Sindh Energy Department Plans Coal Gas Production Policy

The Sindh energy department is gearing up to develop a policy for producing liquid gas from coal, as announced by Asif Mangi, Deputy Director of the Sindh Coal Authority. This initiative stems from a recent high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Energy and Planning Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah. The decision was influenced by the potential benefits of gas production from coal, including an estimated annual saving of $500 million in foreign exchange and a 50% reduction in the energy import bill through utilizing Thar's vast coal reserves.

Coal gasification, a process that converts solid coal into a combustible gas, is seen as a practical solution to meet environmental standards. The SCA's study on Thar coal revealed promising results, indicating high tar yields and suitable characteristics for gasification. Despite higher-than-expected sulfur content, it was deemed manageable. The study highlighted Thar coal's viability for conversion into gas, liquid, and urea, offering a sustainable energy solution.