1000MW can be generated out of Thar coal reserves: Dr Samar

At least, $115 billion were required to materialise this project.The session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee for Petroleum was held in the Parliament House where Sardar Talib Hussain Nakai was in the chair.While briefing the committee, Dr Samar Mubarak Mand said that the exchequer of country was facing tremendous loss, Rs 230 billion, due to power crisis. He added that Thar contains 175 billion ton reserves of coal, out of which 1000MW electric power may be generated for the next 30 years.He said that his team required $115 billion to materialise this mega project but it is regret to say that it could have just $9 million.He said that coal in Thar mines could not be extricated, but used to manufacture electric power, diesel and fertilisers in the reserves.Secretary Petroleum Ijaz Chaudhry briefed that his team had started homework on Pak-Iran Gas Line Project, adding that gas would be imported till the mid of 2013 while 500 MMCFDLNG Gas would be imported till July 2012.He said that Ministry for Petroleum had managed 3, 5 and 10-year plans.