Islamabad:The US-Pakistan Centre for Advanced Studies in Energy (USPCAS-E) at NUST held a seminar on ‘Leveraging Indigenous Coal Resources for Sustainable Energy in Pakistan,’ spotlighting the critical need to transition from imported coal to indigenous Thar coal for a more secure and economically viable energy future.
The seminar delved into the findings of a recently published whitepaper by USPCAS-E, titled ‘Transition from Imported to Local Coal to Attain Energy Security in Pakistan: Opportunities & Challenges.’ The document calls for a strategic shift from imported coal to indigenous Thar coal to strengthen Pakistan's energy security and alleviate the financial burden of coal imports. It highlighted that Pakistan has substantial coal resources, estimated at over 185 billion tonnes, with the majority located in Sindh's Thar region. These reserves could generate 100,000 MW of electricity for over 200 years, significantly reducing the need for costly imports.
The event hosted leading energy experts who discussed the strategic importance of Thar coal in reducing Pakistan's reliance on imported fuel and securing the nation's energy future. Key discussions focused on global trends in power production, Pakistan's current energy mix, and the challenges and opportunities associated with utilising local coal resources. Dr Adeel Waqas, Principal USPCAS-E, NUST, delivered the welcome address followed by comprehensive discussions moderated by Dr Majid Ali from USPCAS-E.