The 1,320 MW Sahiwal imported coal-fired power plant is reportedly at risk of a shutdown as its coal stock has dropped to dangerously low levels, primarily due to a shortage of railway wagons.
In a letter addressed to Power Minister Sardar Awais Khan Leghari, prior to the recent floods in Punjab, the Chief Executive Officer of Huaneng Shandong Ruyi (Pakistan) Pvt. Limited (HSRL), Liu ZengRui, highlighted the severity of the crisis, stressing that the situation had gone beyond the company’s control, according to a report in Business Recorder.
According to the CEO, the persistent unavailability of railway wagons has steadily eroded the plant’s coal reserves. He added that recent heavy rains in Karachi and surrounding areas have further disrupted coal supply and transportation to the site via Pakistan Railways.
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While acknowledging Pakistan Railways’ past support since the plant’s Commercial Operation Date (COD), Liu cautioned that the current supply bottleneck could result in the shutdown of both generation units.
He urged the power minister and relevant authorities to prioritize the issue and take immediate steps to ensure reliable coal transportation to the plant.
