LAHORE: With record coal production in the last 2.5 years, the Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) contributed over 10,000 GWh to the national grid.

Besides, the coal production and power generation using Thar’s local reserves has benefited the national economy by saving $210 million through import substitution during the same period.

According to company, it achieved 10 million tonnes of coal production milestone, making it one of the largest public-private partnerships in the energy sector that commenced commercial operations in July 2019 with an annual production capacity of 3.8 million tonnes.

“The 10-million coal production mark is a commendable achievement considering the constant fluctuation and vulnerability in international coal prices,” said Chief Executive Officer Amir Iqbal in a statement on Monday.

“The Thar coal is the best resource to help the national economy in terms of easing out the pressure on the current account deficit and also indigenise the current energy mix which is heavily reliant on imported fuels. Currently, the second phase of the SECMC mine is already under development which will increase SECMC’s production to 7.6 million tonnes per annum with a cumulative power generation of 1,320MW.”

Published in Dawn, December 21st, 2021