Sindh government is likely to approach European Union (EU) to benefit from the Research Fund for Coal and Steel (RFCS) for developing Thar and Badin coalfields and overcome persisting power crises, it is reliably learnt.
Well-placed sources told Business Recorder on Tuesday that Sindh government was expected to approach the EU very shortly for getting latest research and information of the Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) technology, which would definitely help in developing Thar and Badin coalfields.
The direct funding from the EU Research Fund for Coal and Steel is restricted to only European member countries however research and information can be shared with non-members and developing countries like Pakistan, sources said. Officials of the Sindh government was considering to approach the EU after Secretary Coal and Energy Development Department Ajaz Ali Khan attended two-day fifth UCG projects international conference and workshop held recently in London, they said.
Countries that participated in the international conference include Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Ukraine, UK, USA and Vietnam, they informed.
The UCG was an emerging technology wherein developments were taking place at a fast pace, they said, adding that a large number of countries were launching projects based on this latest technology. United Kingdom (UK) has granted at least nine licenses for the UCG projects during last two years, they said.
In a report submitted to Sindh Chief Secretary, the Secretary Coal and Energy Development Department recommended that Sindh government must engage with the UCG Association so as to benefit from the latest developments. It was also recommended to subscribe to the membership of UCG Association so that regular interaction could take place, they said and added that it was also requested to approve the recommendation so that further action could be initiated.
Sources said the UCG Association (UCGA) was the recognised representative body for the global UCG industry. It is an independent and non-profit organisation focused on providing impartial and unbiased information and training on all aspects of UCG including Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). Comprising almost 12,000 professionals, the UCGA has created a community for energy professionals, a scientific and technical base for industry and a global alliance of knowledge, expertise, training, networking and information of UCG, they said.
Comments
Comments are closed.