China exports poor quality coal to Pakistan : Pak power regulatory body NEPRA
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Islamabad (Pakistan) – Pakistan’s National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has exposed Chinese coal-fired power plants for using lower-quality imported coal, despite their pledge to use coal with a calorific value of 6,000 (CVs). While citing documents, a Nepra member said, “Your documents say that you imported lower quality coal against what was promised in the agreements.” However, still they claim multi-billion rupees of capacity payments that are being collected from the public.
The disclosure unveiled that these coal-based power plants had pledged to utilise coal with a calorific value of 6,000 (CVs) but had been importing coal with CVs ranging from 4,500 to 5,500. Consequently, they were employing substandard coal while billing customers for the price of higher-quality coal. A member said, “The price should be of off-specification coal, but they were demanding the rate for 6,000 CVs,” suggesting that the price should be reduced due to the quality of coal in use.”
Chinese coal power plants have accused of using low-quality coal. #Nepra revealed that plants have promised to use coal with a calorific value of 6,000 but they are importing #coal with CVs ranging from 4,500 to 5,500.#China #Pakistan #powerplanthttps://t.co/GhPM0CyDEq pic.twitter.com/pnUopc0NAY
— Daily Minute Mirror (@MinuteMirrorpk) September 22, 2023
Pakistan has built coal-fired power plants on a loan from China. It is important to mention that the coal-based current derated installed capacity is 6,777MW (foreign-funded on imported coal), with an outstanding capacity payment of a substantial Rs 643 billion (more than 53 lakh 43 thousand crore rupees). The machines are operated by the Chinese, and they also import the coal required for it.
Power tariff has gone up in the run-up to this day. Therefore, Pakistan is facing protests every now and then.
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