China is not willing to assist Pakistan in many coal-based power plants in Punjab due to the costs involved in transporting coal. Gwadar coal-fired project has also failed to attract China's interest, it is learnt. According to sources, the Chinese have not shown any interest in supporting Pakistan in many coal-based power projects in Punjab, including the proposed Rahimyar Khan coal project (1320 MW) and power project in Salt Range (300MW), due to the high cost of transportation of coal.
Sources added that the Punjab government had placed these projects in the list of first priority power projects. China also did not give a positive response to the Gwadar Coal Power Project - 300 MW. China, however, evinced its interest in supporting Thar Coal-based power projects - two by the Chinese government and one by a Chinese company: (i) Engro Thar 2x330MW Coal-fired, (ii) surface mine in Block II of Thar Coal Field, 3.8 million tons/year (660 MW); and (iii) a Chinese company Harbin Electric International has expressed its willingness to establish 660MW coal-based power plant at Thar coal field Block -4.
The sources revealed that sector experts of Ministry of Planning, Development and Reforms expressed concern at implementing coal-based projects in Punjab due to financial cost of transportation of coal but political will prevailed. They told this correspondent that the Punjab Chief Minister convinced the Prime Minister to launch coal power projects in Punjab instead of Thar which is the source of coal.
The Punjab Chief Minister had shortlisted six different sites for launching coal-based power projects: Qadirabad (District Sahiwal), Bhikhi (District Sheikhupura), Haveli Bahadur Shah (District Jhang), Balloki (District Kasur), Taranda Sawaywala (Rahimyar Khan) and Mouza Karam Dad Qureshi (District Muzaffargarh). The sources said China is interested in Sahiwal 2x660 MW Coal-fired Power Plant -1320 and Quaid-e-Azam 1000MW Solar Park (Bahawalpur).
The following is list of first federal priority power sector projects: (i) Sinohydro Resources Limited & Al Mirqab Capital - 1320 MW; (ii) Suki Kinari Hydropower Station - 870 MW; (iii) Sahiwal 2x660MW Coal-fired Power Plant - 1320 MW; (iv) Engro Thar 2x330MW Coal-fired, (v) Surface mine in Block II of Thar Coal Field, 3.8 million tons/year - 660 MW; (vi) Dawood 50MW Wind Farm (Gharo, Thatta) - 50 MW; (vii) Gwadar Coal Power Project - 300 MW; (viii) Muzaffargarh coal Power Project - 1320 MW; (ix) Quaid-e-Azam 1000MW Solar Park (Bahawalpur) - 1000 MW; (x) UEP 100MW Wind Farm (Jhampir, Thatta) - 100 MW; (xi) Sachal 50MW Wind Farm (Jhampir, Thatta) - 50 MW; (xii) Sunnec 50MW Wind Farm (Jhampir, Thatta) - 50 MW; (xiii) Rahimyar Khan Coal power Project - 1320 MW; (ix) SSRL Thar Coal BlockI 6.5mtpa & CPIH Mine Mouth Power Plant - 1320 MW; and (xx) Karot Hydropower Station - 720 MW.
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