Coal share in power generation rises to 25% in Pakistan

KARACHI, Dec.18 (Gwadar Pro) - Pakistan has reached historically high amount of coal for power production which accounts for around one-fourth of the total generation, helping reduce the average cost of electricity generation in October 2019.

According to National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra), coal-based power production have increased over two times to 2,357 gigawatt-hours (GWh) in October compared to 1,116 GWh in the same month of last year.

Data suggested that it is the highest-ever production based on the dirty fuel – coal – which came to around 25% of the generation mix.

Analyst Rao Aamir Ali said rise in coal-based generation was due to higher load factor and addition of China Power Hub Generation and Engro Powergen Thar to the system.

China Power Hub Generation Company (CPHGC) has set up a 1,320-megawatt plant at a cost of $2 billion at Hub, Balochistan under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

The imported coal-fired plant started commercial operations by supplying power to the national grid station in August.

The Engro Powergen Thar project of 660MW came on line in July. The local coal-fired plant was set up at an estimated cost of $1.1 billion, the Express Tribune reported.