ISLAMABAD: China has introduced supercritical technology in Pakistan to generate 1,320MW coal power in Balochistan. Introducing this technology will not only end power outages in the country, but also provide more job opportunities.
According to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Authority, China used supercritical technology to create 1,320MW at the China Hub Coal Power Project in Balochistan. The project will help meet the power demand of the country.
China has invested $1.912 billion on Sahiwal Coal Power plant project, which is also called as Huaneng Shandong Ruyi (Pakistan) Energy (Limited). It is another coal power project that falls under the CPEC program.
A 1,320MW ultra-supercritical power plant is also being built in Tharparkar by the Shanghai Electric Group. This ultra-critical technology developed by the company has high efficiency and less carbon dioxide emission. This technology has never been used before in Pakistan, an official of the Thar Coal Block-1 Power Generation Company said.
Prof Dr. Hassan Mehmood from the Department of Electronics, Quaid-e-Azam University, said Pakistan should enhance energy efficiency through advanced technology as China does. “According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, 370 million tons of raw coal was produced, a year-on-year increase of 10.3 percent, 0.4 percentage point slower than that of the previous month, and the average daily output was 11.87 million tons in May 2022.’’
The use of less coal per megawatt-hour in supercritical (SC) and ultra-supercritical power plants results in lower emissions (including carbon dioxide and mercury), greater efficiency, and lower prices for fuel per megawatt. As a consequence, efficiency has been improved by 45 percent. This technology helps to restore environment.
Dr Hassan said, “There has been an increase in the sales of electronic devices such as splits, fans, and washing machines. The increasing use of a wide variety of electronic equipment has contributed to an increase in the demand for power.’’
He advised funds allocation for development of power-saving technology. “Utilizing modern technology is one of the most effective strategies to reduce power waste. We can save time, money, and power through automation. Connecting energy-efficient equipment to the home automation system allows for greater power savings as a result of reduced consumption,’’ Dr Hassan continued.
According to a tracking report on coal-fired power by the International Energy Agency, under the net zero scenario, all subcritical coal-fired power facilities will be phased out by 2030 in order to remain on track to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. This demands the global shutdown of 870GWs of existing subcritical coal capacity, or around 11% of all power capacity. Governments can play a crucial role in ensuring that first phase-outs do not negatively impact grid stability or economic activity.
–INP
