In a strategic move aimed at reducing reliance on foreign imports, the Pakistani government has announced plans to increase the use of indigenous Thar coal for power generation. This transition is projected to save the country $2 billion annually by reducing its import bill.
The first phase of the initiative will see the conversion of the 600-megawatt Lucky Power Plant to run on locally sourced Thar coal. To facilitate coal transportation, a 120-kilometer railway line connecting Thar to Chor is expected to be completed by December, enabling efficient coal distribution.
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The second phase of the plan includes converting the Sahiwal and Bin Qasim power plants to use domestic coal. While the Lucky Power Plant was originally designed for local coal use, other plants currently running on imported coal will require technological modifications to accommodate the shift.
The government also plans to make Thar coal accessible to industries such as cement manufacturing, extending its economic benefits beyond power generation. This shift in Pakistan’s energy strategy underscores the government’s focus on leveraging local resources, reducing import dependence, and strengthening the national economy.
