KARACHI: ThalNova Power Thar Private Limited (TNPTL) has signed the Engineering, Procurement, Construction (EPC) contract with China Machinery & Engineering Corporation (CMEC) in Beijing recently to develop the 330MW power project in Thar, Sindh.

ThalNova is a CPEC power project based on Thar lignite coal to be located at the power park site within Block II, Thar Coalfields, District Tharparkar, Sindh. The project is one more step towards using indigenous coal as a source of power generation in Pakistan. As per the generation license granted by NEPRA, ThalNova will supply electricity to the national grid for a period of 30 years.

The Federal Coordinator for China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Zafaruddin Mahmood, CMEC Chairman Sun Bai, CMEC Vice President Fang Yanshui, ThalNova CEO Khalid Siraj Subhani and representatives from China Development Bank, Bank of China, China Credit Insurance Agency and Habib Bank Limited were present on the occasion.

Zafaruddin congratulated both the parties and highlighted the importance of Thar as a game changer for the energy industry of Pakistan.

ThalNova’s CEO Khalid Siraj Subhani congratulated Sun Bai and the teams involved in this landmark milestone for ThalNova project, which is one of the early harvest projects under the CPEC between the governments of Pakistan and China. Khalid Subhani also lauded excellent support from the Sindh Government and Federal Government for the development of ThalNova and other energy projects at Thar with the ultimate goal of alleviating energy crisis in Pakistan using local fuel resources.

CMEC Chairman Sun Bai reaffirmed CMEC’s commitment to Thar and congratulated Khalid Subhani and ThalNova on achieving this milestone. Thal Nova Power is an extension of the socially responsible businesses that reflect the DNA of its parent groups. ThalNova strongly believes in engaging the local communities in the areas where it operates and endeavours to play a positive influence on the local communities of Tharparker.

ThalNova is a joint venture with Thal Limited and Novatex Limited as the main shareholders. Thal Limited is part of the House of Habib - one of the most respected business houses in Pakistan with investments across banking, auto, retail, building materials and packaging sectors in Pakistan.—PR