330MW coal project, Hubco signs implementation agreement

The largest independent power producer (IPP), The Hub Power Company Limited (Hubco) has signed the Implementation Agreement for its 1×330 MW mine-mouth coal-based power plant at Thar with Private Power and Infrastructure Board (PPIB). The agreement was signed by Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director PPIB and Fatima Maryam CFO, Thar Energy Limited – Hubco.

The Company has established Thar Energy Limited (TEL), as its wholly-owned subsidiary to set up one of the first indigenous coal power Plant at Thar Coal Block II. The $505 million project, which is also listed on CPEC, is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2020.

The EPC contract for the Project has been signed with China Machinery and Engineering Corporation (CMEC) which has started preliminary activities on site in order to expedite COD. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA), Coal Supply Agreement (CSA) and the Water Use Agreement for the Project have been signed. The Implementation Agreement and the Supplemental Implementation Agreement has been signed.

The Company has engaged China Development Bank (CDB) as the lead arranger for the foreign financing from China and Habib Bank as the lead arranger for the local financing.

Hubco has offered 30 percent shareholding to Fauji Fertilizer Company Limited (FFCL) and 10 percent to China Machinery Engineering Company (CMEC) in TEL. The Company is in the process of finalizing the Shareholder’s Agreement.

The Hub Power Company Limited currently produces 1600 MW through its three plants in Hub, Narowal and Azad Kashmir. The company is the only power producer in Pakistan with interests in three projects listed in the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), namely imported coal based China Power Hub Generation Company (Private) Limited (CPHGC) at Hub, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company Limited developing Block II of Thar Coal Field and Thar Energy Limited.—PR