ISLAMABAD – Pakistan government unveils largest ever power generationprogramme of over 110,000 MW energy under the Indicative GenerationCapacity Expansion Plan 2018-40.
National Transmission and Despatch Company has finalized the IndicativeGeneration Capacity Expansion Plan (IGCEP) 2018-40 which aims at increasingthe power generation capacity by 300% in the next 20 years while followingGrid Code obligations.
The goal has been set to 111,000 megawatts compared to the existing 29,000MW.
The move will ensure affordability whilst meeting rising energy demands.The plan is to add 17,300 MW capacity by 2025 and another 8,600 MW in thenext five years.
The current installed capacity stands at 33,500MW, generating 153,000Gigawatt Hour (GWh) power, with the following breakdown:
– 3,000 MW from coal-based plants – 9,700 MW from hydropower plants – 20,000 MW from thermal plants – 1,345 MW from nuclear plants – 1,900MW from renewables
The government has chalked out the plan keeping in view three differenteconomic growth scenarios:
1. 4.5% GDP growth rate – 65,100 MW to generate 370,500 GWh 2. 5.5% GDP growth rate – 80,500 MW to generate 458,000 GWh 3. 7% GDP growth rate – 111,000 MW to generate 630,500 GWh
According to the IGCEP’s targets, 98,100 MW capacity addition will be madeuntil 2040. The breakdown is as follows:
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– 29,000 MW from hydropower plants – 20,000 MW (local) and 5,000 MW (imported) from coal-based plants – 4,300 MW from nuclear plants – 16,000 MW from renewables
From 2021-22 and onward, solar and wind power will be developed in blocksof 400 MW and 500 MW respectively.
The plan aims to gradually phase out the thermal power plants in the next20 years. According to an estimate, 9,000 MW oil-based plants will bephased out.
1,320 MW Oracle Thar-Based plant and high annual cost projects likeChiniot, Kaigah, Tungas, Yalbo, and Basho haven’t been included in thereport.
The targets have been set keeping in view the local resources includingrenewables and Thar coal in the South and hydro potential in the North.
According to the projected figures for 2040, 98,091 MW capacity would meetthe 80,425 MW peak load demand, ensuring a significant surplus of 17,600 MW.
