WB for faster construction of Siddhirganj Power Plant

The World Bank (WB) urged the authorities concerned to expedite construction of Siddhirganj 335-megawatt (MW) peaking power plant. The WB came up with the advice after routine review of the project implementation by a joint team of the multi-donor agency and the government. The team found 46 per cent progress in the plant’s construction, which began in 2010. However, the team saw the construction for gas transmission pipeline and power evacuation system was nearing completion with 80% and 98% work completed respectively. Currently, soil consolidation work is going on at the $ 350-million power plant project, which is scheduled to be completed in March, 2016. Once completed, the project will add 355-mw electricity to the national grid to help meet the peak-hour high demand. With financial and technical supports from the WB, the Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh (EGCB), Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL), and Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) are implementing the combined power plant, gas transmission line and the power evacuation system respectively, according to BSS.