The much-delayed $377 million, 560-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant of the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) at Bin Qasim is expected to start power generation by the next month, however, around 115MW will be generated initially from its one operating unit, while another two units would later become functional in July and August this year, Pakistan Today has learnt.
Each of the three power generating units of the plant would produce at least 115MW, while the fourth one, which is expected to come online in February 2012, would generate almost 190MW. The fourth unit would be steam-based and run on the steam produced by the three other units, completing the combined cycle power generation protocol.
The KESC plans to initially run the first unit on furnace oil and then convert it into a gas-fired plant.
The power company is currently shifting over 2,500 tonnes of furnace oil from the Korangi Thermal Power System to start operations from June 1. Though there is already a gas shortage in the KESC’s system, considerations are being made to shift the gas available at its old plant at Bin Qasim to the new one, which is considered more efficient.
However, the sources said that redirecting of gas supply from other plants and the closure of old power plants would mean that no additional electricity will be added to the power generation system and would not benefit the load shedding-hit masses. It is worth mentioning that already six dual-fuel units at present at Bin Qasim, having a power generating capacity of at least 180MW each.
The KESC mostly relies on power supply from the same plants, as others are producing lesser electricity comparatively. According to sources, the World Bank had sanctioned at least Rs 27 billion for the project. The project was financed through an equity combination funded by shareholders, and long-term loans provided by Asian Development Bank, International Finance Corporation and a syndicate of Pakistani banks comprising National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited and Standard Chartered. Initial letters of credit were opened by a consortium of banks including long-term lenders Dubai Islamic Bank and Faysal Bank.
The work on this important project was delayed due to non-payment of mobilisation charges from public utility to a Chinese firm, since the contract for the dual-fired combined cycle plant was signed in June 2008 between the KESC and M/s Harbin of China. Started by the KESC’s previous management, Al-Jomaiah, the project was to be completed in four phases, with the first turbine of the plant to start providing electricity on open cycle mode to the power network in June 2011, second in July and the third in August.
