Provincial Minister for Mines & Mineral Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan has said that Government is utilizing maximum resources to correct Energy-Mix through coal-fired and solar power projects.
He said that while speaking at a National Experts Conference on “Coal and Alternative Energy Resources” at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry today. The LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz, Vice President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi, Convener LCCI Standing Committee on Coal & Alternate Fuels Fazal Ahmad, Vice Chancellor of UET Prof. Dr. Fazal Ahmad Khalid, Director Technical & Operations DG Khan Cement Dr. Muhammad Kashif and Lecturer of GCU Fatima Akram were the key speakers. The Minister said that the government is spending sufficient amount of energy and resources for the promotion of alternate energy resources. He said that a 100-MW solar power project is already operational in Punjab while a number of coal-fired power projects including a 300 MW in Pind Dadan Khan and 1320 MW project in Sahiwal are in the pipeline that would help overcome energy challenges. Provincial Minister said that Punjab government is restructuring the mining sector as lack of modern technology is coming in the way of fully exploitation of coal mining. He urged the private sector to come forward and invest in mining sector that would be a great service to the country. He said that to equip mineral sector with up-to-date technology is one of the top priorities of the Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif. He said that modern technology would be helpful in utilization of domestic coal reserves which have addition quantity of sulphur and ash. Provincial Minister said that energy conservation is also need of the hour therefore business community should supplement the government efforts in this regard.
LCCI President Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that Pakistan is currently facing energy crisis. The impact of this crisis is seriously hampering our economic growth. It is high time that all the possible solutions are explored and most viable options are put into operation. LCCI President said that presently almost 40% electricity is generated through coal all over the world. In case of Pakistan, less than 1% electricity is being generated from coal. He said that countries like South Africa, Australia, China, Russia, Poland and Czech Republic generate 80,000 megawatts of electricity through underground coal gasification. Ijaz A. Mumtaz said that we in fact require such technology which is not only cost effective but also easy to be installed. China is still producing more than 75% electricity from coal. We can acquire all sort of technical and technological assistance from China as they have developed environment friendly technology. LCCI Vice President Syed Mahmood Ghaznavi said that we have to promote alternate energy resources as reliance on conventional resources like thermal is one of the biggest reasons of energy crisis. Chairman of the Standing Committee Mian Fazal Ahmad said that keeping in view the rising energy demand it is highly imperative to use cheaper fuels and indigenous coal for long term benefits to national economy. He said that with total estimated coal reserves of over 186 billion tons, Pakistan ranks sixth among coal-rich countries but yet coal’s potential has not been exploited adequately.