Chinese experts have confirmed that water reserves in Tharparkar are enough to cater to the needs of up to 2000 mega watts (MW) coal-fired power plants.
Official sources in Sindh Mines and Mineral Development Department told Business Recorder here on Saturday that Chinese experts had carried out a hydrological study to evaluate the availability of water, the second biggest hurdle in setting of coal-based power plants in the province.
"Experts from China, one of the biggest investor country in Pakistan, they said:"This has dispelled the impression of water scarcity in Thar and other coal fields as stated by the investor firms intending to set up power plants with huge investments."
Earlier, a German firm RWE Power Engineering, which carried out study in Block-I of the Thar coal field, said that power plants up to 1000 MW would prove economical in the field. But now the Chinese experts recommended that plants up to 2000 MW capacity could be operated in the coalfield.
The sources said Mines and Mineral Development was also a studying another report on water resources, and added:"The report will suggest measures for rechargeability of water resources being used for the domestic and industrial purposes.
"After the report of Chinese experts, there should be no problems relating to water shortage in setting up the big capacity coal-fired power plants," they added. The Sindh government had also installed 29 reverse Osmosis plants in the Thar coalfield and other coalfields, which would facilitate people of the areas to have potable water in addition.
It may be pointed out that the major problem in setting up coal-based power plants is believed to be the indifference of concerned stakeholders in deciding the upfront tariff on power generated through these plants.