Overview
- A Power Division reform, announced Wednesday, directs Thar Block‑I and Block‑II mines to replace diesel systems with electricity from the national grid.
- The plan targets savings of about Rs25 million per day and $25–30 million a year in foreign exchange, with mining power costs falling from about 33 cents per kWh to roughly 13 cents and coal costs down $0.7 per ton.
- The government earmarked about Rs5.3 billion to build grid stations and lines to HESCO’s 132 kV Islamkot site to supply roughly 60 MW for mining loads.
- Officials said mines had been burning 200,000–250,000 liters of diesel each day plus about 35,000 liters for dewatering, costs that fed into higher electricity bills for households and businesses.
- The package includes a projected cut of about 80,000 tons of CO2 a year and guidance to replace diesel mining vehicles with electric units, following coordination with TCEB, NGC, HESCO, and mine operators.