Pakistan told to give up on China coal power deal

Cash-strapped Pakistan should pursue clean energy instead of relying on coal, nuclear and hydroelectric power, according to a report released yesterday urging the country’s policy makers to rethink plans for building more coal-fired plants.

The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis said coal-fired power – one of the central pillars of Pakistan’s energy deals with China – is a costlier and dirtier alternative to wind or solar energy, which China is also supplying, but to a lesser degree.

China is putting Pakistan deeper in debt with planned coal-fired and liquefied natural gas plants, which will soon be outdated, energy finance expert Simon Nichols said.

Pakistan is seeking a $8 billion (£6.3bn) bailout package from the International Monetary Fund.