Port Qasim Power Project
{{short description|Pakistani coal powered plant}}
{{Use Pakistani English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox power station
| name = Port Qasim Power Project
| name_official =
| image = Port Qasim Coal Power Plant, 08.06.2021.jpg
| image_size =
| image_caption =
| image_alt =
| location_map_size =
| location_map_caption = Location of the Port Qasim Power Project in Sindh province.
| coordinates = {{coord|24.7854|N|67.3695|E|region:PK_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| country = Pakistan
| location = Port Qasim, Sindh
| status = Operational
| construction_began = May 2015
| commissioned = Dec 2017
| decommissioned =
| cost = $1.91 billion USD
| owner = [https://www.difc.ae/port-qasim-energy-dubai-holding-limited Port Qasim Energy Holding] and Sinohydro Resources Limited
| operator =
| th_fuel_primary = Bituminous coal
| th_fuel_secondary =
| th_fuel_tertiary =
| ps_units_manu_model =
| th_cogeneration =
| th_combined_cycle =
| ps_electrical_capacity = 1,320 MW
| ps_electrical_cap_fac =
| website =
| extra =
}}
The 1,320 megawatt Port Qasim Power Project comprises two 660 megawatt supercritical coal power plants, one of which was inaugurated in December 2016 as part of the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/250848-pm-opens-over-1-300-mw-port-qasim-coal-fired-power-project|title=PM opens over 1,300 MW Port Qasim coal-fired power project|website=www.thenews.com.pk|language=en|access-date=2018-02-27}} The $2.09 billion project is located on 330.7 acres at Port Qasim, 37 kilometers east of Karachi in Sindh Province.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=161|date=13 August 2014}}{{cite news|last1=Dan|first1=Zhang|title=Pakistan power shortages; China comes to the rescue|url=http://english.cntv.cn/2015/06/15/ARTI1434357749778457.shtml|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=CCTV|date=15 June 2015}} The project is part of a group of 14 energy projects which fall under the fast-tracked "Early Harvest" program of the $46 billion China Pakistan Economic Corridor project.{{cite news|title=Work on free trade zone at Gwadar continues|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/994231/work-on-free-trade-zone-at-gwadar-continues/|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=The Express Tribune|date=19 November 2015}}
The plants were built on a "Build-Own-Operate" basis,{{cite news|title=China, Qatar to build $2.09b coal-fired power plant at Karachi|url=http://nation.com.pk/business/11-Apr-2015/china-qatar-to-build-2-09b-coal-fired-power-plant-at-karachi|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=The Nation (Pakistan)|date=11 April 2015}} and were constructed and will be operated by the [https://www.difc.ae/port-qasim-energy-dubai-holding-limited Port Qasim Energy Holding],{{cite web|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|publisher=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015}} a firm jointly financed by Qatar's Al-Mirqab Capital and China's Power Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of Sinohydro Resources Limited.
Project Details
The project consists not only of the power plants themselves, but also will include the construction of a jetty for exclusive use of the power plant for coal importation.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=37|date=13 August 2014}} The estimated annual coal consumption for the plants will be 4.66 million tons,{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=152|date=13 August 2014}} and enough annual power for an estimated 3-4 million households will be generated.{{cite news|last1=Abrad|first1=Mian|title=Port Qasim Coal-fired Power Project: CPEC's first project witnesses emphatic progress on ground|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/03/07/business/port-qasim-coal-fired-power-project-cpecs-first-project-witnesses-emphatic-progress-on-ground/|accessdate=8 May 2016|agency=Pakistan Today|date=7 March 2016}}
The plants each consist of one boiler, steam turbine and generator, and are fueled by sub-bituminous coal which is offloaded at the project's coal jetty.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=37|date=13 August 2014}} Electricity will be connected to the electric grid network K-Electric via a 500 kilovolt AC transmission line.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=46|date=13 August 2014}} The plant's gross efficiency is equal to or greater than 41%, while the net efficiency is equal to or greater than 38%.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=43|date=13 August 2014}}
Additionally, living quarters for up to 700 full-time workers were constructed at the site, with additional temporary housing facilities for 11,000 construction workers divided into a unit for 2,000 Chinese construction workers, and another unit for 9,000 Pakistani construction workers,{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=76|date=13 August 2014}} with all construction materials for living quarters provided by Chinese manufacturers.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=76|date=13 August 2014}}
Coal Source
Most of the coal used for the power plant will be imported from Indonesia, with South Africa and Australia identified as suitable supplemental suppliers.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=152|date=13 August 2014}} Indonesia is identified as a primary source for its high quality coal, reliable production, and short transit times to Pakistan.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=152|date=13 August 2014}}
Coal from Pakistan's own Thar coalfield was found to contain excessive amounts of sulfur and lime, and was not deemed to be of high enough quality for the project.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=156|date=13 August 2014}} The supply of reliable coal from the fields was also considered to be inadequate.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=156|date=13 August 2014}} Mixture of Pakistani indigenous coal with imported coal was also deemed to be unsuitable as it would decrease heat production from coal, and would compromise safety of the boilers which are to be used in the project.{{cite web|last1=Zhong|first1=Haixang|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|website=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015|page=157|date=13 August 2014}}
Construction and Operation
Construction commenced in May 2015, and the first unit inaugurated in December 2017. The plants were built on a "Build-Own-Operate" basis,{{cite news|title=China, Qatar to build $2.09b coal-fired power plant at Karachi|url=http://nation.com.pk/business/11-Apr-2015/china-qatar-to-build-2-09b-coal-fired-power-plant-at-karachi|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=The Nation (Pakistan)|date=11 April 2015}} and is to be operated by the [https://www.difc.ae/port-qasim-energy-dubai-holding-limited Port Qasim Energy Holding],{{cite web|title=General Licence Application of Port Qasim|url=http://www.nepra.org.pk/Licences/Licence%20Application/2014/Generation%20License%20Application%20of%20Port%20Qasim.pdf|publisher=NEPRA|accessdate=17 December 2015}} a firm jointly financed by Qatar's Al-Mirqab Capital and China's Power Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of Sinohydro Resources Limited.
Financing
Al-Mirqab Capital will own a 49% stake in the project, and while Power Construction Corporation, which will own a 51% stake in the project.{{cite news|last1=Shih|first1=Toh Han|title=Chinese firm in US$2.09 billion Pakistan power plant deal|url=http://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/1761506/chinese-firm-us209-billion-pakistan-power-plant-deal|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=South China Morning Post|date=9 April 2015}} The individual companies will invest $521 million, while the Exim Bank of China will lend those companies the remaining $1.56 billion required for construction.{{cite news|title=China, Qatar to build $2.09b coal-fired power plant at Karachi|url=http://nation.com.pk/business/11-Apr-2015/china-qatar-to-build-2-09b-coal-fired-power-plant-at-karachi|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=The Nation (Pakistan)|date=11 April 2015}}
Tariff
The Government of Pakistan will be contractually obliged to purchase electricity from the plants for thirty years at a cost of 8.12 US cents per unit.{{cite news|last1=Kiani|first1=Khaleeq|title=Nepra approves upfront tariff for Port Qasim plant|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1163424|accessdate=17 December 2015|publisher=Dawn|date=14 February 2015}}
Commissioned
In November 2017, the first 660MW unit of the power plant was synchronised to the national grid. The power plant was completed and commenced full operations on 25 April 2018.{{Cite web |title=1320MW Coal-Fired Power Plant At Port Qasim Karachi|url=https://cpec.gov.pk/project-details/1 |access-date=2023-06-01 |website=cpec.gov}}
See also
{{Portal|Pakistan|Energy}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{China–Pakistan Economic Corridor}}
Category:Coal-fired power stations in Pakistan