The government has decided to reduce the import bill of the country by converting the imported coal power plants to local coal from Thar. As per sources the coal from Thar can be used for power generation but a few components need to be changed in the power plants.
Until the power plants are retrofitted to run on local coal the government has decided to import coal from Kyrgyzstan which is a cheaper option. Ambassador of Pakistan to Kyrgyz Republic called on Talaibek Baigaziev, Kyrgyz Deputy Minister of Energy and discussed cooperation on energy between Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan.
During the conversation the two parties discussed (i) supply of coal to Pakistan from Kyrgyz Republic; and (ii) supply of electricity from Pakistan to Kyrgyz Republic during winter season through CASA-1000.
As per sources both sides also expressed satisfaction over the progress of CASA-1000 and hoped that the project would be completed by the end of 2026
