Renowned Scientist and Member Science and Technology, Planning Commission of Pakistan Dr. Samar Mubarak visited Islamabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (ICCI). He addressed the business community and shared the possible solutions to overcome energy crises in the country.

Dr. Samar said that Thar Coal reserves could play a pivotal role in meeting energy crises both in long term and short term which would enhance industrial competitiveness due to cost effectiveness. He said that the industrial sector could not wait for long and the government should present quick solution to fill in the gap between demand and supply of energy

He said that the 41 percent electricity of the world was being produced from the coal, adding that India was producing 64.6 percent electricity from the coal, whereas Pakistan was only producing 2.27 percent electricity from coal. He said that 95 percent natural wealth was not being utilized, whereas not a single kg of coal was mined.

He said that the current energy crisis was causing loss of Rs.230 billion and bringing 400,000 people jobless. Current dependable power supply hovers around 14,000MW in summer though it drops in the winter. On the other hand power demand in 2030 would be more than 100,000MW, he added.

He emphasized that the development of the Thar coal was the only viable long-term solution for meeting energy demands of the country. “Only Thar Coal can provide guaranteed long-term energy security to Pakistan”, he maintained.

He said indigenous coal can be used, and added that coal gas power plants based on integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants would generate electricity at a cost of about Rs.7 per KWH. He further said that coal can also be converted into coal gas above the ground in machines called surface gasifies," Dr. Samar said, that the efficiency of the conversion of coal gas to electricity is about 40 percent.

In his welcome address, Mahfooz Elahi, President ICCI said that energy was the key determinant of economic development of the country as Pakistan has been facing an unprecedented energy crisis for past few years.

The government must look towards building power plants and tapping into alternative energy resources for meeting energy demands, he maintained.

ICCI President said that delay in fulfillment of export consignments has become a matter of routine due to power outages. To meet the growing demands of energy, Government should exploit its domestic energy resources which would make the country self-reliant, he emphasized