Punjab Minister for Energy Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan has said that energy crisis will be over by 2018 as Provincial as well as federal government are utilising all possible sources to meet the needs of energy by promoting Energy Mix along with completing the power projects based on coal, gas and solar sources.
Punjab government is spending sufficient amount of funds on energy production by promoting alternate energy resources. A number of coal fired power projects including 300 MW in Pind Dadan Khan and 1320 MW project in Sahiwal are also in the pipeline that would help overcome the energy challenges faced by this country, he assured.
Presiding over a meeting on Monday he said Provincial government has introduced semi mechanised mining technology and latest machinery to get maximum production of local coal to operate its coal fired power plants. "We are lucky to have 600 million tons of local coal reserves in Salt Range area of the province, Punjab government is providing maximum possible facilities and incentives to local and foreign investors, private sectors and industrialists for mining of these coal reserves at low production cost", he said. He said 100 MW, Quaid-e-Azam Solar Power Plant at Bahawalpur, has started its production whereas work at RLNG based power plants at Bhikki, Hawaili Bahadur Shah and Balluki are underway speedily. Punjab government has also started its 250 MW Wind Energy project at district Rajanpur in Southern Punjab. The project will be completed next year
The minister said that promotion of latest technology in the Mining Sector and capacity building of Mines and Minerals department for it would be helpful in utilisation of domestic coal reserves. He said that energy conservation is also the need of the hour for which consumers should supplement the efforts of the government. The Punjab government is restructuring the mining sector and foreign investment in mining sector is also encouraged with huge incentives.