BRIEF STATUS REPORT
Lakhra Power Generation Co. Ltd. – GENCO-IV
BACKGROUND
Lakhra Power Plant is situated on the right bank of River Indus near Khanot, in District Jamshoro, about 60 Km from Hyderabadand 217 Km from Karachi city. Lakhra Power Plant is the only coal fired power plant in Pakistan, in public sector, using indigenous coal of Lakhra Coal Mines. Commissioned in 1995, Lakhra Power Complex consists of 03 Units of 50 MW each with total installed capacity of 150 MW. The declared de-rated capacity of the complex is 3X40 MW.
All Units are based on FBC technology which burns low grade coal (lignite in this case) with certain addition of limestone for power generation. As such Unit No. 3is non-functional since 2009 for want of major repair; whereas, Unit No. 2 has been put on bar after repair in September 2014. At present Unit No. 1 and 2 are running at under-rated load of 30 MW.
PERFORMANCE
Though the Units No. 2 & 3 were nonfunctional since long for want of major repair, yet with the focused management under guidance of LPGCL Board coupled with support of current government the Company has been successful in improving the performance of the sole running Unit No. 1.During FY 2013-14. Unit No. 1 has record generation ever achieved since commissioning.
Furthermore, the Company started repair work on Unit No.2 with the help of its own engineers in April 2014. In September 2014 Unit No. 2 was successfully tested and in October brought on bar within the time as less as six months. Though this repair has not mitigated need for rehabilitation of Lakhra Plant (all three Units) yet by putting it on bar the Unit No.2 is in position to add 30 MW in the system at under-rated capacity.
REHABILITATION OF LAKHRA PLANT
A comprehensive Rehabilitation Plan has been prepared for Rehabilitation of Lakhra Plant which is projected to be completed within 18 months after approval. Under the Rehabilitation Plan, the plant will recover 90 MW of capacity with meager investment of US$ 20 Million or US$ 0.22 per MW having payback period of less than 2 years. After Rehabilitation, on the one hand the plant will gain efficiency and availability; on the other hand the Unit Cost will be reduced by 30+%. It is estimated that the rehabilitation will turnaround the loss making entity into a profitable company.
ADDITIONAL PLANTS
The current government has decided to get advantage of the location and resources of GENCO-IV and to install additional coal-fired plant of 660 MW at Lakhra. The feasibility study is being conducted with the help of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The geotechnical investigations and topographical surveys have been completed and conceptual design of the plant is underway. The feasibility report is expected to be issued in November 2014.
CONCLUSION
Lakhra Power Generation Company Limited – GENCO-IV – has been successful to achieve record generation during FY 2013-14 and striving to improve the capacity of the plant and financial health of the company. The rehabilitation of Lakhra Plant will not only add 90MW in the system in short term of 18 months with meager investment of US$ 0.22 per MW, but also it will turnaround the loss making entity into a profitable company. Furthermore, the additional coal fired plant of 660 MW will help to overcome the energy crises in the country.
