KARACHI: Sindh’s less-developed regions have witnessed a major energy transformation under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), with 12 power projects successfully completed, significantly strengthening electricity generation, transmission capacity, and overall energy security in the province.
According to official documents from the Ministry of Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, the completed projects span multiple financing modes — including Independent Power Producer (IPP), Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Built-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangements.
In Tharparkar, the landmark 660MW Engro Thar Power & Mine project was completed at a cost of $995 million, advancing Pakistan’s shift toward utilising indigenous coal resources. The district also saw completion of several major IPP projects, including the 330MW Thar Energy Limited, 330MW ThalNova Thar Power, and the 1,320MW Shanghai Electric (TCB-I) project — each deepening the energy potential of the Thar coal ecosystem. Additionally, the 7.8MTPA TCB-II Mine ($850 million, FDI) and the 7.8MTPA Thar Block-I project ($990 million, FDI) further expanded mining capacity.
In Thatta, four renewable initiatives have strengthened Sindh’s clean energy footprint:
- 100MW UEP Wind Farm ($250m)
- 100MW Three Gorges Wind Power ($150m)
- 50MW Sachal Wind Farm ($134m)
- 50MW Hydro China Dawood Wind Project ($113m)
At Port Qasim, Karachi, the 1,320MW Port Qasim Coal Power Project — built with a $1.9 billion investment — now serves as one of Pakistan’s largest baseload power sources.
Sindh also became home to Pakistan’s first-ever High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission system. The ±660kV Matiari–Lahore HVDC Transmission Line, executed under the BOT model at a cost of $1.7 billion, enables efficient long-distance power transfer from south to north, strengthening national grid reliability.
Together, these 12 completed CPEC projects represent one of Sindh’s most comprehensive energy overhauls — integrating coal, wind and transmission infrastructure — and continue to support Pakistan’s long-term economic and industrial growth.
