Of the 12 coal based power plants in the pipeline, construction work have begun for three. The others are still at a pre-tender stage.
Work for one of the three is slow though no one wants to comment on this.
Relevant power company officials informed that the 1320 MW power plant of Bangladesh China Power Company Limited, BCPCL, is in the most advanced state of work.
It’s believed, 44 per cent work has already been completed.
Khorshed Alam, MD of BCPCL, says: “the first 620 MW unit of the plant will go into production in the middle of next year and the second unit will be completed at the end of next year.”
Power ministry sources say that in constructing the power plant, a condition was given to the contractor to spend 15 per cent of the cost in advance.
By the time the first instalment of the loan was disbursed, the contractor, NEPC, had already completed 35 per cent of the work.
The plant is being constructed with the financial support of Exim Bank, China. The state owned North West Power Company and China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation are unitedly building the plant.
In Matarbari, 1200 MW coal based plant is being constructed with finances with Japanese aid from JICA.
State owned Coal Power Generation Company signed a deal with Japan based Sumitomo consortium last August.
Land development for the plant is almost near completion.
Along with the plant, a channel will be excavated at a cost of $ 4.58 billion. A survey is being carried out to build a coal port here.
The work or this plan was delayed by the Gulshan Holey Artisan attack.
Production will begin in 2024.
MD of Coal Power Generation, Golam Kibria, says: “after land development, mapping will be done; based on that, equipment will be purchased.”
In the face of protest from environmentalists, the Bangladesh India Friendship Company, BIFCL, began construction a 1320 MW power plant at Rampal.
BIFCL sources say that land filling is complete though due to low quality earth, 28000 pilings will be needed. In Paira, 8000 pilings were done.
This will result in added expenses and with the 42 per cent rise in the price of rods, the plant is facing a crisis.
BIFCL top leadership declined to comment on the issue.
Work for other power plants is moving at a lethargic pace and they include, Moheshkhali by PDB and SEMBCORP, two separate 1200 MW plants with Malaysian company, a plant with Chinese CHDHK and others.
For four suggested plants, MoUs have not been signed as yet.
Prime minister’s energy adviser, Dr. Tawfiq e Elahi Chowdhury, says: “government has imported LNG to meet energy crisis; emphasis must also be given to coal based plants.”