LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Minerals & Mines Sher Ali Khan has claimed that the coal-powered electricity generation plant 300MW at Salt Range will be completed by 2018.
Addressing a seminar on the topic of role of coal in resolving energy crisis in Pakistan arranged by Center for Coal Technology of Punjab University, he said that there are about 600 million tons coal reserves in Salt Range, adding that the use of clean coal technology is essential for generating energy so that it should not leave negative effects on environment.
Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Mujahid Kamran, Director Center for Coal Technology Prof Dr Shahid Munir, Members Punjab Assembly Dr Farzana Nazir, teachers and a large number of male and female students attended the seminar.
The provincial minister said that mining is a difficult job and modern methods are being used for mining of coal. He said that energy saving is need of the hour. He said that UPS uses more electricity for recharging batteries, therefore, the consumers should not use UPS in winter. He said that according to an estimate, UPS is using 2000MW electricity. He said that Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif is working round the clock for overcoming energy crisis.
Centre for Coal Technology Director Prof Dr Shahid Munir gave a briefing and said that according to the International Institute of Energy, Pakistan will have to generate 49000MW electricity by 2025. He said that Pakistan is spending a huge amount of 20 billion dollar on the purchase of furnace oil. He said that Pakistan has vast reserves of coal, therefore, it should pay attention towards generating electricity through coal.
