1,263 MW PTPL Power Project achieved Financial Close today. The Power Plant located near Trimmu Barrage, District Jhang is based on re-gasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) and is so far the largest RLNG based power generation project under Power Generation Policy 2015.
The Financial Closing ceremony was graced by the Honorable Minister for Energy, Mr. Hammad Azhar and Punjab Ministers. Financial Closing documents were signed by Mr. Shah Jahan Mirza, Managing Director PPIB and Mr. Akhtar Hussain Mayo, Chief Executive Officer of PTPL while Chairman PPIB/Secretary Power Division, Mr. Ali Raza Bhutta and other senior officials of Power Division, PPIB and the project company witnessed the proceedings.
The project is being developed in IPP mode through Punjab Thermal Power (Pvt.) Ltd. (PTPL), a private limited company owned by the Government of Punjab through Energy Department. This is the second RLNG based power project developed by Government of Punjab through its own resources, the first being the Bhikki Power Plant, which has already entered full-fledged combined cycle commercial operations and has generated over 9.3 billion units during last year.
PTPL project is being financed through 75 percent commercial debt arranged from local banks which include National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, United Bank Limited and Habib Bank Limited while the total cost involved in development of this project is US$. 708 million.
Utilizing state of the art technology, the plant has the design efficiency of 61.16% which is rated amongst highest efficiencies in the world, which would result in fuel-saving of billions of rupees to the national exchequer during 30 years project life period while reducing overall tariff.
Despite delay in Financial Closing and commissioning of project due to COVID-19 implications, the project company adopted proactive approach and started construction of plant by injecting its own equity. Due to dedicated efforts of the Punjab Government coupled with continued support of Federal Government, Power Division and Private Power & Infrastructure Board (PPIB) the plant has reached at advanced stage with over 80% construction works completed. Efforts are being made to bring this project of national importance online by October 2021 on open cycle mode and on combined cycle mode by June 2022.
Upon commissioning of the Project, it will also help in stabilizing and balancing the transmission system to improve uninterrupted supply to Faisalabad and adjacent areas. The Project will generate more than 3000 employment opportunities during construction phase while 2000 during its operations.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Hammad Azhar remarked that our energy issues are complex and multifaceted in their own way. Many of our energy woes are attributed to a lack of focus on the part of successive governments to diversify the energy mix by harnessing cheap and indigenous sources of power generation.
As the incumbent government under PM Imran Khan took on this challenge, the matter of generating low-cost electricity, which is both affordable and environmentally-friendly as well as focusing on renewable energy resources like hydel, wind and solar has been the foremost priority. a greater concern. It is this quest for making Pakistan the embodiment of the Quaid’s and Iqbal’s ideals that continue to guide our efforts as we go about performing the fundamental task of turning the country towards progress on different fronts.
