NC Desk BEIJING: China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy projects have improved power industry in Pakistan and contributed to economic growth by increasing power supply with high efficiency at lower cost, Tauseef H.

Farooqi Chairman National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) said. In an interview with China Economic Net (CEN), he said total installed capacity of CPEC energy projects, including that of coal, wind, solar and hydropower, stands at 6570 MW. They generated 28,549.94 Gwh and 25772.48 Gwh power respectively in FY2020-21 and FY2021-22, accounting for 22.03 percent and 18.37 percent of total generation in Pakistan. When it comes to electricity rate, chairman told CPEC projects (EPP) based on coal is Rs 22.13/kWh on average and that of non-CPEC projects based on oil is Rs 36.61/kWh. This shows CPEC energy projects, utilising fuel with higher efficiency are providing affordable electricity to millions of Pakistani households.

After commissioning of phase II of Block II, daily coal production is approximately 24,000 tons, sufficient to fire 1320 MWs. Based on current coal prices of South African Coal, fuel saving is approximately Rs 13.46/kWh and annual fuel savings for 1,320 MW will be approximately Rs 121 billion from Thar Coal. According to State of Industry Report 2022 issued by NEPRA, HPPs have comparatively long operational life which can be used as an advantage for reducing their tariff through large spread of cost over life of project.

Published in The Daily National Courier, November, 29 2022

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