Ashuganj power co to get 2 new units, shut 5 old ones
Friday, 8 January 2010
FHM Humayan Kabir
Ashuganj Power Stations Company Ltd (APSCL) would conduct a major upgradation by installing two gas-fired power units having a combined 600mw capacity. In the process, it will scrap the existing five ailing units. The project is aimed at generating additional power utilising the same amount of gas, company officials said Thursday.
The company officials said the existing five power units with a combined capacity of 274 megawatt were set up 30 to 40 years ago, the efficiency of which has declined drastically. They also consume more gas to generate electricity.
"We have now plan to set up 150mw and 450mw gas-fired combined cycle power units scrapping the five existing small units," managing director of the company Abdul Khaleque told the FE.
"The five units consume nearly 50 million cubic feet (mmcfd) of gas per day to generate maximum 228mw power. Utilising the same gas, we will operate the proposed two 600mw capacity units," he said.
The managing director said the aging units have become a burden to our company as cost recovery is impossible from them due to decline of their efficiency and their completion of over 30 years of age.
Out of them, two power units with 64mw capacity each were set up in 1970 and the two other units with 56mw capacity each and the 20mw capacity steam turbine were installed in 1982.
"The machines of the five units are very old. Now the international companies produce electricity with upgraded technology having more efficiency in power generation," Mr. Khaleque said adding, "we cannot even manage spare parts of the existing machines during any malfunction."
The APSCL is a public limited company, which supplies about 650mw of power per day from its eight units at Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria district.
The company MD said they have planned to invest Tk 23.10 billion to set up 600mw capacity two power units.
The proposed 150mw plant will require Tk 860 million and the 450mw plant Tk 22.23 billion investments.
Mr. Khaleque said the Korean government has already shown interest to bankroll the 150mw combined cycle plant after a discussion recently.
"Besides, we have sought funds from the Japanese government and Asian Development Bank for setting up the 450mw unit," he added.
"We have already sent project documents to the planning ministry for approval," Mr. Khaleque said adding, "The ERD will finally negotiate with the donors for confirming funds."
Bangladesh is a developing country with fast industrial development, where the power demand growth accounts for nearly 10 per cent per year.
The existing government and private sector power plants generate about 3800mw of power against the demand for over 5000mw per day.
Ashuganj Power Stations Company Ltd (APSCL) would conduct a major upgradation by installing two gas-fired power units having a combined 600mw capacity. In the process, it will scrap the existing five ailing units. The project is aimed at generating additional power utilising the same amount of gas, company officials said Thursday.
The company officials said the existing five power units with a combined capacity of 274 megawatt were set up 30 to 40 years ago, the efficiency of which has declined drastically. They also consume more gas to generate electricity.
"We have now plan to set up 150mw and 450mw gas-fired combined cycle power units scrapping the five existing small units," managing director of the company Abdul Khaleque told the FE.
"The five units consume nearly 50 million cubic feet (mmcfd) of gas per day to generate maximum 228mw power. Utilising the same gas, we will operate the proposed two 600mw capacity units," he said.
The managing director said the aging units have become a burden to our company as cost recovery is impossible from them due to decline of their efficiency and their completion of over 30 years of age.
Out of them, two power units with 64mw capacity each were set up in 1970 and the two other units with 56mw capacity each and the 20mw capacity steam turbine were installed in 1982.
"The machines of the five units are very old. Now the international companies produce electricity with upgraded technology having more efficiency in power generation," Mr. Khaleque said adding, "we cannot even manage spare parts of the existing machines during any malfunction."
The APSCL is a public limited company, which supplies about 650mw of power per day from its eight units at Ashuganj in Brahmanbaria district.
The company MD said they have planned to invest Tk 23.10 billion to set up 600mw capacity two power units.
The proposed 150mw plant will require Tk 860 million and the 450mw plant Tk 22.23 billion investments.
Mr. Khaleque said the Korean government has already shown interest to bankroll the 150mw combined cycle plant after a discussion recently.
"Besides, we have sought funds from the Japanese government and Asian Development Bank for setting up the 450mw unit," he added.
"We have already sent project documents to the planning ministry for approval," Mr. Khaleque said adding, "The ERD will finally negotiate with the donors for confirming funds."
Bangladesh is a developing country with fast industrial development, where the power demand growth accounts for nearly 10 per cent per year.
The existing government and private sector power plants generate about 3800mw of power against the demand for over 5000mw per day.