Decision to make coal-based power plants lauded
27 Jun 2016
Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders on Sunday backed the decision of the government to construct coal-based power plants along CPEC.
Government should try to use maximum quantity of Thar coal for power generation to cut oil import bill as gas supply form Iran or Turkmenistan is not possible any time soon while enhancing LNG imports will take time, it said.
Reserves of native natural gas are depleting, exploration process is highly satisfactory therefore coal has become fuel of choice, said Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt.
He said Pakistan's energy mix is far from balanced; the power sector is heavily dependent on imported fuel which is among the reasons behind circular debt and high electricity tariff.
He said the government should adopt advanced coal conversion technology and try to use Thar coal which will help cut fuel import bill, create thousands of jobs and achieve energy security.
He said government should also develop skills to deal with clean coal combustion technology and develop related machinery locally in few years.
Government should do more to encourage wind farms and try building latest nuclear power stations to meet growing energy requirements and ensure sustainable socio-economic development of the country, he added.
Source:DailyTimes