The first 330 MW unit of Engro Powergen Thar (Private) Limited (EPTL), based on Thar Lignite (Block-II) has been synchronized with national grid after 28 years, succeeded in utilizing Thar coal for power generation.
The victorious synchronization happened between presence of senior officials of the Company and from China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), the EPC contractor of the project.
The EPTL power plant will utilize 3.8 MTPA of coal supplied by Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company as both projects achieve their commercial operations date (COD) in June 2019. The 660 MW power plant of EPTL will use circulating fluidized bed (CFB) technology to burn coal.
The synchronization of the first unit of the power plant is a significant achievement given that the project has been constructed in a record time of less than three years as per schedule and projected costs, a feat in itself given the complexity of the project.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah said that the Thar Coal’s first ownership belongs to the people of Tharparkar and it is the first step that the Thar will change Pakistan has begun, he added, “We will produce 4000 MWs from Thar Coal Block II alone, while Thar has potential to develop 100 more blocks.
The CEO of Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi added that “I am confident that together with all our partners, Engro will counterfeit ahead with synchronization of the second unit of the 660 MW power plant in April 2019 and achieve the COD of both the mining and the power project, as per our commitment, in June 2019.”