Pakistan Secures China's Approval to Convert Imported Coal Power Plants to Local Coal
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and Energy Minister Owais Leghari achieved significant progress regarding imported coal power plants.
Sources indicate that China has given the green light to convert three imported coal power plants to local coal, as these plants are currently generating the most expensive electricity in Pakistan.
The 1320 MW Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, 1320 MW Hub Power Plant, and 1320 MW Port Qasim Power Plant are all operating on imported coal and are among the costliest electricity producers in the country's energy mix.
Sources further reveal that China has responded positively to the re-profiling of these coal power plants.
It has also been confirmed that a procedure has been established to advance the matters concerning the imported coal power plants. Chinese officials assured the Pakistani delegation of full support regarding Panda Bonds.
This visit comes at a time when Pakistan is grappling with a severe electricity crisis due to capacity payments to IPPs. Meetings between Pakistani and Chinese officials will continue to address the conversion, re-profiling, and other related issues of the three power plants.
