Pakistan's largest Thar coal-based power plant energised

• Pakistan's largest Thar coal-based power project starts functioning.
• CPEC project has 1320 MW generation capacity. 
• Total capacity of Thar coal-based plants reached 2,970 MW.

The Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB) announced achievement of Commercial Operation Date (COD) of country’s largest Thar coal based power project located at Thar Block-1 on 5th February 2023. 

Having the generation capacity of 1320 MW, Shanghai project has been implemented under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Project is developed by Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Co., a fully owned subsidiary of Shanghai Electric.

The project has attracted valuable foreign direct investment of $1,912 million which is expected to generate 9 billion units of electricity per annum with anticipated savings of Rs. 250 billion/annum.

With this last addition, the total production of electricity generated by four Thar coal-based power generation plants has reached 2,970 MW, while the 330 MW ThalNova project is also under testing and hoping to achieve COD soon.

The PPIB has already facilitated commissioning of three projects with a total capacity of 1,650 MW, including the 660 MW Engro, 660 MW Lucky, and 330 MW Hubco Thar power projects, all of which are at Top of NPCCs merit order list.

Commissioning of the project will result in significant savings of foreign reserves and reduce dependence on imported fuels and the basket price of electricity shall also be reduced significantly. Additionally, the Shanghai Project will bring prosperity to local and regional communities and improve the lives of local Thari people by generating employment and business opportunities.