ISLAMABAD, March 24: K-Electric (KE) has shifted the responsibility for any potential delays in the conversion of the Jamshoro Power Plant to Thar coal onto the Power Division, citing delays in key administrative actions.
Despite KE having a consultant on board for the Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS), the Power Division has yet to issue a notification for the reconstitution of the oversight committee, a critical step in advancing the project.
In a letter dated March 12, 2025, the Power Division asked KE about the progress in appointing a consultant for the BFS.
In response, KE’s CEO, Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, confirmed that the consultant selected by the Power Division’s committee had formally been awarded the contract.
However, Alvi stressed that to move forward with the study, key approvals and logistical requirements must be addressed.
SBP Clearance
These include obtaining clearance from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for foreign remittances related to the consultant’s fees and ensuring access to vital project data.
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To expedite the process, KE has already prepared and sent official requests that require committee approval, including:
- A letter to the Thar Coal Energy Board (TCEB) asking for details about the prospective allocation of Thar coal, the levelized and year-wise tariff for Thar coal, the earliest availability of the coal, the foreign component of the coal tariff, and the total cost of mine expansion.
- A letter to Pakistan Railway Freight Transportation Corporation (PRFTC) seeking information about railway track access, railway tariffs, rail traffic/logistics studies, environmental and social impact assessments for both new and existing railway tracks, and a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for the entire track.
- A letter to the SBP requesting approval for the foreign remittances required for the project.
Official Hurdles Stay
In addition, KE has requested the following actions to ensure the proper documentation of the Committee’s work:
- Issuance of official notifications for the reconstitution of the Committee, including the updated list of members.
- Issuance of final approval by the Committee Chair for the minutes of the four meetings held on November 21, 2024, November 28, 2024, January 14, 2025, and January 22, 2025.
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- Issuance of the official minutes of the review meeting led by the Federal Minister for Power on January 28, 2025, with the draft already circulated by KE.
KE’s communication highlights the critical need for administrative actions from the Power Division to ensure the timely execution of the Jamshoro Power Plant conversion project.
