An estimated 4.48 million tons of coal will be required annually for the plant, based on a calculation of 22 hours of power generation per day. Indonesia is identified as a primary source for its high quality coal, reliable production, and short transit times to Pakistan. Coal from Pakistan's own Thar coalfield was found to contain excessive amounts of sulfur and lime, and was not deemed to be of high enough quality for the project.Zhong 2014, p. 156-157. The supply of reliable coal from the fields was also considered to be inadequate. A mixture of Pakistani indigenous coal with imported coal was also deemed to be unsuitable as it would decrease heat production from coal, and would compromise safety of the boilers which are to be used in the project.
