Turkey-based Colakoglu Investment has signed an agreement with the State Government of Sindh, Pakistan, to generate 600MW of electricity from coal deposits found in the Thar Desert, through an investment of $1bn.

The company will conduct exploration work on a block of the Thar coalfield and will submit its feasibly report along with the planned installation of power plants.

Sindh chief minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah said the province has also allotted eight blocks of the Thar coalfield to different companies, while two more are being provided to other firms for feasibility studies and exploration work.

Engro Corporation has also invested $3bn in the development of a 1,000MW coal-fired power generation project, reports the Express Tribune.