Govt turns to coal import to feed power plants
Friday, 16 November 2007
Jasim Uddin Haroon
The government is planning to install two large imported coal-fired power plants in Chittagong and Mongla mainly to ensure smooth power supply to the industrial belts in the two regions.
The two regions have been facing an acute power shortage for long affecting hundreds of manufacturing factories in the areas.
Currently, the country is facing a shortage of power ranging from 400-500 megawatts (MW) each day. The power shortage in the port city and Mongla is 100 MW each.
The government took the move to install the country's first imported coal-fired power plants to tap alternative sources taking into consideration the depletion of natural gas after 2012.
Apart from this, the government is also mulling setting up a 50 MW hydro power plant at Kaptai in Rangamati.
Sources in the Power Division said that it wanted to install a 100 MW hydro power plant at Kaptai, but later it retreated from their earlier position following objection from the team of BUET experts.
The government has taken the move to import coal from Indonesia and Australia, which are deemed to be rich enough in mineral resources to meet Bangladesh's demand for the raw materials.
Secretary of Power Division Faizul Kabir Khan said that the government had sent letters to their respective missions in Indonesia and Australia to explore the possibility of coal import and its supply chain.
"It is under study. We are yet to estimate the capacity of power generation from the plants," he added.
Sources also said the government has to devise a proper coal management to ensure its smooth supply and distribution besides installation of two separate harbours for unloading the imported coal.
Sources also said the harbours may be set up in Chittagong and Mongla and their locations must be at least 50 kilometres away from residential areas as it may leave adverse impact on the environment.
Khizir Khan, Chairman of Power Development Board (PDB) told the FE that the government took such a move to meet the increased demand for fuel in the country.
The government is planning to install two large imported coal-fired power plants in Chittagong and Mongla mainly to ensure smooth power supply to the industrial belts in the two regions.
The two regions have been facing an acute power shortage for long affecting hundreds of manufacturing factories in the areas.
Currently, the country is facing a shortage of power ranging from 400-500 megawatts (MW) each day. The power shortage in the port city and Mongla is 100 MW each.
The government took the move to install the country's first imported coal-fired power plants to tap alternative sources taking into consideration the depletion of natural gas after 2012.
Apart from this, the government is also mulling setting up a 50 MW hydro power plant at Kaptai in Rangamati.
Sources in the Power Division said that it wanted to install a 100 MW hydro power plant at Kaptai, but later it retreated from their earlier position following objection from the team of BUET experts.
The government has taken the move to import coal from Indonesia and Australia, which are deemed to be rich enough in mineral resources to meet Bangladesh's demand for the raw materials.
Secretary of Power Division Faizul Kabir Khan said that the government had sent letters to their respective missions in Indonesia and Australia to explore the possibility of coal import and its supply chain.
"It is under study. We are yet to estimate the capacity of power generation from the plants," he added.
Sources also said the government has to devise a proper coal management to ensure its smooth supply and distribution besides installation of two separate harbours for unloading the imported coal.
Sources also said the harbours may be set up in Chittagong and Mongla and their locations must be at least 50 kilometres away from residential areas as it may leave adverse impact on the environment.
Khizir Khan, Chairman of Power Development Board (PDB) told the FE that the government took such a move to meet the increased demand for fuel in the country.