ISLAMABAD: Scientist Dr. Samar Mubarakmand has said that only Thar Coal can provide guaranteed long term energy security to Pakistan’s industrial competitiveness, due to its cost effectiveness.

He stated this while briefing the National Assembly Standing Committee on Inter Provincial Coordination, which met held here on Friday under the chairmanship of Mir Ahmedan Khan Bugti.

Dr. Samar Mubarakmand informed the Committee that the current energy crisis was causing Rs 230 billion loss and making 400,000 people jobless.

According to PEPCO “our energy demand by the year 2030 will be more than 100,000 MW “.

He said that the total power generation capacity of the country on coal based was 2.27 per cent while India had 64.6 per cent . In this situation, Thar Coal would play a pivotal role in meeting this energy crisis both in long and short term. The Coal should be declared a matter of national security of strategic important so that donors and multilateral invest more, he added.

He said that Thar lignite coal reserves were 175 billion tons spread over 9600 Sq.Km, having generation potential of 100,000 MW consuming 536 million tones / year. These reserves are equivalent to 50 billion tone of oil, which are more than Iran and Saudi Arabia combined oil reserves or over 2000 TCF of gas (42 times greater than total gas reserves discovered in Pakistan so far).

He said that four blocks were available for investment in Thar. The Thar project for 100 MW was planned for mid 2012. Gasifier has been designed, major equipment ordered and technical team is mobilized. Drilling is in full swing, he said.

After the presentation, the committe members appreciated Dr Samar Mubarakmand and supported his project.