Shanghai Electric known as Chinese power generation equipment manufacturer reached financial close for a coal mine project out of the Thar Block-1 Integrated Coal Mine Power project in Pakistan.

The project features two 660MW coal-fired power plants, which can produce 1,320MW of power. The project's energy production would be adequate to power four million households in Pakistan.

Thar Coalfield covers a territory bigger than 9,000km2 in the Thar Desert in the south-eastern division of Pakistan's Sindh Province. The mine has the ability to fabricate 7.8 million tonnes of coal per year.

PR manager Qian Xiaolei said Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Company is a unique purpose vehicle (SPV) of Shanghai Electric in Pakistan.

He further said 'We are pleased to help in bringing the country its first large-scale, local coal-based electricity project. We are also thankful to the local government for their support.'

Shanghai Electric said that the power plants would start operations in 2022. They will have the power to operate with a high Acid Gas removal rate with low sulphur dioxide emissions to limit environmental impact.

The power project is being developed as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The electricity generated by the power plant will be supplied to the national grid Once finished.

© Pakistan Press International, source Asianet-Pakistan