New Delhi (Sputnik): Reaching a major milestone, the journey of achieving energy efficiency, Pakistan has started commercial electricity generation from the Thar power plant. The electricity generation started Tuesday with 330MW of power being connected to the national grid.
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A video released by Pakistani authorities shows Pakistani and Chinese workers at the plant exulting at the successful connection of the power plant to the national grid. The project aims to add one more 330 MW power plant in the near future.
China — Pakistan Economic Corridor Thar Coal Power project has started electricity generation of 330 megawatts to the national grid. The workers at the plant celebrated the milestone. #Business #Energy #Growth #TharBadlegaPakistan #Pakistan #EmergingPakistan @BBhuttoZardari pic.twitter.com/FHhcwQJwXh
— Emerging Pakistan (@dev9_) March 19, 2019
"Warmest congratulations! Thar Coal block II power plant successfully synchronized the first of the two units. It is a joint venture by Engro & CMEC under CPEC. It has made history as Pakistan is now producing electricity by Thar coal", Lijian Zhao, deputy chief of mission at the Chinese Embassy tweeted.
Warmest congratulations! Thar Coal block II power plant successfully synchronized the first of the two units. It is a joint venture by Engro & CMEC under CPEC. It has made history as Pakistan is now producing electricity by Thar coal. @CathayPak @ForeignOfficePk @CPEC_Official pic.twitter.com/NCQnTsgguz
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) March 19, 2019
The bulk of energy projects under CPEC utilises Thar coal. However, it is yet not clear whether imported high-grade coal is also used in the mix. Many alleged that China ultimately aims to establish a perpetual market for its coal in the Xinjiang coal fields through these projects.
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"This implies that the road from Kunjerab Pass and Abbottabad and below will be humming with about 10,000 coal carrying trucks per day", Lt. Gen. P. R. Shankar (Retd) of the Indian Army opines.
Meanwhile, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, on Monday, said the advent of the second phase of CPEC will initiate a new era of socio-economic development in Pakistan.
Speaking at the China Institute for International Strategic Studies in Beijing, he termed the Pakistan-China relations an all-weather relationship that anchors regional stability.
