Fate of 450mw power plant at Bheramara uncertain
Thursday, 28 June 2007
Doulot Akter Mala
The fate of 450-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Bheramara in Kushtia still remains uncertain due to fund constraints although the project was first conceived way back in 1999.
Sources said the project could not be materialised over the last eight years despite completion of all necessary paper works.
The Power Development Board (PDB) estimated the project cost at Tk 1.74 billion when it was drawn up in 1999.
The main objective of the project was to meet the rising demand for power in the northwestern region of the country.
Power Division sources said the government wasted five years seeking financial support from the multilateral donors including World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Later, the government planned to provide funds from its own coffer for implementation of the project.
But the government failed to make any further progress during the past three years due to financial constraints.
This year, a team of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted feasibility study on the project at the request of the present government.
Construction of the large power plant will take at least three years and by that time gas will be available through installation of a pipeline, power division sources said.
The PDB has a power plant with 60 MW capacity in Bheramara, which is known as a 'mother power house'.
Sources claimed that the region would get rid of the acute power shortage and low voltage problem with the installation of the 450 MW power plant adjacent to the 60 MW station.
This year, the government has proposed to allocate Tk 35 billion for the power sector.
In the budget for fiscal 2007-08, the government has announced a three-year plan to increase power generation by 345 MW in the first year, 900 MW in the second year and 1050 MW in the third year.
The authorities have to reactivate the pending project work and allocate sufficient fund to achieve the target, power division sources said.
Currently, the demand for power shot up to 5,200 MWs against the supply of around 3,500 MWs.
There are around 18 power plants, out of 64, remaining shutdown either because of maintenance work or overhauling purpose.
The fate of 450-megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant at Bheramara in Kushtia still remains uncertain due to fund constraints although the project was first conceived way back in 1999.
Sources said the project could not be materialised over the last eight years despite completion of all necessary paper works.
The Power Development Board (PDB) estimated the project cost at Tk 1.74 billion when it was drawn up in 1999.
The main objective of the project was to meet the rising demand for power in the northwestern region of the country.
Power Division sources said the government wasted five years seeking financial support from the multilateral donors including World Bank and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Later, the government planned to provide funds from its own coffer for implementation of the project.
But the government failed to make any further progress during the past three years due to financial constraints.
This year, a team of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) conducted feasibility study on the project at the request of the present government.
Construction of the large power plant will take at least three years and by that time gas will be available through installation of a pipeline, power division sources said.
The PDB has a power plant with 60 MW capacity in Bheramara, which is known as a 'mother power house'.
Sources claimed that the region would get rid of the acute power shortage and low voltage problem with the installation of the 450 MW power plant adjacent to the 60 MW station.
This year, the government has proposed to allocate Tk 35 billion for the power sector.
In the budget for fiscal 2007-08, the government has announced a three-year plan to increase power generation by 345 MW in the first year, 900 MW in the second year and 1050 MW in the third year.
The authorities have to reactivate the pending project work and allocate sufficient fund to achieve the target, power division sources said.
Currently, the demand for power shot up to 5,200 MWs against the supply of around 3,500 MWs.
There are around 18 power plants, out of 64, remaining shutdown either because of maintenance work or overhauling purpose.