PESHAWAR – The Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) have marked seven years of commercial operations at Thar Block II. This milestone highlights a significant shift in national power dynamics.
The integrated mine-mouth venture successfully hit its commercial operations date on July 10, 2019, consistently generating power since inception. Over the last seven years, the massive complex has effectively advanced the country’s economic goals, proving that Thar Block II strengthens Pakistan’s energy security by providing an affordable and completely indigenous fuel supply.
Unlocking Local Coal Potential
Before the project became functional, the national grid relied heavily on expensive imported commodities. The Thar Block II strengthens Pakistan’s energy security framework by tapping into local resources to lower power generation costs. The open-pit mining facility has systematically scaled up its operations over time. It currently maintains an annual production capacity of 7.6 million tonnes.
The mining team has successfully extracted and delivered more than 38 million tonnes of local coal to fuel generation units. This sustained supply chain enabled the EPTL facility to produce over 27,000 gigawatt-hours of cheap electricity. Athar Abrar Khwaja, CEO of EPTL and Engro Energy Limited, stated that the generation facility consistently maintains a top position on the national merit order list due to its competitive pricing structure and operational efficiency.
Preparing for Phase III Expansion
Building on this foundational success, the management is now putting corporate mechanisms in place to initiate Phase III of the mine expansion project. Amir Iqbal, the chief executive officer of SECMC, explained that the next development stage aims to maximize the recovery of local reserves. He emphasized that utilizing domestic coal shields the national economy from international supply shocks while supplying the grid with stable baseline electricity.
Driving Social Uplift in Tharparkar
Beyond providing fuel for heavy industries and urban centers, the industrial project implements structured social programs through the Thar Foundation. Corporate investments target local human development across multiple core areas:
- Education: The Foundation runs 33 active schools that educate more than 5,000 local children.
- Technical Training: Over 300 students have enrolled in certified engineering diploma programs, and 2,000 individuals have completed specialized vocational courses.
- Healthcare: Medical infrastructure programs have provided treatment to more than 450,000 patients in the desert region.
- Green Power: The Village Electrification Project has successfully installed clean solar setups for 3,935 local households.
