KESC inks agreemnt with Bright Eagle Enterprises for Coal Conversion Project

Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has inked a joint development agreement with the Hong Kong based company, Bright Eagle Enterprises (BEE), for coal conversion project at a cost of $200 million.

The coal conversion project embarked on the first of its kind project in the country aiming to convert its 1,260MW (210MW X 6 units) Bin Qasim Power Plant (BQPP) into a coal-fired generation plant. This project will have a step-wise execution. The phase-one of which will see the conversion of two units, with a generating capacity of 420MW.

The power utility is replacing Residual Fuel Oil (RFO) based boilers with coal fired technology, which will help KESC in attaining fuel security by diversifying its existing fuel mix, better utilisation of existing fleet and most importantly aid in reducing cost of power generation, ultimately providing the consumers relief by lowering of the end user tariff.

KESC is gearing itself to take the pioneering role for coal conversion in the country and is currently in the process of finalising its feasibility study through a reputed United States based consultant, ‘Knight Piesold’, having extensive world-wide experience in coal based projects.

The Phase-I of the feasibility study has been completed, demonstrating technical and economic viability of the project, while the Phase-II of the feasibility study, which involves detailing of the engineering design work flows is underway.