Energy and Indigenisation drives the economy25 Jan 2022 10:07
https://nation.com.pk/25-Jan-2022/energy-and-indigenisation-drives-the-economy The Islamic Republic of ****stan is out of fuel. The discovery of natural gas in 1952 ensured energy security for the country. At 12 Trillion Cubic Feet (TCF), it was one of the largest deposits of the world. Today the land of the pure has an extensive gas transmission and distribution network but is running short of fuel. The shortfall is being met by imported LNG which is expensive and out of the reach of the common man. Fortunately, the 175 Billion Tons of Coal at Thar can provide the much needed relief for the country. With the application of the 21st century ‘Clean Coal Technologies’ (CCT), the harmful environmental effects can also be managed. Indigenisation of technology has also been a big challenge. Both energy and technology drives the economic engine of the nation which requires planning to move forward.Karachi faces a serious gas crisis today. Being one of the key players in the development of the Thar Coal Reserves, I was invited to discuss the way forward. The Energy Department of the Government of Sindh is keenly interested in resolving the problem. Coal can be gasified to turn into clean fuel called Synthetic Natural Gas (SNG) which can replace the imported LNG. Once gasified, it can have several applications including the production of the Urea Fertiliser and Diesel Fuel.