Thar coal project

In an energy-starved country such as ours, the news that the government has issued a letter of intent for a 1,000MW coal-based power plant in Thar is welcome. But, going by the previously slow progress on exploiting Thar’s coal reserves, expectations must not run too high.

Even if the scheme is deemed feasible and all technical and procedural requirements are met, it will be at least six years before it generates electricity. But it is a start nonetheless, considering that Pakistan does not have too many options at this point for overcoming its energy crisis. Also, politics has as much a part to play in steering the country’s energy policy as do technical concerns. US displeasure over the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline may hamper movement on that project, while there are fears that the expected Pakistan-China nuclear energy deal could encounter difficulties. Given this background it is essential that the country has dependable backup sources of energy which will allow it to become self-reliant in power production. Coal may well be the answer to ensuring self-reliance and energy security to some extent. The economic aspect of using coal to generate electricity must also be considered, as it is cheaper than gas and furnace oil.

However, coal is not a clean fuel. Emissions from coal-fired power plants can have adverse effects on the environment and human health. One way to counter the environmental hazards of burning coal is to apply the gasification process, which may significantly reduce pollution. Work is under way to apply this process to Thar coal. In addition to making use of coal, the energy authorities can focus on starting more environmentally friendly projects in the country. The potential of generating wind energy along the Sindh-Balochistan coastal belt is considerable, as is that of harnessing solar power across the country. The government must seriously consider these options. Clearly, Pakistan cannot afford to not exploit Thar’s over 175 billion tons of coal reserves if it wants to overcome its energy crisis. At the same time environmental concerns must also be addressed.
-www.dawn.com