KARACHI: The K-Electric is scheduled to add 52 megawatts (MW) of power supply to its system, Fauji Fertiliser Bin Qasim Limited (FFBL) said on Thursday. This is due to the opening of the commercial coal-fired power plantby its subsidiary FFBL Power Company (FPCL) before May 15, 2017. The company had previously announced that FPCL was expected to begin commercial operations by the end of April, as opposed to the first quarter of next year. The 118-megawatt plant, set up at Bin Qasim, Karachi, started test operations in February. The power generated will be used for the existing fertiliser complex as, well as for the export of 52 MW to K-Electric. It will be one of the first coal-fired power plants in the country to begin commercial operations. FFBL Company Secretary Muhammad Azam said in a notification to the Pakistan Stock Exchange on Thursday that FPCL is currently at the advanced commissioning stage. He also confirmed that it was because of the successful compatibility testing of the K-Electric System with the FPCL grid that the company would be able to begin operations ahead of schedule.The expected surge of 52 MW of electricity will help meet Karachi’s energy shortfall. To date, Pakistan has only two fully operational coal-based power plants. Thirteen, meanwhile, have either been earmarked for construction or are at the proposal stage. Burning coal, however, is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, and toxic air pollution. Some emissions can be significantly reduced with readily available pollution controls, but most coal plants have yet to install these technologies. The total cost of FBBL investment is put at $265 million for the 110MW coal-based power plant. The company will conduct all remaining production in-house as a substitution for natural gas-based steam and power generation.