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Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has inaugurated Phase-III expansion of the Thar Block-II Coal Mine and Pakistan\u2019s first-ever Coal Drying Unit in Sindh, as authorities seek to increase domestic energy production and reduce reliance on imported fuel.<\/strong><\/p>\n Officials briefing the ceremony said the Phase-III expansion will increase the mine\u2019s annual production capacity from 7.6 million tonnes to 11.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).<\/p>\n The additional coal will supply a 660-megawatt power plant operated by Lucky Electric Power Company, increasing from 1,320 MW to 1,980 MW, enough to supply electricity to approximately 4.5 million households every day.<\/p>\n Project officials said the mine-mouth power generation cost stands at approximately $3.75 per MMBtu, making it one of the cheapest energy sources available in the country and nearly three times cheaper than imported coal.<\/p>\n The expansion is expected to save around Rs15 billion annually in power generation costs and approximately $220 million in foreign exchange every year, while cumulative foreign exchange savings since operations began have already exceeded $1.7 billion.<\/p>\n Addressing an event, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah described the expansion as the latest stage of a project whose origins date back to 1996, when then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto laid the foundation stone for a proposed 2,640-megawatt coal-based power project in Thar.<\/p>\n Murad Ali Shah said the project was delayed for years following the dismissal of Benazir Bhutto\u2019s government, before being revived after the PPP returned to power in 2008.<\/p>\n The Chief Minister recalled that there were times when the project faced uncertainty and even a lack of support at the federal level. However, through determination and partnership between the Government of Sindh and private investors, the project moved forward.<\/p>\n \u201cThis project represents the fulfilment of a vision passed from one generation to another,\u201d Shah said.<\/p>\n The Thar coal project has been promoted by the Sindh government as a way of using the region\u2019s large coal reserves to improve Pakistan\u2019s energy security while creating jobs and economic opportunities in one of the country\u2019s historically underdeveloped areas.<\/p>\n CM Sindh said development around the coal project had brought roads, schools, hospitals, an airport and clean-water schemes to parts of Tharparkar.<\/p>\n According to figures presented at the ceremony, 94 percent of employees and service providers working with the project are from Sindh, while 60 percent are residents of Tharparkar.<\/p>\n He also said more than 500,000 people had received free medical treatment through community initiatives, while more than 12 million litres of clean drinking water were being supplied each month.<\/p>\n Over 5,000 students are enrolled in educational institutions established through community development programs.<\/p>\n The chairman of PPP was informed that approximately 1.2 million trees have been planted under environmental conservation programs, while thousands of households have benefited from solarization, sanitation and livelihood schemes.<\/p>\n The Sindh government said a 50-bed mother and child hospital in Islamkot was expected to be completed within a year.<\/p>\n Concluding his address, Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah thanked the people of Thar for contributing their natural resources to strengthen Pakistan\u2019s energy security.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people of Thar have given Pakistan a priceless asset. Today Thar is changing, Pakistan is progressing, and our journey of development continues with renewed speed and determination,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n