Profile
Plant
Engro PowerGen Thar (Pvt.)
Limited (EPTL or the Company) was formed in 2014, to set up a 2x330MW
power project in Thar Block II, Sindh, Pakistan. The Company is a joint venture
between Engro Powergen Ltd (EPL), China Machinery Engineering Corporation
(CMEC), Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), and Liberty Mills Limited. This project utilizes
indigenous lignite coal from the Tharparkar district to generate electricity.
The project achieved commercial operations on July 10, 2019, and forms part of
the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) energy portfolio, a flagship
initiative for energy cooperation between China and Pakistan.
Tariff
EPTL’s current tariff for
July–September 2026 is 8.0 US¢/kWh. The tariff is indexed to the Pakistan
Rupee–US Dollar exchange rate, US CPI, N-CPI, KIBOR, SOFR, exchange rate
movements, coal prices, and coal calorific values. Principal and interest
repayments, return on equity (ROE), insurance, and fixed and variable O&M
costs form part of the scalable (adjustable) component, while 8.6 US¢/kWh
represents the reference tariff, and 8.5015 US¢/kWh
represents the levelized tariff for Engro PowerGen Thar (Pvt.) Limited.
Return on Project
EPTL's principal source of income
is the revenue earned from Energy and Capacity invoices billed to the Power
Purchaser, CPPA-G. The project's IRR, as agreed with NEPRA, stands at 20%,
while its ROE stands at 30.65%.
Ownership
Ownership Structure
EPTL’s shareholding structure
comprises Engro Energy Limited (EEL) as the majority shareholder with 50.1%,
followed by China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) holding 35%, Habib
Bank Limited (HBL) with 9.5%, and Liberty Mills Limited (LML) with 5.4%. In
addition, CMEC has subscribed to preference shares amounting to USD 85 million.
Stability
The stability of EPTL is
underpinned by the strength and continuity of its sponsors — Engro Energy
Limited, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), Habib Bank Limited
(HBL), and Liberty Mills Limited — each bringing sectoral expertise and a demonstrated
long-term commitment to the project. This diversified and well-established
sponsor base provides strong strategic backing to the company. Further comfort
is derived from the long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with CPPA-G,
backed by sovereign guarantees from the Government of Pakistan, which ensures a
predictable revenue stream and reinforces the sponsors' continued confidence in
the project.
Business Acumen
The sponsor groups bring deep
expertise across multiple sectors, including power, coal mining, textiles,
banking, and engineering contracting. Engro Energy Limited contributes
extensive experience through its successful track record in developing and operating
power projects in Pakistan. China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC),
with a strong international presence, specializes in the construction of power
projects spanning generation, transmission, and distribution, and has delivered
numerous large-scale projects worldwide. Together, the sponsors’ diverse
capabilities and proven execution strength enhance EPTL’s operational
efficiency and long-term sustainability.
Financial Strength
EPTL’s sponsors demonstrate
substantial financial solidity and capacity to support the Company. Engro Group
provides robust backing through a diversified and highly profitable energy
portfolio. CMEC brings strong institutional stability and global exposure,
reflecting deep financial resilience. Habib Bank Limited (HBL), Pakistan’s
largest private-sector bank, brings a well-capitalized balance sheet and strong
capital adequacy metrics, enabling reliable access to liquidity and financial
markets. Liberty Mills Limited (LML), a flagship textile and energy group,
sustains steady cash flows and maintains a footprint in power and renewable
energy investments. The sponsors’ combined financial strength underpins EPTL’s
creditworthiness and long-term operating sustainability, reassuring
stakeholders of the Company’s ability to meet its obligations in all scenarios.
Governance
Board Structure
The Board of Directors of Engro
Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) is composed of eight members, with representation
reflecting the shareholding pattern of the company. Engro Energy Limited (EEL)
nominates four directors, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC)
nominates three, while Habib Bank Limited (HBL) nominates one.
Members’ Profile
The Board comprises experienced
professionals with strong backgrounds in energy, finance, and international
project development. Mr. Farooq Barkat Ali, Chairman of the Board and CFO of
Engro Corporation Limited, brings nearly two decades of financial and strategic
expertise. Mr. Athar Abrar Khwaja, CEO of EPTL, leads the Company’s management
and operations with over a decade of experience within the Engro Group. Other
members, including Mr. Sami Aziz, Mr. Zhao Wenke, Ms. Shi
Baojun, Mr. Wang Pu, Mr. Abdul Qayoom, and Mr. Asad Khan provide expertise
across engineering, project finance, technical operations, and stakeholder
engagement. Collectively, the Board’s diverse skillset enhances EPTL’s ability
to manage complex projects, mitigate risks, and ensure long-term sustainable
operations.
Board Effectiveness
The Board is supported by key
governance sub-committees, including the Audit Committee and the Board
Compensation Committee, which ensure sound financial oversight, compliance, and
executive accountability.
Financial Transparency
The Board continues to adhere to
the SECP Code of Corporate Governance, upholding accountability, and ethical
conduct as foundational principles. For CY25, the financial statements were
subjected to a comprehensive external audit by A.F. Ferguson & Co.,
Chartered Accountants, who issued an unqualified opinion stating that the
Statement of financial position, Statement of profit or
loss, Statement of comprehensive income, Statement of Changes in equity,
and Statement of cash flows, present a true and fair view of the state of the
Company’s affairs as at December 31, 2025.
Management
Organizational Structure
IPPs are typically characterized
by a flat organizational structure, comprising mainly finance and technical
staff, with the plant’s operations outsourced.
Management Team
The
management of Engro Powergen Thar Limited (EPTL) is spearheaded by seasoned
professionals with extensive industry expertise. Mr. Athar A. Khwaja, Chief
Executive Officer of both Engro Energy Limited (EEL) and EPTL, brings nearly 20
years of experience across process engineering, project execution, marketing,
strategic sourcing, and business development. Having begun his career with
Engro Polymer & Chemicals Limited in 2004, he has since led several
milestone projects, including the relocation and commissioning of a VCM plant
from the United States and major PVC and VCM expansions. His leadership spans
senior roles at ICI Pakistan and Engro Group, where he has consistently
delivered complex projects and long-term growth strategies. Mr. Wang Pu serves
as Chief Financial Officer of EPTL, holding a Bachelor's degree in Accounting
and Finance Management from the Central University of Finance and Economics,
Beijing, and brings over 16 years of relevant experience, having been
associated with the Company since 2020. The finance function is further
supported by Ms. Ekta Sitani, who also serves as Chief Financial Officer for
Engro Energy Limited and Engro Powergen Qadirpur Limited; a Fellow Chartered
Certified Accountant (FCCA) with over 18 years of diverse experience across
audit and assurance, internal controls, treasury, financial planning, and
organizational strategy, she has been with Engro since 2020, having previously
held leadership roles at Ernst & Young and Philip Morris International. On
the operations side, Mr. Fazal Rehman Thebo serves as Chief Operating Officer
of EPTL, bringing considerable operational and technical expertise to the
Company's power generation activities. The rest of the management team is
similarly well-rounded, comprising experienced professionals across
engineering, operations, and finance whose collective expertise underpins
EPTL's continued operational and strategic performance.
Effectiveness
The management team's
effectiveness derives from its stability, depth of experience, and alignment
with the company's long-term objectives. Backed by an adequate MIS, the team
maintains close oversight of operations and effective liaison with the O&M
operator. Regular leadership meetings, strategic review sessions, and targeted
operational briefings further reinforce this oversight, facilitating timely and
cohesive action across all business units.
Control Environment
The control environment at EPTL
is robust, with strong leadership, clear procedures, and proactive risk
management contributing to effective financial governance and operational
efficiency.
Operational Risk
Power Purchase Agreement
The electricity generated will be
sold to Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA-G) under a 30-year Power Purchase
Agreement (PPA). Further, the obligations of the power purchaser are guaranteed
by the Government of Pakistan. Moreover, a stable revenue stream is also
ensured through the guaranteed capacity charge (the component of the tariff
received irrespective of electricity production).
Operation and Maintenance
The Company entered into a
four-year O&M contract with Harbin Electric International Company Limited
in 2025, with a provision for rollover allowing for potential extensions beyond
the initial term.
Resource Risk
The Coal Supply Agreement of EPTL
is with Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) for 30 years, under which SECMC
provides 320,000 tons of coal per month. The Agreement remains an exclusive
contract by which EPTL is allowed to use substitute (imported) coal only in
case of non-availability of coal from the Supplier.
Insurance Cover
Insurance is attained for
material damage and third-party liability, affecting the profits. Additionally,
Marine, Terrorism, and Excess third-party liability insurances are also held.
Performance Risk
Industry Dynamics
As of March 2026, Pakistan's
total installed generation capacity reached 49,651 MW, up 8.5% from 45,782 MW a
year earlier, driven mainly by continued growth in net-metered distributed
solar (7,319 MW cumulative), even as 13 thermal IPPs totalling 5,105 MW were
retired or closed. Clean sources — hydel, nuclear and renewables combined — now
account for the majority of installed capacity at 50.8%, up from 43.3% a year
earlier, while thermal's share has fallen to 49.2% from 56.7%. Total generation
for FY26 rose 1.2% YoY to 128,700 GWh, with combined local and imported coal
generation climbing to 22.9% of the mix (up from 19.4% in FY25), led by a 51.6%
YoY surge in imported coal as reduced RLNG availability and elevated LNG costs
pushed dispatch toward coal. This dynamic sharpened further into Jul'26, when
power demand rose 7.1% YoY to 15,122 MW and coal-based generation hit a record
3,819 GWh (+44% YoY, imported coal +90% YoY), even as the sector's adjusted
fuel cost climbed to PKR 9.61/kWh and the FCA sought for the month — PKR
2.52/kWh above the reference tariff — was the highest since Jun'24.
Generation
The plant generated net
electrical output of ~1,890.62 GWh during 1HCY26 (Jan–Jun 2026), up from
~1,867.02 GWh in 1HCY25. The delivered energy depends on the electricity demand
from the power purchaser and the plant’s availability.
Performance Benchmark
The required availability for
EPTL under the PPA is 82.5% during the first five years and 85.5% for the next
25 years. Meanwhile, the required efficiency of the plant is 37%. On average,
the plant maintained its required benchmarks through 1HCY26.
Financial Risk
Financing Structure Analysis
EPTL’s
project is financed 75% through debt (USD 831 million), split 75:25 between
foreign and local borrowings, reflecting reliance on international funding. The
foreign debt of USD 621 million, provided by a consortium of Chinese banks, has
a 14-year tenure with 20 semiannual installments at 6-month LIBOR plus 4.2%,
transitioning to SOFR in 2025. It is secured via first-ranking hypothecation
over project assets, with shareholders providing 10% cost overrun support. The
local debt of USD 210 million (Rs. 24,150 million) includes facilities led by
HBL, National Bank of Pakistan, and Islamic banks, also with 14-year tenures
and semiannual repayments at 3-month KIBOR plus 3.5%, similarly secured and
supported by shareholders. As of June 30, 2026, ~59% of the foreign debt and
~48% of the local debt had been repaid. Overall, the structure combines
long-term secured financing with shareholder support, balancing leverage and
risk while accommodating interest rate transitions and currency exposures.
Liquidity Profile
As of June 30, 2026, the Company
holds significant trade and other receivables, reflecting delays in payments
primarily due to circular debt issues in the power sector. Total trade debts
amount to Rs. 29,119.73 million (Dec-25: Rs. 28,536.24 million), with the
majority within 0–90 days. Overdue balances from CPPA-G, as of June 30, 2026,
stand at Rs. 12,380.61 million (Dec-25: Rs. 8,455.65 million), split as upto 30
days: Rs. 5,053.75 million, 30–60 days: Rs. 4,904.68 million, and 60–90 days:
Rs. 2,422.18 million. These receivables are secured under the Implementation
Agreement and are not considered impaired. To manage working capital and
liquidity risks, the Company continues to utilize short-term borrowing
facilities. As of June 30, 2026, against an aggregate limit of Rs. 19,230
million, Rs. 14,670.66 million (76.3%) was availed, while continuously
monitoring secured and collectible receivables.
Working Capital Financing
Gross working capital days
improved markedly to 97 days as of 1HCY26 (Dec-25: 149 days), with trade
receivable days declining to 94 days (Dec-25: 146 days). Net working capital
days remained negative at (44) days (Dec-25: (13) days), as trade payable days
of 142 continued to exceed combined receivable and inventory days, reflecting
continued reliance on payables — largely to SECMC — to fund the working capital
cycle, alongside continued utilization of short-term borrowing limits.
Cash Flow Analysis
In 1HCY26, the company's Free
Cash Flow from Operations (FCFO) stood at PKR 23,292 million, compared to PKR
48,223 million for the full year CY25. Coverage ratios strengthened further:
EBITDA/Finance Cost improved to 4.6x (CY25: 3.8x; CY24: 2.5x) and FCFO/Finance
Cost improved to 4.5x (CY25: 3.7x), aided by a decline in finance cost to Rs.
5,208 million for the half-year (full-year CY25: Rs. 17,465 million),
reflecting both lower average debt balances following continued amortization
and easing benchmark rates.
Capitalization
As of June 30, 2026, Engro
Powergen Thar Limited's capital structure improved to approximately 51:49
debt-to-equity (Dec-25: 56:44; Dec-24: 62:38). Shareholders' equity stood at
Rs. 98,872 million (Dec-25: Rs. 92,874 million; Dec-24: Rs. 85,495 million);
including preference share capital, total equity was Rs. 108,596 million. Total
borrowings declined to Rs. 104,729 million (Dec-25: Rs. 117,302 million;
Dec-24: Rs. 138,354 million), continuing the company's multi-period
deleveraging trend, supported by a net asset base of Rs. 98,872 million.
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