directed to submit its recommendations within 14 days regarding the supply of coal, its off-loading at seaports and supply system of railways.

He was addressing a high level meeting, here today. Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique, Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Miachel, former federal minister Shaukat Tareen, Provincial Minister for Minerals Sher Ali Khan, Federal Secretary Ports and Shipping, General Manager Operation Railways, Chief Secretary Punjab, Acting Chairman Karachi Port Trust, Chairman Port Qasim Authority, Chairman Planning & Development, Additional Chief Secretary Energy and senior officials of Railways and NESPAK were present.

The meeting reviewed in detail the matters regarding a comprehensive system for transportation of imported coal for coal power project. The Chief Minister said that all out measures are being taken for ridding the country of the energy crisis and the work is being carried out on power generation projects round the clock under the leadership of Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that the efforts of the government will succeed and darkness would be removed from the country.

He said that every movement is precious and the concerned departments will have to move forward in a planned manner for controlling shortage of electricity. He said that there should be a close coordination between the concerned departments regarding transportation of imported coal.He said that there is a need for evolving a comprehensive mechanism for the supply of imported coal from seaports to the power generation plants through railway track. He directed that a comprehensive strategy be evolved for coal power plant projects keeping in view the future needs. He said that Chinese technology should be utilized for the off loading of coal from ships at the ports.

The Chief Minister constituted a sub-committee comprising the high-ups of concerned departments headed by Additional Chief Secretary Energy and directed that the committee should consider all aspects of the matters in a professional manner and submit its final recommendations in two weeks. The committee would comprise senior officers of Railways, Port Qasim, NTDC, Karachi Port Trust, NESPAK, PESPAK and Punjab government.

Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafiq said that the model of development evolved by Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif would be followed for proceeding in this matter and Railways will play a key role in the supply of imported coal to the proposed sites from the seaports. Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael said the way government is moving forward speedily for resolving energy crisis has given the hope that Pakistan would soon counter its shortage of electricity. He said that the target given by Punjab government for supply of coal would be achieved within the time frame.

Acting Chairman Karachi Port Trust and Chairman Port Qasim Authority gave briefing on the capacity of their respective institutions while General Manager Railways informed about the supply of imported coal through Railways.