KARACHI: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has awarded a power generation licence to Siddiqsons Energy Limited for 350-megawatt coal-based thermal facility at Port Qasim.
The $600 million project is expected to be commissioned by December 31, 2018, while the company is required to provide a certificate on bi-annual basis, confirming that the operation of its generation facility is in line with the environment standards as prescribed by the relevant competent authority.
According to the Nepra’s decision pertaining to the generation licence application of Siddiqsons Energy, with the depleting natural gas reserves in the country and relatively longer lead time for the construction of hydroelectric power projects, coal power plants are considered the best option in the short- and medium-term planning.
The Nepra said electricity is a fundamental element for the economic growth of any country. The electricity consumption per capita has a strong correlation to the social development and economic indices, it added.
