Power infrastructure projects in Bangladesh

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/business/2021/08/17/nasrul-hamid-breb-rural-consumers-have-reached-31-8-million

Nasrul Hamid: BREB rural consumers have reached 31.8 million

 UNB

 Published at 06:23 pm August 17th, 2021

Power sector is playing a vital role in implementing the 'My Village-My City' program to fulfil the pledges of the prime minister, he says 

The number of consumers under the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) in the country’s rural areas has reached 31.8 million, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said on Tuesday. 

He also urged the power officials to improve their services to satisfy consumers.

“Achieving customer satisfaction should be our main target now. You have to provide improved services to the doorsteps of the consumers,” he said while addressing a webinar organized by the BREB to observe the National Mourning Day 2021.   

The virtual seminar, with BREB Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Moin Uddin in the chair, was addressed by Power Secretary Habibur Rahman and Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain.

Hamid said the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken various steps to provide electrification services to the rural areas considering the economic development of the rural people.  

“Erasing the difference between the urban and rural areas was the main goal of Bangabandhu,” he said, adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working to achieve the goal through expanding modern amenities to the villages.

The state minister said the power sector has been playing a vital role in implementing the “My Village-My City” program to fulfil the pledges of the prime minister.    

He also directed the BREB officials to use improved technologies in rural electrification as well as to encourage people to use energy-efficient appliances for ensuring economic consumption of power.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/bangladesh-close-to-100pc-electricity-coverage-1629466292

Bangladesh close to 100pc electricity coverage

 BSS | Published:  August 20, 2021 19:31:33

Bangladesh has edged close to cent per cent electrification, as around 99.5 per cent of people have already come under electricity coverage, which was only 47 per cent in 2009.

"Incredible success was achieved in the electricity and power sector as we are supplying power to 99.5 per cent of our population," said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid.

 Since 2009, the country is managed to generate an additional 20,293 megawatts of electricity, raising the total output to 25,235 megawatts, he said.

 "We're highly optimistic that the remaining 0.5 per cent population will get electricity by this year," he added.

 Nasrul said that the government has undertaken a crash programme in 2016 in line with 'Sheikh Hasina's initiative-electricity in every house' project.

 Under the project, supply of electricity will have to be ensured to every house by 2021, he said, adding that the project will be completed this year.

 According to the latest data of power cell, the power generation capacity of Bangladesh now stands at 25,235 MW, with power connections increasing to 40.7 million. The number of power plants is now 146. The government is now importing 1160 MW electricity from India.

Power and Energy experts said that Bangladesh has already been included in the list of countries in South Asia that have brought 100 per cent people under electricity coverage.

According to the World Bank, 100 per cent of the people in Sri Lanka, Maldives and mountainous Bhutan have brought all people under electricity coverage in 2019.

Bangladesh Awami League promised to ensure a comprehensive long term policy on electricity and energy and economic usage of oil, gas, coal, hydropower, wind power and solar energy before national polls.

In its promise, big and small power generation units, coal extraction, and oil and gas exploration are supposed to be given priority.

The government has already reached electricity to the off-grid population of Sandwip by installing submarine cables under the bottom of the sea.

People of the remote char Ramkantpur of Sujanagar in Pabna are also getting power that has changed their life standard as people there are running small scale rice mills, poultry farms and electricity-driven vehicles.

According to the World Bank data in 2019, electricity coverage reached 92.2 per cent in Bangladesh, 97.2 per cent in India, 73.9 per cent in Pakistan and 97.7 per cent in Afghanistan.

But, now Bangladesh has brought 99.5 per cent of its population under electricity coverage, while the rest of the people will come under its coverage within this year.

Talking to BSS, International Energy Consultant Khondkar Abdus Saleque Sufi said people's access to power across the country particularly in rural areas has a major positive impact on the agricultural economy.

"The use of modern machinery has increased in agricultural production. This has created new avenues of livelihood. However, if electricity becomes affordable and uninterrupted, it will contribute more to economic growth," he added.

Bangladesh has made significant progress in ensuring people's access to electricity as the power coverage reached 99.5 per cent mainly because of stronger political commitment of the Awami League government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, said an energy expert.

"Access to quality and reliable electricity is no more a dream as the government has been working round the clock to make Bangladesh a developed one by 2041," said state minister for energy Nasrul.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/bpdb-transfer-entire-desco-stake-dpdc-296401#.YS-pSDodvMA.facebook

TBS Report

01 September, 2021, 09:30 pm

Last modified: 01 September, 2021, 09:36 pm

BPDB to transfer entire Desco stake to DPDC

The transfer will take place outside the stock exchange’s trading system

 

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is going to transfer all of its 67% stake in Dhaka Electric Supply Company (Desco) Ltd to Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd, a younger sibling of the listed power distribution company.

"As per government order, BPDB is transferring the entire Desco stake," said Kazi Ashraful Hoque, BPDB's finance and accounts controller.

The transfer process has already been initiated, he told The Business Standard.

Desco informed its shareholders that the company's sponsor, BPDB, owns nearly 26.38 crore of its 39.76 crore paid-up shares with a face value of Tk10 each.

The entire stake transfer is to take place outside the stock exchange's trading system with the approval of the Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC).

Both Desco and DPDC are spin offs of the now defunct Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (Desa).

Desa, an autonomous body, was formed in the early 1990s to take over the power distribution network of Dhaka city and some surrounding areas, from the then Power Development Board (PDB).

As the government preferred a company structure instead of autonomous bodies, ultimately Desa handed over all of its assets and liabilities to two state-owned companies – Desco and DPDC.

Desco operates in the northern part of Dhaka while DPDC serves the southern part of the city.

After Desco, DPDC took over the remaining everything from Desa and began commercial operation in mid-2008 to abolish its ancestor Desa.

Desco, listed in 2006, now has its paid-up capital of nearly Tk400 crore.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.banglarunnoyon.net/national-news/44075

বাড়ি বাড়ি ঘুরে ২১ লাখ সংযোগ

ডেস্ক রিপোর্ট

প্রকাশিত: ২ সেপ্টেম্বর ২০২১  

শুরুটা ঝিনাইদহের হরিণাকুণ্ডু উপজেলায়। বাড়ি বাড়ি যেতে শুরু করে একটি ভ্যান। কেউ চাইলেই তার বাড়িতে দিয়ে দেয় বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ, মাত্র পাঁচ মিনিটে। চার দিনে এভাবে সংযোগ পান ৫৪ জন গ্রাহক। এরপর এটি বন্ধ হয়ে যায়। এক সপ্তাহ পর শুরু হয় আবার; এবার সারা দেশে। ভ্যান থেকে গত আড়াই বছরে ঘরে বসে বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ পান প্রায় ২১ লাখ গ্রাহক।

বাড়ি বাড়ি ঘুরে বেড়ানো এই ভ্যানের নাম ‘আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা’। ২০১৮ সালের ২৪ ডিসেম্বর এটি শুরু করেন পল্লী বিদ্যুতায়ন বোর্ডের (আরইবি) সহকারী মহাব্যবস্থাপক শেখ আবদুর রহমান। দুর্নীতি কমাতে মধ্যস্বত্বভোগীর হাত থেকে গ্রাহকদের সুরক্ষায় এমন ধারণা আসে তাঁর মাথায়।

আরইবি বলছে, ২০১৯ সালের জানুয়ারি থেকে গত জুলাই পর্যন্ত সারা দেশে নতুন বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ পেয়েছেন ৭৪ লাখ ৭৯ হাজার ৭৫৫ জন গ্রাহক। এর মধ্যে বাড়ি বাড়ি গিয়ে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ দিয়েছে ২০ লাখ ৫৮ হাজার ৪৪৩টি। তার মানে ২৭ দশমিক ৫২ শতাংশ সংযোগ এসেছে এভাবে।

আবদুর রহমান এখন আরইবির উপমহাব্যবস্থাপক, কাজ করেন বাগেরহাটের চিতলমারী উপজেলায়। তিনি বলেন, শুরু করার চার দিন পর জাতীয় সংসদ নির্বাচনের কারণে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা সেবাটি বন্ধ হয়ে যায়। এরপর ২০১৯–এর ৩ জানুয়ারি প্রথম আলোয় এ সেবা নিয়ে একটি প্রতিবেদন প্রকাশিত হয়। ওই দিনই এক অনলাইন সভার মাধ্যমে সারা দেশের কর্মকর্তাদের এ কর্মসূচি চালুর নির্দেশনা দেন আরইবি চেয়ারম্যান।

এ বিষয়ে আরইবির চেয়ারম্যান মঈন উদ্দিন বলেন, শতভাগ বিদ্যুতায়নে অন্যতম ভূমিকা রেখেছে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা। এটি একটি সরাসরি সেবা। সারা দেশে ছড়িয়ে পড়েছে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা। একটি বাড়িও যাতে বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগের বাইরে না থাকে, সেই চেষ্টা করা হচ্ছে।

আরইবি বলছে, সারা দেশে এ সংস্থার আওতায় পল্লী বিদ্যুৎ সমিতি আছে ৮০টি। প্রতি সমিতির আওতায় ১০টি করে ভ্যান নামানো হয়। গ্রামে গ্রামে ঘুরে বেড়ায় ৮০০ ভ্যান। এর ফলে নতুন বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ কর্মসূচি বাড়তি গতি পায়। নতুন সংযোগের পাশাপাশি বিভিন্ন ধরনের গ্রাহকসেবা দেওয়া হয় এসব ভ্যান থেকে। বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগ বলছে, দেশের সবচেয়ে বড় বিদ্যুৎ বিতরণকারী প্রতিষ্ঠান আরইবি। দেশে বর্তমানে চার কোটি বিদ্যুৎ গ্রাহকের মধ্যে ৩ কোটি ১৬ লাখের বেশি গ্রাহক আরইবির। মুজিব বর্ষে শতভাগ বিদ্যুতায়নের লক্ষ্যমাত্রায় বড় ভূমিকা রেখেছে এ সংস্থা। ২০১৯ সালে বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগের ‘সেরা উদ্ভাবনী’ কর্মসূচির পুরস্কার পেয়েছে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা।

দেশের মোট ৪৬২টি উপজেলায় কাজ করছে আরইবি। এর মধ্যেই একটি সৌরবিদ্যুতের আওতায়। বাকি ৪৬১টির মধ্যে ২৮৮টি উপজেলাকে আনুষ্ঠানিকভাবে শতভাগ বিদ্যুতায়িত ঘোষণা করা হয়েছে। শতভাগ বিদ্যুতায়িত বাকি ১৭৩টি উপজেলা আগামী ১২ সেপ্টেম্বর প্রধানমন্ত্রীর উদ্বোধন করার কথা রয়েছে।

বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদ প্রতিমন্ত্রী নসরুল হামিদ বলেন, বিনা পয়সায় বিদ্যুৎ পাওয়ার ধারণাটাই গ্রামের মানুষের ছিল না। তাই আরইবিকে ঘরে ঘরে গিয়ে বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ দেওয়ার নির্দেশনা দেওয়া হয়েছিল। এর মধ্য দিয়ে অবৈধ লেনদেনের সুযোগ উঠে গেছে। আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা চালু থাকবে। অন্য বিতরণ কোম্পানিগুলোকেও এটি চালু করতে নির্দেশনা দেওয়া হয়েছে।

৫ মিনিটে বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ
আরইবি বলছে, একটি মোটরচালিত ভ্যানে করে মিটার, সার্ভিস ড্রপ তার, অফিশিয়াল রসিদ বই, জামানত জমা গ্রহণের রসিদ বই, আবেদন ফরম, দুজন লাইনম্যান, একজনজন ওয়্যারিং পরিদর্শক বা একজন জুনিয়র ইঞ্জিনিয়ার প্রয়োজনীয় যন্ত্রপাতিসহ গ্রাহকের দরজায় গিয়ে আবেদন গ্রহণ করেন। সব তথ্য, কাগজপত্র, ওয়্যারিং যাচাই করে সঠিক থাকলে প্রয়োজনীয় নির্ধারিত ফি স্পটেই গ্রহণ করে পাঁচ মিনিটের মধ্যে গ্রাহকের নতুন সংযোগ প্রদান করে। সংযোগ দেওয়ার পাশাপাশি গ্রাহকদের বিভিন্ন রকম সমস্যার তাৎক্ষণিক সমাধান দিচ্ছে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা।

ঢাকায় ১০ দিন পর বন্ধ!
গত বছর মার্চের শুরুতে রাজধানীতে ফেরি করে বিদ্যুৎ–সেবা চালু করে ঢাকা পাওয়ার ডিস্ট্রিবিউশন কোম্পানি লিমিটেড (ডিপিডিসি)। এতে নতুন সংযোগ দেওয়ার পাশাপাশি নানা সচেতনতামূলক প্রচার চালানো হয় ভ্যান থেকে। বিশেষ করে দুর্ঘটনা প্রতিরোধে গ্রাহকদের সচেতন করতে বিভিন্ন পরামর্শ দেওয়া হয়। ১৮টি বিতরণ সেবা অঞ্চলে তিনটি মিনি ট্রাকে করে এ সেবা চালু করা হয়। টানা ১০ দিন ধরে চলা এ কর্মসূচিতে প্রায় আড়াই হাজার গ্রাহক ঘরে বসে বিদ্যুৎ–সংযোগ পান। এরপর করোনা সংক্রমণ পরিস্থিতির জন্য সারা দেশে সাধারণ ছুটি ঘোষণার পর এটি বন্ধ হয়ে যায়। এ বিষয়ে ডিপিডিসির ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক বিকাশ দেওয়ান বলেন, ফেরি করে গ্রাহকের কাছে যাওয়ার কারণে ভালো সাড়া পাওয়া গেছে। নতুন সংযোগ, লোড বৃদ্ধি, মিটার পরিবর্তন, ভুল সংশোধনসহ সব ধরনের সেবা দেওয়া হয়েছে। করোনা পরিস্থিতি স্বাভাবিক হয়ে এলে এ কর্মসূচি আবার চালু করা হবে।

দালালের হাত থেকে সুরক্ষা
বিদ্যুৎ খাতের ১ হাজার ৪০০ গ্রাহকের ওপর জরিপ চালিয়ে গত মে মাসে একটি প্রতিবেদন দেয় রাষ্ট্রায়ত্ত প্রতিষ্ঠান ইনফ্রাস্ট্রাকচার ইনভেস্টমেন্ট ফ্যাসিলিয়েশন কোম্পানি (আইআইএফসি)। এতে দেখা যায়, ৫২ শতাংশ গ্রাহক বিদ্যুৎ-সংযোগ নেন মধ্যস্বত্বভোগী বা দালালের মাধ্যমে। মধ্যস্বত্বভোগীর এমন দৌরাত্ম্য বন্ধ করে জনগণের দোরগোড়ায় সেবা পৌঁছে দিতে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালার মতো কর্মসূচি চালু থাকা দরকার বলে মনে করেন সংশ্লিষ্ট ব্যক্তিরা।

কনজ্যুমারস অ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব বাংলাদেশের (ক্যাব) জ্বালানি উপদেষ্টা এম শামসুল আলম বলেন, অধিকাংশ সংযোগ হয়েছে আলোর ফেরিওয়ালার বাইরে। সেখানে তো অনিয়ম বন্ধ করা যায়নি। সংযোগ দিলেও নিরবচ্ছিন্ন বিদ্যুৎ নিশ্চিত করা যায়নি। তাদের বিতরণ ব্যয় বাড়ছে। তিনি আরও বলেন, প্রান্তিক জনগোষ্ঠীকে আরও বেশি সেবা দিতে আরইবিকে শহর এলাকায় তাদের সম্প্রসারণ বন্ধ করতে হবে। আরইবিকে ব্যবসায়ী বানানোর চিন্তা করলে বিদ্যুৎ খাতে সরকারের গর্ব করার মতো আর কিছু থাকবে না।

[Joel Ahmed]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/five-power-plants-to-be-inaugurated-on-september-12-1630759925

Five power plants to be inaugurated on September 12

Published:  September 04, 2021 18:52:06 | Updated:  September 05, 2021 08:49:36

Five power plants, having a total of 879 MW electricity generation capacity, will be inaugurated on September 12.

"Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate these power plants through a video conference from Ganabhaban at 10:00 am on that day," Saiful Islam, a director (public relations) of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), said on Saturday.

He said the five power plants are Bibiyana-III 400 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Habiganj, Zulda, Chattogram 100 MW Power Plant Unit-2, Meghnaghat 104 MW Power Plant in Narayanganj, Modhumoti 100 MW Power Plant in Bagerhat and up-gradation of Sylhet 150 MW Power Plant to 225 MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Sylhet, reports BSS.

According to the power ministry, the government has successfully constructed 119 power plants having a capacity of electricity production of 20,293 MW after assuming power in 2009.

It said the government had a target to generate 24,000 MW of electricity by 2021, but in the meantime, the target has already been exceeded.

Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, said the electricity generation capacity reached 25,235 MW now (including captive power) which was 4,942 MW in 2009.

"We have brought around 99.5 per cent of the population under electricity facilities due to the bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said.

Nasrul Hamid said the Awami League-led government has achieved tremendous successes in the power sector during its last 12 years and has given top priority to the development of the sector considering its importance in the overall enhancement of the country.

"With sincere and relentless efforts by the government, the per capita electricity generation reached to 560 kWh, which was only 220 kWh in 2009. And the system loss brought down to 8.49 per cent from 14.33 per cent," he added.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/cabinet-approves-5-yr-extension-of-special-provision-for-quick-energy-supply-1630927097

Cabinet approves 5-yr extension of special provision for quick energy supply

Published:  September 06, 2021 17:18:17 | Updated:  September 06, 2021 17:24:19

The cabinet on Monday cleared a proposal for the extension of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 for another five years till 2026.

The approval came from the virtual cabinet meeting held with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, reports UNB.

The PM joined it from her official residence Ganobhaban. Other cabinet members were connected with the meeting from the Bangladesh Secretariat.

"Since the tenure of the existing law is going to expire in 2021, the proposed law was brought to extend it by another five years till 2026," said Cabinet Secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam while briefing reporters after the meeting.

He said the cabinet gave the final approval to the draft of Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) (Amendment) Bill, 2021 in order to ensure uninterrupted supply of electricity and energy for the sake of making Bangladesh into a higher middle-income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2041.

The tenure of the special provision, enacted in 2010, was extended on several occasions in the past, he said.

"But no change other than time extension has been made to the proposed law," said the Cabinet Secretary.

Besides, the Cabinet gave the final approval to the draft of Public Debt Bill, 2021 to make the existing as a time-befitting one.

Anwarul Islam said the Public Debt Act 1944 is a very old law, which was extended on several occasions. "Since the debt system witnessed a radical change, the Finance Division designed the new law," he said.

According to the proposed law, the government will give a precise guarantee against the debt taken by the government from the people that they would get back the deposited money anyhow, he said.

New provision was also incorporated in the draft law for running a Shariah-based deposit system alongside the normal deposit system, said the Cabinet Secretary, adding the public would be informed about the profits or interest against their deposits.

If anyone does not provide false information in obtaining the issued certificates under the government security and saving certificate schemes, he or she would face maximum six-month imprisonment, Tk 100,000 fine or both.

The meeting also approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Police (Subordinate Employees) Welfare Fund Bill, 2021 to replace an ordinance promulgated during the military regime.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/274296/আজ-৫-বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র-উদ্বোধন-করবেন-প্রধানমন্ত্রী

আজ ৫ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র উদ্বোধন করবেন প্রধানমন্ত্রী

নিজস্ব প্রতিবেদক

সেপ্টেম্বর ১২, ২০২১

প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনা আজ মোট ৭৭৯ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদনে সক্ষম পাঁচটি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র উদ্বোধন করবেন। সকাল ১০টায় গণভবন থেকে ভিডিও কনফারেন্সিংয়ের মাধ্যমে এ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রগুলো উদ্বোধন করবেন তিনি। বাংলাদেশ বিদ্যুৎ উন্নয়ন বোর্ড (বিপিডিবি) সূত্রে এ তথ্য জানা গেছে।

বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রগুলোর মধ্যে রয়েছে হবিগঞ্জের জুলদায় বিবিয়ানা-৩ ৪০০ মেগাওয়াট কম্বাইন্ড সাইকেল বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র, চট্টগ্রাম ১০০ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র ইউনিট-২, নারায়ণগঞ্জে মেঘনাঘাট ১০৪ মেগাওয়াট পাওয়ার প্লান্ট, বাগেরহাটে মধুমতি ১০০ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র এবং সিলেটের ১৫০ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র থেকে ১৫০ মেগাওয়াট কম্বাইন্ড সাইকেল বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে উত্তরণ।

উদ্বোধনী অনুষ্ঠানে বিদ্যুৎ ভবনের বিজয় হল থেকে যোগ দেবেন প্রধানমন্ত্রীর বিদ্যুৎ ও জ্বালানি উপদেষ্টা ড. তৌফিক-ই-এলাহী চৌধুরী বীর বিক্রম, বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদ প্রতিমন্ত্রী নসরুল হামিদ, বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদবিষয়ক সংসদীয় স্থায়ী কমিটির চেয়ারম্যান ওয়াসেকা আয়েশা খান, জ্বালানি বিভাগের সিনিয়র সচিব মো. আনিসুর রহমান, বিদ্যুৎ সচিব মো. হাবিবুর রহমান ও বিপিডিবির চেয়ারম্যান। গণভবন থেকে প্রধানমন্ত্রীর মুখ্য সচিব ড. আহমদ কায়কাউস উপস্থিত থাকবেন।

বিদ্যুৎ মন্ত্রণালয়ের তথ্যমতে, ২০০৯ সাল থেকে সরকার ২০ হাজার ২৯৩ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদনে সক্ষম ১১৯টি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র নির্মাণ করেছে। ২০২১ সাল নাগাদ ২৪ হাজার মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন সক্ষমতা অর্জনের লক্ষ্যমাত্রা নির্ধারণ করা হয়েছিল। এরই মধ্যে লক্ষ্যমাত্রা ছাড়িয়ে গেছে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন সক্ষমতা।

বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদ প্রতিমন্ত্রী নসরুল হামিদ জানান, বর্তমানে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন সক্ষমতা ২৫ হাজার ২৩৫ মেগাওয়াটে পৌঁছেছে। ২০০৯ সালে এটি ছিল ৪ হাজার ৯৪২ মেগাওয়াট।

[Joel Ahmed]

http://tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/pm-outlines-how-electricity-driven-economy-emerge-301600

TBS Report

12 September, 2021, 10:35 pm

Last modified: 12 September, 2021, 10:45 pm

PM outlines how electricity-driven economy to emerge

She also emphasises giving importance to the environment while taking up any development project

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has envisioned an electricity-run transport system – electric trains, buses and cars – to match the country's overall development activities.

To complement the upcoming development plans, she on Sunday said the country will continue to add new power plants.

"Electricity-run metro rail will start its operation soon and electric buses will gradually be introduced in the future. We will be able to manufacture electric cars in our country and our rail system will also be shifted to electricity," the PM said while virtually inaugurating five power plants that add 779 megawatts to the national grid.

The latest inauguration has pushed up the country's on-grid power generation capacity to 22,000MW, while the demand hovers between 11,500MW and 13,000MW.

But this demand gap is temporary. The prime minister noted that the government has several long-term plans to turn the country into a developed country. These plans include a Perspective Plan, Vision-2041 and Delta Plan.

Implementing these plans will push up energy demands quickly and so the government will continue rolling out new power projects.

Emphasising uninterrupted power supply, the PM said the transmission lines have to be set up alongside increasing the production to meet the demand.

"So, we are constructing the transmission lines as well," she said.

The premier said the government's main aim is to provide electricity extensively to rural areas so the scope of employment generation increases.

She continued, "The overall development of rural people is on top of our priority list and that is why we have given the highest importance to communication and power lines."

"Along with the electricity generation capacity growth, the people's electricity consumption has also increased," Sheikh Hasina noted at the inaugural function.

Rural people are now enjoying urban facilities because of electricity access, which is their constitutional right too, she added.

However, she urged the people to maintain austerity in using electricity to repay most of the government's huge subsidy to power generation.

"The government has been providing a huge subsidy to power generation and that is why you [people] are getting electricity at an affordable price...if you do not maintain austerity in using electricity, we cannot continue this subsidy anymore."

PM's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury also spoke on the occasion, while State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid also attended the ceremony. 

Power Division's Secretary Md Habibur Rahman at the event highlighted the overall development of power sectors under the Awami League government.

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus conducted the ceremony at Ganabhaban.

A documentary on the newly-built five power plants was screened at the ceremony.

The five power plants are Bibiyana-3 400-MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Habiganj, up-gradation of 150-MW Power Plant to 225-MW Combined Cycle Power Plant in Sylhet, Zulda 100-MW Power Plant Unit-2 in Chattogram, Meghnaghat 104-MW Power Plant in Narayanganj and Modhumoti 100-MW Power Plant in Bagerhat.

The prime minister observed that both solvency and purchasing power of people in rural areas have increased as they can now afford TV, refrigerator, and in many cases air conditioners too. "Their capacity has increased gradually and it has grown even more…it is now our desire that there will be no disparity and people will get every facility."

In this connection, she said the people will have to develop the habit of austerity as there is no disgrace if they exercise the practice of putting off the switch with their own hands after using electricity.

The premier also unveiled the cover of a publication titled "100" on the occasion of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

The prime minister also emphasised giving importance to the environment while taking up any development project.

 "We must focus on the environment while taking up any project. We always should take protective measures before taking any step," she said.

Regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, she said the government is providing vaccines to people so that no one is left out of it, no matter what the cost is.

She reiterated her call to all to maintain health safety guidelines even after taking vaccines.

The premier said the development pace in the country has suffered a little setback owing to the pandemic, but it has not been halted, rather the wheels of the country's economy are running better than in other countries across the world.

Meanwhile in another programme, Nasrul Hamid, state minister of power energy and mineral resources, asked all power distribution companies to have an electric vehicle charging team at their companies.

While addressing a virtual programme titled "Guideline on Electric Vehicle Charging", he said "Electric vehicle is a most discussed issue in the world now. So, we need to take the necessary preparation on electric vehicle charging stations, its tariff and how this vehicle's overall information will be kept."

In a press release, referring to Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA), Power Division said that a petrol-run vehicle costs Tk5,375 to travel 1,000km while the electric one costs only Tk1,250.

However, SREDA Chairman Mohammad Alauddin told The Business Standard that it was an initial estimation and it needs more analysis.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/cabinet-approves-660-megawatt-power-plant-project-in-munshiganj-1634475204

Cabinet approves 660-megawatt power plant project in Munshiganj

Published:  October 17, 2021 18:53:24

The Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) has approved a 660-megawatt power plant project to meet the country’s ever-growing demand for electricity.

The CCGP approved eight proposals, including setting up the power plant at Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj, on Sunday at its 35th meeting of this year held virtually with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in the chair, reports BSS.

Briefing reporters virtually after the meeting, Cabinet Division Additional Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin said CCGP has approved the proposal of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) under the Power Division to build the gas or LNG-based combined cycle power plant at Meghnaghat area of the upazila which will supply the electricity to the national grid for 22 years.

He informed that consortium — Edra Power Holdings Sdn Bhd, Malaysia, and Winnievision Power Ltd, Bangladesh— placed the proposal to implement the project.

Mr. Arefin said the meeting also approved another proposal of BPDB to extend the existing contract for five years (17/03/2021 to 16/06/2026) to import 160 MW power from NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) of Tripura, India.

As per approval, he said, the tariff will be Tk 7.13852 per kilowatt hour and about Tk 41.88 billion will have to be paid in five years.

He informed that the meeting also approved the proposal of procuring 30,000 metric tons of bagged granular urea fertilizer from Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KAFCO).

The meeting also approved the proposals of 30,000 metric tons bulk granular urea fertilizer import from Muntajat, Qatar and 30,000 metric tons bulk granular urea fertilizer import from Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) through the national agreement.

He said the meeting also approved the proposal of procuring 2.0 million Novel Corona Virus RT-qPCR Diagnostic kits under three lots from Sterling Multi Technologies Ltd, Dhaka, OMC(Pvt) Ltd. Dhaka and G.S Biotech, Narayanganj with a cost of Tk 1.17 billion.

He mentioned that the CCGP also approved the proposal of procuring two bollard pool tugboats and necessary equipment and services from the Khulna Shipyard Limited with a cost of Taka 1.31 billion.

He said the committee approved the proposal for printing, binding and supply of free textbooks in five lots of Bengali and English versions for the primary level (3rd, 4th and 5th class) from Press Line Limited, Dhaka, Letter n Colour, Dhaka and Sedna Printing Press and Publications, Dhaka with a cost of Tk 80.60 million.

 

[Joel Ahmed]

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/278162/উত্তরাঞ্চলের-৭-বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের-মধ্যে-চারটিই-বন্ধ-

উত্তরাঞ্চলের ৭ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের মধ্যে চারটিই বন্ধ

বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাটে নেসকো-আরইবির গ্রাহক

আবু তাহের

অক্টোবর ২৩, ২০২১

দেশের উত্তরাঞ্চলীয় বিভাগ রংপুরে হঠাৎ করেই বেড়েছে বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাটের পরিমাণ। লোডশেডিংয়ের কারণে অসহনীয় ভোগান্তিতে পড়ছেন গ্রাহকরা। সরবরাহ সংকটের কারণে বিদ্যুৎ বিতরণে হিমশিম খাচ্ছে বিতরণ কোম্পানি নর্দান ইলেকট্রিসিটি সাপ্লাই কোম্পানি লিমিটেড (নেসকো) ও বাংলাদেশ পল্লী বিদ্যুৎ উন্নয়ন বোর্ড (বিআরইবি)। সংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, কয়লা ও ফার্নেস অয়েলের সরবরাহ কমে যাওয়ায় এ অঞ্চলের বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন কেন্দ্রগুলোতে চাহিদা অনুযায়ী উৎপাদন হচ্ছে না। অন্যদিকে সঞ্চালন অবকাঠামোর দুর্বলতার কারণে জাতীয় গ্রিড থেকে বিদ্যুৎ এনেও বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট কমানো যাচ্ছে না।

লোডশেডিং বেড়ে যাওয়ায় সাধারণ গ্রাহকদের সমস্যার পাশাপাশি শিল্প এলাকাসহ ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্পগুলোর উৎপাদন ব্যাহত হচ্ছে। দুই মাস ধরে চলমান এ সংকট নিরসনে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন ও বিতরণ কোম্পানিগুলো কাজ করলেও সংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, শিগগিরই এর সমাধান হচ্ছে না। মূলত কয়লা সংকটের কারণে বড়পুকুরিয়া বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের উৎপাদন বন্ধ ও বিশ্ববাজারে ফার্নেস অয়েলের দাম বেড়ে যাওয়ায় বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রগুলো জ্বালানি সংকটে পড়েছে। ফলে তাদের উৎপাদন কমে গেছে। যার কারণে সরবরাহ ও বিতরণে এর প্রভাব পড়েছে।

বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগের একটি সূত্র জানিয়েছে, রংপুর বিভাগের আট জেলায় দুটি বিতরণ কোম্পানির আওতায় গ্রাহক সংখ্যা ৪২ লাখ। এর মধ্যে পল্লী বিদ্যুতের গ্রাহক ৩৫ লাখ ও নেসকোর গ্রাহক সংখ্যা সাত লাখের কিছু বেশি। এসব গ্রাহকের দৈনিক বিদ্যুতের চাহিদা ৮৫০ মেগাওয়াট। সেখানে এখন সরবরাহ করা হচ্ছে ৭০০ মেগাওয়াট। ফলে প্রতিদিন ১৫০ মেগাওয়াটের মতো ঘাটতি রয়ে যাচ্ছে, যা লোডশেডিংয়ের মাধ্যমে সমন্বয় করা হচ্ছে।

রাজশাহী ও রংপুর অঞ্চলে বিদ্যুৎ সরবরাহের জন্য পিডিবির মোট সাতটি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র রয়েছে, যেগুলোর মোট উৎপাদন সক্ষমতা ৬০৫ মেগাওয়াট। এর মধ্যে তিনটি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র চালু রয়েছে, যেগুলোর মোট সক্ষমতা ২০১ মেগাওয়াট। অন্যদিকে কয়লা ও জ্বালানি তেল সংকটে ৪০০ মেগাওয়াট সক্ষমতার চারটি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র বন্ধ রয়েছে। যেগুলো চালু রয়েছে সেগুলো হলো ৮০ মেগাওয়াট সক্ষমতার কয়লাভিত্তিক তাপবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের প্রথম ইউনিট, বেসরকারি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র কনফিডেন্স পাওয়ারের ১১৩ মেগাওয়াট সক্ষমতার বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র ও পঞ্চগড়ের তেঁতুলিয়ায় অবস্থিত আট মেগাওয়াট সক্ষমতার সৌরবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র।

পিডিবির দৈনিক বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন প্রতিবেদন থেকে জানা গেছে, গত বৃহস্পতিবার দিনের বেলায় পিক আওয়ারে তিনটি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে ২০১ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদিত হয়। রাতের পিক আওয়ারে উৎপাদন হয়েছে ১৯৩ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎ। অর্থাৎ চাহিদার মূল অংশটুকুই আনতে হচ্ছে জাতীয় গ্রিড থেকে।

আরইবি ও নেসকোর বেশ কয়েকজন কর্মকর্তার সঙ্গে কথা বলে জানা গেছে, বিদ্যুৎ সরবরাহ ব্যবস্থাপনা ঠিক রাখতে জাতীয় গ্রিড থেকে বিদ্যুৎ নেয়া হচ্ছে। কিন্তু এ অঞ্চলের সঞ্চালন লাইনের দুর্বলতাসহ নানা কারণে পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে আসছে না।

এ বিষয়ে পিডিবির সদস্য (বিতরণ) শামসুল আলম বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, বড়পুকুরিয়া তাপবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের দুটি ইউনিটের উৎপাদন বন্ধ থাকায় রংপুর অঞ্চলে বিদ্যুৎ সরবরাহে সমস্যা হচ্ছে। কয়লা সংকটের কারণে মূলত এ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের বড় একটি সক্ষমতা বসে আছে। তেলভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের সমস্যা থাকলেও সেটি নিরসন হয়েছে। আশা করছি সামনে শীত মৌসুমে এ সংকট কিছুটা কমে আসবে।

উত্তরাঞ্চলে বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট দীর্ঘদিনের। শিল্প-কারখানার পরিমাণ কম বিবেচনায় উত্তরাঞ্চলে কম বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র নির্মাণ করেছে সরকার। তবে কয়েক বছর ধরেই এ অঞ্চলে ক্ষুদ্র ও মাঝারি শিল্পের বিকাশ হলেও চাহিদা অনুযায়ী বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র তৈরি করা যায়নি। আবার এ অঞ্চলের সঞ্চালন অবকাঠামোও পুরনো। ফলে বেশির ভাগ সময় জাতীয় গ্রিড থেকে বিদ্যুৎ নিয়ে সরবরাহ করা হলেও অবকাঠামোগত দুর্বলতার কারণে প্রত্যাশা অনুযায়ী বিদ্যুৎ পাননি সেখানকার গ্রাহকরা। নেসকো ও আরইবির গ্রাহকরা বলছেন, সারা দেশেই বিদ্যুৎ সমস্যা সমাধানের খবর তারা পান। কিন্তু রংপুর বিভাগের গ্রাহকরা নিরবচ্ছিন্ন বিদ্যুৎ পাননি, সেদিক থেকে তারা অবহেলিতই রয়ে গেছেন। বিদ্যুতের পিক আওয়ারে ৪ থেকে ৫ ঘণ্টা বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট হয়। বিশেষত গ্রীষ্মকালে বিদ্যুতের চাহিদা বেড়ে গেলে এ অঞ্চলের মানুষের অসহনীয় ভোগান্তি শুরু হয়।

নেসকোর ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক (এমডি) জাকিউল ইসলাম বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, উত্তরাঞ্চলে বিদ্যুৎ সরবরাহে গ্রাহক অসন্তুষ্টির সবচেয়ে বড় কারণ হচ্ছে বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট ও লো-ভোল্টেজ। প্রতিনিয়ত চাহিদার বিপরীতে ১০০-১৫০ মেগাওয়াট লোডশেড হচ্ছে। গ্রাহকরা এসব নিয়ে ক্ষুব্ধ, তবে আমরাও চেষ্টা করছি পরিস্থিতি থেকে উত্তরণের।

এ অঞ্চলের বিদ্যুৎ সমস্যা সমাধানে আরো কয়েকটি বিদ্যুৎ প্রকল্প নির্মাণ ও লো-ভোল্টেজ নিরসনে ক্যাপাসিটর ব্যাংক স্থাপনের পরিকল্পনা করছে বিদ্যুতের নীতি গবেষণা প্রতিষ্ঠান পাওয়ার সেল। সংস্থাটির মহাপরিচালক প্রকৌশলী মোহাম্মদ হোসাইন বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, এরই মধ্যে এনার্জিপ্যাক ঠাকুরগাঁও অঞ্চলে একটি বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র নির্মাণ করছে। পাশাপাশি ভোল্টেজ ড্রপ যাতে না হয়, সেজন্য ক্যাপাসিটর ব্যাংক বসানো হচ্ছে। এসব কাজ শেষ হলে বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট নিরসন হবে। তিনি আরো বলেন, উত্তরাঞ্চলে তেল পরিবহনে সমস্যা থাকায় সেখানে বড় ধরনের বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র নির্মাণ করা যাচ্ছে না। যে কারণে এসব সমস্যা সৃষ্টি হচ্ছে। তবে রূপপুরের মতো বড় বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র উৎপাদনে গেলে এ সমস্যা আর থাকবে না।

 

[Joel Ahmed]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/deal-signed-to-set-up-590-mw-power-plant-in-anwara-1635431146

Deal signed to set up 590 MW power plant in Anwara

Published:  October 28, 2021 20:25:47

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has signed a power purchase agreement with United Chattogram Power Limited (UCPL) to set up a 590 MW gas-based combined cycle power plant in Anwara upazila of Chattagram district.

According to the agreement, the UCPL, a subsidiary of United Group, has the option to operate through natural gas, if available, or through imported re-gasified liquefied natural gas (R-LNG).

The UCPL will set up the plant on 12.5-acre of land in Anwara and start commercial operation by January 28, 2026, reports UNB.

Two Japanese firms will have a 40 per cent stake in the project while United Group will hold the remaining 60 per cent, BPDB officials said.

Under the PPA, the state-owned principal entity in the power sector will purchase electricity from the plant over a period of 22 years at a tariff of US Cents 3.6867 (equivalent to Tk 2.95) per kilowatt-hour if the plant is run through natural gas.

If it uses R-LNG, the tariff will be US Cents 6.8043, equivalent to Tk 5.44) per kilowatt hour (each unit).

At a function at Biduyt Bhaban, chairman of United Group and managing director of UCPL Mainuddin Hasan Sharif and BPDB secretary Saiful Islam Azad signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides.

Power Secretary Habibur Rahman and BPDB Chairman Belayet Hossain spoke on the occasion while other senior officials of the power division, BPDB and UCPL were present at the function on Thursday.

Two more contracts—implementation agreement (IA) with Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and gas supply agreement (GSA) with Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited -- were also signed at the function.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/power-energy/2021/11/23/matarbari-coal-fired-power-project-cost-rises-by-15870c

Matarbari coal-fired power project cost rises by 15870C

 UNB

 Published at 06:13 pm November 23rd, 2021

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Tuesday cleared the first revision of Matarbari 2X600 MW Ultra Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Project, raising its cost by Tk15,870 crore.

The approval came from the weekly Ecnec meeting held virtually with Ecnec Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

The prime minister joined the meeting from her official residence Ganabhaban, while others got connected from the NEC conference room.

“The meeting approved ten development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk29,344.27 crore (only additional costs of revised projects counted),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the total cost, Tk11,003.30 crore will come from government funds while the rest of Tk18,932.04 crore from foreign sources as loans, he added.

The minister also said of the approved projects, seven are new while three are revised ones.

The cost of the Matarbari project now stands at Tk51,854.88 crore against the original amount of Tk35,984.46. 

The project deadline has been extended till December 2026 from June 2023.

Regarding the project, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said the prime minister suggested forming a development authority in Matarbari for the overall management since various development operations are being carried out there centering the coal-fired power plant.

About the additional cost involvement of Tk15,870.42 crore in the Matarbari coal-fired power plant, Planning Commission Member Sharifa Khan said the additional cost would mainly ensure deep seaport facilities there.

Around 98% of the additional cost there would be utilized for ensuring deep seaport facilities, she added.

She also mentioned there is no problem of coordination regarding implementation of the project while the power plant is expected to go into operation in 2024.

According to the project factsheet provided by the Planning Commission, the reasons behind the project’s revision include the rise of costs for the channel, jetty, land development and power plant construction alongside an increment of costs against other civil works like Turbine, Boiler, Coal & Ash Handling and Trial Run.

Besides, the costs against consultancy firm, VAT and import duty, rehabilitation and compensation, rural electrification and township construction and expansion of works are among other reasons.

Among the new projects, Ecnec approved the “Establishing Digital Connectivity” project involving Tk5,883.74 crore, aiming to transform the government services into e-services to render these easily and quickly for the people across the country.

Another objective of the project is to intensify the use of ICT by the construction of ICT infrastructure.

The big project will be implemented to establish broadband internet connectivity across eight divisions, 64 districts, all upazilas and unions and even up to village-level throughout the country by June 2025.

Of the cost, Tk2,505.16 crore will come from government funds, while the remaining Tk3378.58 crore from the Chinese government as project assistance.

 

[Joel Ahmed]

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/economy/bangladesh/two-china-funded-projects-in-slow-lane-1638585138

Two China-funded projects in slow lane

 MIR MOSTAFIZUR RAHAMAN | Published:  December 04, 2021 08:32:18

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/uploads/1638585138.jpg

Financial progress on two China-funded power- transmission projects, initiated several years ago, is less than 15 per cent now, though electricity supply in Bangladesh is far behind the generation capacity.

This was disclosed in a high-level meeting held recently in Dhaka to review the progress of several of the projects funded by China, under a huge credit line, sources told the FE.

One of the two projects is 'Expansion and strengthening of the power- transmission system under DPDC area', which was undertaken in 2017.

Till last November, the financial progress rate of the project was found only 14.87 per cent.

The loan agreement for the project was signed on July 4, 2019.

China is providing 2630 million RMB as concessional loan and 1021.77 million (over 1.0 billion) US dollars as preferential buyer's credit for the project, scheduled to be completed by 2024.

The project aims at ensuring quality power transmission without the hazards of load shedding.

About the reasons behind so slow progress an official said that officials of Hifab Oy, the international consultant for the project, have yet to visit Bangladesh, "causing severe problem in completing the drawing and designing works for the project".

The main contractor, TEBA Co, could not provide required manpower for the project due to the disruptive Covid pandemic.

The local consultant for the project, Engineering and Consultants Bangladesh, also failed to turn out necessary manpower for completing their tasks.

"As designing and drawing works are not finished, manufacturing order can not be placed to the Chinese firm.

"Besides, land acquisition for the 12 sites of the projects are yet to be completed," the review meeting was told.

Another power- transmission project titled 'Power grid network strengthening project' under PGCB sees a financial progress of only 13.20 per cent.

This one was initiated in 2016 and the loan agreement was signed on June 7, 2020.

China is providing 1930 million RMB as concessional loan and USD686.57 million as buyer's credit.

Under this project 92 power substations will be built, but, so far, land for 72 substations have been handed over to the Chinese contractor.

The goal of the project is to upgrade capacity and renovate and rehabilitate power- transmission substations in Dhaka and Mymensingh.

Land- development work is completed only for three substations, and the works is ongoing for 13 others. Soil testing is being done for another 17 substations.

The review meeting was told that though PGCB was asked to provide 370 staff members for the project, it provided only 60-- much lower than the requirement.

Another critical issue was lack of funds for the compensation to the local people who are being affected by the implementation of the project. There was no provision for compensating local people, but the meeting recommended sanction of funds in this regard as in many places local people hindered the project works.

Due to the covid pandemic the Chinese firm named 'CCCE-ETERN-FEPEC Consortium ' also could not provide necessary manpower.

The meeting decided to complete the 100-km transmission line under the Kaliakoir-Mymensingh 400KV DC line on priority basis, with a target to finish it by 2023, an official said.

[email protected]

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangla/বাংলাদেশ/আগামী-মার্চে-উৎপাদনে-যাবে-রামপাল-বিদ্যুৎ-কেন্দ্র-বিদ্যুৎ-সচিব

বাগেরহাট প্রতিনিধি

04 December, 2021, 09:35 pm

Last modified: 04 December, 2021, 09:40 pm

আগামী মার্চে উৎপাদনে যাবে রামপাল বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র: বিদ্যুৎ সচিব

আগামী বছরের মার্চ থেকে রামপাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র উৎপাদনে যাবে বলে জানিয়েছেন বিদ্যুৎ সচিব মো. হাবিবুর রহমান।

শনিবার রামপাল বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র পরিদর্শ শেষে কাজের অগ্রগতি সম্পর্কে সাংবাদিকদের এ তথ্য জানান তিনি।

বিদ্যুৎ সচিব বলেন, "খুব শীঘ্রই রামপাল পাওয়ার প্ল্যান্ট বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদানে যাবে। আমরা আশা করছি আগামী মার্চ মাসেই এটি সম্ভব হবে।"

তিনি বলেন, "বৈশ্বিক মহামারি করোনা পরিস্থিতির মধ্যেও রামপাল পাওয়ার প্ল্যান্টের নির্মাণ কাজ থেমে থাকেনি। দুই দেশের বন্ধুত্বের নিদর্শন এবং প্রধানমন্ত্রী শেখ হাসিনার অগ্রাধিকারভিত্তিক প্রকল্প হিসেবে রামপাল পাওয়ার প্ল্যান্টের সার্বিক কর্মকাণ্ড এগিয়ে চলছে। আশা করি খুব শীঘ্রই এই বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন শুরু হবে।"

এসময় বাংলাদেশ-ইন্ডিয়া ফ্রেন্ডশিপ পাওয়ার কোম্পানী (প্রাঃ) লিমিটেড (বিআইএফপিসিএল) এর ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক প্রকৌশলী কাজী আবসার উদ্দিন আহমেদ, বিদ্যুত বিভাগের অতিরিক্ত সচিব মু. মোহসিন চৌধুরী, অতিরিক্ত সচিব এ.টি.এম মোস্তফা কামাল, বাংলাদেশ বিদ্যুত উন্নয়ন বোর্ডের চেয়ারম্যান মোঃ বেলায়েত হোসেন, সদস্য মো. মাহবুবুর রহমান, পিজিসিবি লিমিডেট এর ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক গোলাম কিবরিয়াসহ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের উর্ধ্বতন কর্মকর্তা-কর্মচারীরা উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/world/south-asia/bangladesh-renews-power-sharing-pact-tripura-338845#.Yaw4i5eRn_g.facebook

TBS Report

05 December, 2021, 09:20 am

Last modified: 05 December, 2021, 09:56 am

Bangladesh renews power-sharing pact with Tripura

The agreement expired on March 16 this year

 

TSCEL has renewed its power-sharing agreement with Bangladesh. Photo: ANI

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has renewed its agreement with Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSCEL) on 2 December.

The announcement made on Saturday stated that the agreement will continue till March 2026, reports ANI.

"The Government of India (GoI) and the People's Republic of Bangladesh (GoB), by a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) made on January 11, 2010 had, inter-alia, agreed for power trading between Bangladesh and India at a mutually agreed price and procedure. NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited (NVVN) was designated as 'Nodal Agency' by the Ministry of Power, GoI for cross border trading of power with Bangladesh from Tripura State Electricity Corporation Limited (TSECL). Initially, the agreement was signed among the parties namely TSECL, NVVN and BPDB (Bangladesh Power Development Board) for a quantum of 100 MW of power in March 2016 which was subsequently extended to 160 MW," reads the release from TSCEL.

The agreement expired on March 16 this year.

During the 19th Joint Working Group/ Joint Steering Committee meetings on Indo-Bangladesh Co-operation in Power Sector between Bangladesh and India held on January 23 this year at Dhaka, Bangladesh, it was decided that 'the contract may be extended provided the tariff, terms and conditions, tenure and quantum of power are acceptable to both the parties."

"Accordingly, under the guidance of Jishnu Dev Varma, Deputy Chief Minister of Tripura; Kiran Gitte, IAS, the then Secretary (Power), Government of Tripura and Dr M. S. Kele, Managing Director, TSECL negotiated with the Bangladesh counterpart and finalize the modified terms and conditions of the agreement for a period of another five years w.e.f. March 17, 2021 to March 16, 2026 after four meetings among the stakeholders. Dr. M. S. Kele, MD, TSECL and Praveen Saxena, CEO, NVVN represented India and Secretary (Power), GoB and Director, BPDB represented Bangladesh and signed this tripartite supplementary agreement on December 2, 2021 in Bangladesh. As per the modified terms and conditions of the agreement, TSECL will supply 160 MW+ 20 per cent (i.e. maximum 192 MW) to Bangladesh instead of earlier 160MW," the release added.

The tariff for this supply for the 1st Contract year shall be INR6.27/kWh and trading margin to NVVN will be Ps 01/kWh w.e.f March 17, 2021 with a fixed year on year escalation of 2 per cent per year. This Supplementary Agreement shall be an integral part of the earlier Power Sale Agreement which was executed on March 18, 2016. The agreement can further be extended on mutually agreed terms and conditions in future.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/282598/কয়লাভিত্তিক-কেন্দ্র-নিয়ে-বিদ্যুৎ-বিভাগের-উচ্চাশা-

আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহার

কয়লাভিত্তিক কেন্দ্র নিয়ে বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগের উচ্চাশা

জেসমিন মলি

ডিসেম্বর ০৭, ২০২১

একবিংশ শতাব্দীর শুরুর দিকে আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল টেকনোলজির ব্যবহার প্রথম শুরু হয়। এ প্রযুক্তিতে পটুয়াখালীর কলাপাড়া উপজেলায় পায়রা ১ হাজার ৩২০ মেগাওয়াট কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র নির্মাণ এবং তা থেকে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন শুরু করেছে বাংলাদেশ। বিশ্বের ১৩তম দেশ হিসেবে বাংলাদেশ এ ধরনের প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহার করছে। এটিকে একটি জাতীয় অর্জন হিসেবেই দেখছে বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগ। সম্প্রতি বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদ মন্ত্রণালয় সম্পর্কিত সংসদীয় কমিটিতে দেয়া এক প্রতিবেদনে এসব তথ্য উল্লেখ করা হয়েছে।

সংসদীয় কমিটি সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল ও আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল পাওয়ারের ওপর বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগের একটি প্রতিবেদন দিতে সুপারিশ করে। এর পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে সংসদীয় কমিটিতে প্রতিবেদনটি উপস্থাপন করা হয়।

প্রতিবেদনে বলা হয়, সাধারণত কয়লা, প্রাকৃতিক গ্যাস, ফার্নেস অয়েল প্রভৃতি ব্যবহার করে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন করা হয়। এর মধ্যে জ্বালানির সহজলভ্যতা ও খরচ বিবেচনায় কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র বিশ্বব্যাপী সবচেয়ে জনপ্রিয় এবং পৃথিবীর এক-তৃতীয়াংশেরও বেশি বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের মাধ্যমে হয়।

কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রে প্রথমে বয়লার ফার্নেসে কয়লা পুড়িয়ে উচ্চতাপমাত্রার স্টিম (বাষ্প) উৎপাদন করা হয়। স্টিম টারবাইনের মধ্য দিয়ে নিয়ন্ত্রিত উচ্চচাপে চালনা করে জেনারেটর ঘুরিয়ে বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন করা হয়। কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রে বিভিন্ন ধরনের প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহার করা হয়। এর মধ্যে রয়েছে সাব-ক্রিটিক্যাল, সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল ও আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল প্রযুক্তি। প্রতিবেদনে বলা হয়, কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রে ব্যবহূত বিভিন্ন প্রযুক্তির মধ্যে সাব-ক্রিটিক্যাল প্রযুক্তি অপেক্ষাকৃত প্রাচীন, যা স্বল্প কর্মদক্ষতার এবং তুলনামূলকভাবে অধিক কার্বন নিঃসরণ করে। এ কারণে বর্তমানে বিশ্বের বেশির ভাগ দেশই এ প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহার থেকে সরে আসছে এবং সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল ও আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল প্রযুক্তি ব্যবহারের দিকে ঝুঁকছে। যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে ১৯৫০ সালে প্রথম সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল প্রযুক্তির স্টিম জেনারেটর ব্যবহার করে কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র নির্মাণ করা হয়, যার কমিশনিং শুরু হয় ১৯৫৭ সালে। এ প্রযুক্তি জনপ্রিয় হয় বিংশ শতাব্দীর শেষ দিকে বলে প্রতিবেদনে উল্লেখ করা হয়। আর কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রে ব্যবহূত সর্বাধুনিক প্রযুক্তি হচ্ছে আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল টেকনোলজি। এ প্রযুক্তি বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের কর্মদক্ষতা ৪৩ থেকে ৪৭ দশমিক ৫ শতাংশ পর্যন্ত বাড়ে এবং কার্বন নিঃসরণের হারও সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল প্রযুক্তির চেয়ে ২-৩ শতাংশ কমে। প্রতিবেদনে প্রযুক্তিটিকে অত্যন্ত পরিবেশবান্ধব হিসেবে উল্লেখ করে বলা হয়, এ প্রযুক্তিতে কম কয়লা পুড়িয়ে অধিক বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন করা যায়।

বর্তমানে নির্মাণাধীন কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের বাস্তবায়ন অগ্রগতিও সংসদীয় কমিটিতে উপস্থাপিত প্রতিবেদনে তুলে ধরা হয়েছে। প্রতিবেদনের তথ্য অনুযায়ী আরপিসিএল-নরিনকো ইন্টারন্যাশনাল পাওয়ার লিমিটেডের বাস্তবায়নাধীন পুটয়াখালীর ১ হাজার ৩২০ মেগাওয়াট আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র প্রকল্পের ভৌত অগ্রগতি প্রায় ৩৫ দশমিক ৫৬ শতাংশ এবং আর্থিক অগ্রগতি ২৭ শতাংশ।

বাংলাদেশ-চায়না পাওয়ার কোম্পানি লিমিটেডের (বিসিপিসিএল) বাস্তবায়নাধীন পায়রা ১ হাজার ৩২০ মেগাওয়াট (ফেজ-২) আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র প্রকল্পটি ২০২৩ সালের ডিসেম্বরে বাণিজ্যিক উৎপাদন শুরু করবে। প্রকল্পটির সামগ্রিক ইপিসি কাজের অগ্রগতি ২০ শতাংশ।

কোল পাওয়ার জেনারেশন কোম্পানি বাংলাদেশ লিমিটেডের (সিপিজিসিএল) বাস্তবায়নাধীন মাতারবাড়ী ১ হাজার ২০০ মেগাওয়াট আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র প্রকল্পটির প্রথম ইউনিট ২০২৪ সালের জানুয়ারিতে এবং দ্বিতীয় ইউনিট একই বছরের জুলাইয়ে বাণিজ্যিক উৎপাদনে আসবে বলে প্রতিবেদনে বলা হয়েছে। প্রকল্পটির ভৌত অগ্রগতি প্রায় ৪৫ দশমিক ৫০ শতাংশ এবং আর্থিক অগ্রগতি ৪৮ শতাংশ।

বাংলাদেশ-ভারত ফ্রেন্ডশিপ পাওয়ার কোম্পানি লিমিটেডের (বিআইএফপিসিএল) বাগেরহাটের রামপালে বাস্তবায়নাধীন মৈত্রী ১ হাজার ৩২০ মেগাওয়াট সুপার থারমাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র প্রকল্পের ভৌত অগ্রগতি প্রায় ৬৮ দশমিক ৮৫ শতাংশ এবং আর্থিক অগ্রগতি ৬৯ দশমিক ২০ শতাংশ।

বেসরকারি খাতের এসএস পাওয়ার লিমিটেডের বাস্তবায়নাধীন বাঁশখালী ১ হাজার ২২৪ মেগাওয়াট সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র প্রকল্পটির কাজের সার্বিক অগ্রগতি প্রায় ৮০ শতাংশ।

এছাড়া ভারতে আদানি পাওয়ার (ঝাড়খন্ড) লিমিটেডের বাস্তবায়নাধীন আদানি ১ হাজার ৪৯৬ মেগাওয়াট আল্ট্রা সুপার ক্রিটিক্যাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র প্রকল্পটির প্রথম ইউনিট আগামী বছরের জানুয়ারিতে এবং দ্বিতীয় ইউনিট আগামী বছরের মে মাসে বাণিজ্যিকভাবে উৎপাদনে যাবে। প্রকল্পটির কাজের সার্বিক অগ্রগতি প্রায় ৭৪ দশমিক ৭৬ শতাংশ। এ বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র থেকে উৎপাদিত বিদ্যুৎ ডেডিকেটেড ট্রান্সমিশন লাইনের মাধ্যমে বাংলাদেশে সরবরাহ করা হবে।

সংশ্লিষ্টরা বলছেন, জ্বালানি পণ্যগুলোর মধ্যে পরিবেশে সবচেয়ে বেশি দূষণ ঘটায় কয়লা। এ কারণে বিশ্বব্যাপী এখন কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের বিরুদ্ধে বেশ সোচ্চার আওয়াজ উঠেছে। প্রতিবেশী ভারতসহ অনেক দেশই এখন বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদনে কয়লানির্ভরতা কমাচ্ছে। একই কথা প্রযোজ্য কয়লার বৃহত্তম ভোক্তা দেশ চীনের ক্ষেত্রেও।

দেশে কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র নির্মাণ পরিকল্পনার শুরু থেকেই পরিবেশবাদীরা এর বিরোধিতা করে আসছিলেন। বৈশ্বিকভাবেও কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদন থেকে এরই মধ্যে সরে এসেছে অনেক দেশ। বাংলাদেশের ওপরও এ বিষয়ে আন্তর্জাতিক চাপ বাড়ছে। যদিও পরিবেশের সুরক্ষা নিশ্চিত করে এসব বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র নির্মাণ করা হচ্ছে বলে সরকারের দাবি।

সম্প্রতি ঢাকা সফরকালে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রের সাবেক পররাষ্ট্রমন্ত্রী জন কেরি রামপাল কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্র নির্মাণের বিষয়ে আপত্তি জানিয়েছেন। অন্যদিকে ইউনেস্কোও ২০১৮ সাল থেকে রামপাল প্রকল্প নিয়ে আপত্তি জানিয়ে আসছে।

জ্বালানি বিশেষজ্ঞ ও ঢাকা বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়ের ভূতত্ত্ব বিভাগের অধ্যাপক বদরূল ইমাম বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, দেশে এত বেশি কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের কোনো প্রয়োজন নেই। আমাদের এখনো বিদ্যুৎ উৎপাদনের সক্ষমতা বেশি, বিদ্যুৎ আমদানিও করছি। ফলে পরিবেশের ক্ষতি করে এমন প্রকল্প থেকে এখন বেরিয়ে আসতে হবে। উন্নত বিশ্ব কয়লা থেকে সরে আসছে। আমাদেরও বিকল্প উপায় থাকলে বেরিয়ে আসতে হবে।

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/construction-150mw-power-plant-starts-gazipur-340210#.Ya99VkecLpE.facebook

TBS Report

07 December, 2021, 09:20 pm

Last modified: 07 December, 2021, 09:26 pm

Construction of 150MW power plant starts in Gazipur

Max Infrastructure Limited will construct the power plant under the management of BR Powergen

 

The foundation stone laying ceremony of a 150MW power plant was held at Sreepur upazila in Gazipur on Tuesday.

Max Infrastructure Limited, a sister concern of Max Group, will construct the power plant under the management of BR Powergen.

Muhammad Iqbal Hossain Sabuj, the lawmaker from Gazipur-3 constituency, laid the foundation stone of the proposed BR Power Plant.

Engineer Ghulam Mohammad Alamgir, chairman of Max Group, was present as the special guest at the inaugural ceremony presided over by Mohammad Fakhruzzaman, managing director of BR Powergen.

Engineer Alamgir said Max Group has been working tirelessly for the development of the country all the time. The construction of the power plant will be completed within the next 15 months. Max Infrastructure Limited is in overall charge of the project (EPC).

The duration of the project is 20 years. The proposed BR power Plant has received environmental clearance. BR Powergen has appointed Max Infrastructure to design and construct the power plant as per government policy.

Iqbal Hossain Sabuj said that if the project is implemented, the long-standing demand for electricity in the Boromi union will be met and the electricity generated from here will be supplied to the national grid.

[Joel Ahmed]

World Bank lends $500m to modernise power system in Bangladesh

 FE ONLINE REPORT | Published:  December 22, 2021 16:02:50 | Updated:  December 22, 2021 20:18:38

The World Bank has approved US$500 million to help Bangladesh expand and modernise the electricity distribution system and support the sustainable transformation of its electricity system.

The ‘Electricity Distribution Modernization Program’ will deliver improved electricity services to about 40 million people in Dhaka and Mymensingh Division, said a media release on Wednesday.

The lend, approved on Tuesday, will upgrade and construct more than 31,000 km of distribution lines, 157 distribution substations, and related infrastructure, and incorporate measures to increase climate resilience of network infrastructure in 25 rural electric cooperatives (Palli Bidyut Samities) in Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board, said the release.

Network investment will be paired with new and advanced technologies to help modernising and transform the electricity system, it added.

“In the last decade, Bangladesh achieved a more than fourfold increase in electricity generation capacity and delivered electricity connections to more than 99 per cent of its population. But the electricity distribution network could not keep pace with the remarkable increase in electricity generation,” said Dandan Chen, World Bank Acting Country Director for Bangladesh.

“This programme will help modernise and ensure climate resilience of the distribution network, which is the backbone of a secure and reliable power system,” the official added.

The programme will introduce a modern grid system that can support the two-way flow of electricity and information, minimising and recovering quickly from climate and cyber risks, including natural disasters and extreme weather events.

It will introduce state-of-art technologies such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System and install Advanced Metering Infrastructure.

It will support the decarbonisation of the power sector by facilitating the integration of renewable energy and Battery Energy Storage Systems in the electricity distribution network. All these will lead to a sustainable transformation of the electricity system.

“Since 2009, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) has implemented one of the largest rural electrification programmes in the world, delivering access to more than 90 million people,” said Bipul Singh, a senior energy specialist of the World Bank and task team leader of the programme.

“With the access agenda nearing completion, this programme will strengthen BREB’s ability to deliver reliable electricity supply and support the energy transition in Bangladesh.”

The credit is from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), which provides concessional financing, has a 30-year term, including a five-year grace period. In addition, the programme also includes a $15 million grant from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF), the media release mentioned.

Including this programme, the World Bank has over $1.8 billion ongoing support in Bangladesh’s energy sector, covering generation, transmission, and distribution of power, including from renewable energy sources. Since 1981, the World Bank has partnered with BREB to support the government’s electrification and access programmes.

Bangladesh currently has the largest ongoing IDA programme totalling over $14 billion in support. The World Bank was among the first development partners to support Bangladesh and has committed more than $35 billion in grants, interest-free and concessional credits to the country since its Independence.

[email protected]

[Joel Ahmed]

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/first-page/now-66pc-increase-in-power-price-proposed-1643133074

Now 66pc increase in power price proposed

BPDB move comes hot on the heels of planned doubling of gas rates

 M AZIZUR RAHMAN |  January 26, 2022 00:00:00

Now power board seeks to raise bulk electricity tariffs around 66 per cent, hot on the heels of proposed doubling of gas rates at this trying time, sources say.

The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has submitted its proposal to Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) for hike, or upward adjustment, of the tariffs with retrospective effect from January 1, 2022.

State-run electricity-marketing and distribution companies would have to purchase bulk electricity at higher rates if the tariffs are raised.

In a knock-on effect, they might also seek to increase retail-level electricity rates to earn additional revenues from the end-users to make up for the purchase of electricity from the BPDB at the increased bulk rates, they say.

BPDB, the lone buyer of electricity from power plants, argues that its weighted average electricity supply cost would be Tk 8.58 per unit (1 kilowatt-hour) in 2022 compared to Tk 5.64 of 2021 due to increased cost in electricity purchase from power plants coupled with spike in fuel costs, including petroleum products, coal and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

"Withdrawal of tax waiver on the import of furnace oil since June 2020 and the slapping of 5.0-per cent value-added tax (VAT) on coal imports since July 2019 have also pushed up the overall electricity-supply cost," it points out in placing the hike plea.

It wants further hike by Tk 0.56 per unit to Tk 9.14 per unit if the natural gas tariff is hiked by 100 per cent and Tk 0.69 per unit to Tk 9.27 per unit if the gas price is hiked by 125 per cent.

The gas companies last week sought to more than double the natural gas tariffs for all sorts of consumers citing the import of expensive LNG from the international market.

They have submitted proposals separately to the BERC to raise the weighted average natural gas price by 117.41 per cent to Tk 20.35 per cubic metre from existing Tk 9.36 per cubic metre.

BPDB's existing average wholesale electricity sale price is Tk 5.17 per unit, which was raised to the current level following an 8.40-per cent, or Tk 0.40, hike in February 2020.

It has argued that it will have revenue shortfall of around Tk 325 billion in 2022 if the rates were not raised.

The state-run power board will have revenue requirement of around Tk 745 billion on account of electricity purchase and generation in total in the current calendar year, the BPDB argues.

The commission previously hiked the bulk tariffs of electricity by 118.14 per cent to 5.17 per unit from Tk 2.37 per unit in eight phases, between March 2011 and February 2020, citing rising electricity- generation costs.

The BERC raised retail-level electricity tariffs in February 2020 in the latest by 5.3 per cent, or Tk 0.36 to Tk 7.13 per unit from previous Tk 6.77 per unit.

With the latest hike two years back, the commission raised retail-level electricity tariffs by 89.62 per cent from Tk 3.76 per unit, in nine phases, between March 2010 and February 2020.

Currently, residential consumers who consume electricity within the range of 0-50 units pay Tk 3.75 per unit, while consumers of up to 75 units pay Tk 4.19 per unit, consumers of 76-200 units pay at Tk 5.72 per unit, 201-300 units users pay Tk 6.00 per unit, 301-400 units users pay Tk 6.34 per unit, 401-600 unit users pay Tk 9.94 per unit, and users above 600 units pay Tk 11.46 per unit.

[email protected]

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/banshkhali-power-plant-begin-production-december-says-chinese-envoy-431930

TBS Report

02 June, 2022, 08:20 pm

Last modified: 02 June, 2022, 08:22 pm

Banshkhali power plant to begin production in December, says Chinese envoy

 

The Banshkhali power plant —SS Power 1— in Chattogram is expected to go into production by the end of this year, Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, Li Jiming, said on Thursday.

Visiting the under-construction coal-fired power plant, he said 95% of the project's construction is complete.

"The remaining work will be finished by December of this year and it will begin production from that month," the Chinese envoy said.

The 1320MW power plant near the Bay of Bengal is one of the most significant joint ventures between Bangladesh and China, with the S Alam Group holding 70% of ownership. It is one of the largest coal-fired power plants in the country.

National and international environmental activists have warned that the power plant will cause massive harm to the environment due to its use of coal.

However, Li Jiming claimed, "Despite it being a coal-fired power plant, there is no fear of environmental pollution due to supercritical technology."

He said, "This technology can produce more power with less coal. Many countries across the globe are using this technology to build coal-fired plants."

Echoing Jiming, the project's Deputy General Manager (Mechanical) Ashraf Uddin said the plant is being equipped with an electrostatic precipitator and flue gas desulfurisation, which will help with reducing pollution.

Md Faizur Rahman, site project manager of the power plant, confirmed that the project is progressing at a fast pace.

He put the progress on the engineering side at 99.89%, procurement progress at 98.76%, and construction progress at 92.22%.

According to sources, the SS Power 1 power plant will run on imported coal, most of which will be bought from Indonesia, but if necessary, coal will be imported from Australia. A large jetty has been built on the adjacent beach to unload coal.

The power plant is being built on 606 acres of land in the Gandamara union of Banshkhali since 2015. It will generate electricity in two units, each with a capacity of 660 MW. 198 power line poles have been installed for the transmission line from Banshkhali to Madunaghat in Chattogram to supply the electricity generated. 

[Joel Ahmed]

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/last-page/meghnaghat-plant-may-miss-deadline-1654364745

Meghnaghat plant may miss deadline

Expert fears a cost escalation in case of a delay in completion of the 718MW LNG-fired power plant

 SAJIBUR RAHMAN |  June 05, 2022 00:00:00

Work on the Meghnaghat 718-megawatt gas-fired combined cycle power plant, operated by India's Reliance Power Ltd, may miss the completion deadline, thus indicating a delay in going into full-fledged operation within the stipulated timeline.

Reliance Bangladesh LNG & Power Limited (RBLPL), a joint venture, is setting up the gas-based facility at Meghnaghat village under Sonargaon upazila (sub-district) in Narayanganj.

The project has been programmed for completion by August this year.

The progress in construction stands at 69 per cent as against the targeted 77.3 per cent until March 2022 reveals the latest monitoring report released by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The report was unveiled in May 2022.

The project is sited approximately 45 km off Dhaka airport, near the Meghna Road Bridge on the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and is around 2.0 km west from Dhaka-Chattogram highway.

With regard to engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning in the project, the overall progress was delayed against the planned progress as of March 2022, unveils the ADB report.

The overall progress of nearly 82.4 per cent was achieved by the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor as against the planned progress of 85.6 per cent, it cites.

Progress in engineering work is now 98.6 per cent as against the planned 99.2 per cent while the procurement progress is reported at 98.7 per cent as against the targeted 99.8 per cent.

There is a delay of around 3.2 per cent of the project mainly due to delay in delivery of the Steam Turbine component at site, it also reveals.

The report was prepared by TRACTEBEL ENGINEERING Pvt Ltd (TEPL) for RBLPL and the ADB. The TEPL has been appointed as the financiers' environmental and social adviser for the project.

Dr Shamsul Hoque, an infrastructure project specialist and a professor of BUET, fears that the project cost may rise automatically if the work of the LNG power plant gets lingered.

The government will act prudently and instantly to remove the expected delay and to save the public fund, he told The Financial Express.

The environmental and social monitoring progress reporting is done as an integral part of the planning and execution of the construction phase for the review period from January 01 to March 31, 2022. The project completion timeline is estimated to be 26 months from the date of NTP (Notice to Proceed), which was January 27, 2021. The project has been programmed for completion by August 2022.

The natural gas required for the project will be supplied by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution (Titas), a subsidiary of Petrobangla, from the nearby upcoming City Gate Station.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will purchase power from the plant for 22 years at a levelised tariff rate of 7.312 US cents (BDT or Tk 5.85) per kilowatt-hour with 82-per cent plant factor and 12-per cent discount factor as per the power purchase agreement.

In September 2019, Reliance Bangladesh signed four agreements with the Bangladesh government to build, own and operate the power plant in the area. The company inked a total of four agreements with different entities of the government to implement the project.

Of the agreements, the Power Division signed the implementation pact while state-owned BPDB made the power purchase agreement and land lease agreement and Petrobangla, state-owned national oil company, signed the gas supply agreement.

[email protected]

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/infrastructure/bangladesh-will-pay-enough-build-3-padma-bridges-capacity-payment-adani

Eyamin Sajid

07 June, 2022, 11:00 pm

Last modified: 08 June, 2022, 12:37 am

Bangladesh will pay enough to build 3 Padma bridges as capacity payment to Adani

 

Three Padma Bridges, nine Karnaphuli River Tunnels or four metro rails: that is how many mega infrastructures Bangladesh can build with the money it is paying to the Indian Adani Group as capacity payment under a power purchase agreement (PPA).

Bangladesh will pay around $11.01 billion for importing 1,496 megawatts (MW) of electricity from Adani Godda 1,600 MW Thermal Power Plant over its 25 years of lifetime revealed a report co-published by the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) and Indian Growthwatch.

"The amount for the capacity charge is nine times higher than the budget of Karnaphuli River Tunnel and more than four times than the Dhaka Metro Rail," said Hasan Mehedi, an author of the report and member secretary of the BWGED.

Since 2010-2011, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has paid around $8.54 billion as capacity charges to independent power producers (IIPs) and rental and quick rental power plants owners.

"This power plant will be a huge burden on the Bangladesh economy. It doesn't make any sense to import coal power from India when Bangladesh is experiencing around 60% overcapacity now," Mehedi said.

On 2 June, at a citizen discussion held at the National Press Club, State Minister of Power Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, however, claimed that the country does not have overcapacity in electricity. 

He said apart from captive power, the total installed capacity of power is around 21,000MW. But the capacity stands at 16,000 MW to 17,000MW if 10% for derated capacity and 10% for scheduled maintenance is excluded, whereas the current demand is around 14000MW.

Instead, we see capacity shortage if we consider 20% standby reserve margin. 

The BPDB signed an agreement with Adani Group in November 2017 to offtake 1,496 MW power from its Godda Coal Power Plant under the cross-border electricity trade arrangement.

As per the agreement, the BPDB agreed to pay $0.038 or Tk3.26 per (kilowatt hour) kWh as capacity charge, higher than any other power plant in Bangladesh.

As per the report estimates, the cost of electricity from the Godda power plant will be at least tk9.09 per kWh, which is 56% higher than other imported electricity and 196% higher than solar power in India.

According to the BWGED and Growthwatch's report, the Adani Group may take $423.29 million as capacity charge per year, but the money will not benefit the Bangladeshi people.

In addition to that, the cost of electricity from the Godda Adani Group will increase by 5.5% per year, while the cost of solar power will be decreasing at a yearly rate of 10%.

At present, Bangladesh imports 1,160MW electricity from India through cross-border electricity trade agreements. 

The first unit of 1600 MW is scheduled to start commercial operation by this July while the second unit will come online by December this year.

But the corresponding transmission line from Indo-Bangla border to Bangladeshi national grid has not been prepared yet.

Sources at the BPDB said that Bangladesh won't be able to receive the electricity until December this year.

Even if the transmission line were built by December 2022 according to the plan, Bangladesh will have to pay $141.10 million of capacity charges in four months only.

Md Mizanur Rahman Sarkar, project director at Rahanpur to Monakasha Border 400kV Transmission Line, told The Business Standard, "The physical work of the Bangladesh part of the project is almost completed. But transmission line in the Indian side has yet not been completed."  

Sarkar, however, said that the power evacuation would be started within five to six months. 

For evacuating electricity from the plant, 134 km (30km in Bangladesh side and 104km in Indian side) transmission line construction project was taken by both countries.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/foreign-affairs/2022/06/22/nasrul-japan-pulls-out-of-matarbari-2-plant-after-consulting-bangladesh

Nasrul: Japan pulls out of Matarbari-2 plant after consulting Bangladesh

To cut its carbon footprint, the Japanese government made the decision a year ago following a discussion with the Bangladesh government, says the minister

 

UNB

June 22, 2022 9:26 PM

Japan backtracked from funding the Matarbari-2 coal-fired power plant after consulting Bangladesh, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said.

“To cut its carbon footprint, the Japanese government made the decision a year ago following a discussion with the Bangladesh government,” he told UNB on Wednesday.

The Bangladesh government had already decided to develop an LNG-based power plant instead of a coal-fired one at the site of Matarbari-2, the state minister said.

The remaining part of the project area will be used for developing a solar power plant, he added.

Bangladesh already cancelled 10 coal-fired power plants of more than 8,000MW as part of its global climate change commitment, Nasrul said.

The country is implementing the 1,200MW Matarbari-1 coal-fired power plant in Maheshkhali with the Japanese government’s financial support.

The first unit (600 MW) of the plant is scheduled to come into operation in 2024.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.dhakatribune.com/power-energy/2022/07/02/rampal-power-plant-set-for-december-launch#cb=

Rampal power plant set for December launch

India’s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has been awarded the contract for the Tk160 billion project

File of Rampal Power Plant Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune

Shohel Mamun

July 2, 2022 7:16 PM

Construction of the first unit of the Rampal coal-fired power plant, located 14km away from the Sundarbans, is almost complete and the plant is expected to be inaugurated in December this year.

“We expect Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to inaugurate the Rampal Power Plant at the time,” said Md Habibur Rahman, secretary of the Power Division.

The 1,320-megawatt (660*2) power plant is being implemented by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company Ltd (BIFPCL). India’s Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has been awarded the contract for the Tk160 billion project.

According to a progress report, commercial production of the power plant is commissioned to start in October following a trial run to be held in September.

“As per the latest plan, the plant can start generating electricity at the end of October, or by November at the latest. Officially, the launch is in December,” said Habibur Rahman.

In 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and India’s NTPC for the implementation of the Rampal Power Plant Project.

According to the MoU, Rampal was supposed to begin production in 2018. However, the deadline was extended several times for various reasons, including the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to project officials, construction of the project is now progressing at a fast pace. As much as 83% of the project work has been completed and the first unit is almost ready for trial production.

“Physical construction of unit-1 is done and trial production can begin soon,” said a high official of the project.

“Electricity supply to the national grid will be possible by November,” he added.

“If there is no crisis, the second unit is expected to begin production in February 2023,” he said.

Electricity will be supplied to Khulna, Dhaka

According to officials, the electricity generated at the Rampal Coal Power Plant will be supplied to Khulna through the Gopalganj transmission line. Later, when power generation begins in the second unit, electricity will be supplied to Dhaka across the Padma River.

Rampal’s power plant will be connected to Dhaka through a 400 kV transmission line which is under construction from Gopalganj to Aminbazar.

Regarding the transmission line, a high official said it is expected to be completed by February next year. Then the government can begin to supply electricity from Payra and Rampal power plants to Dhaka once the transmission line across the Padma River is complete.

“It was not possible to keep pace in the construction of the transmission line due to Covid-19. Now the construction work is progressing quite fast,” he added.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/india-pulls-out-loc-funding-part-rooppur-power-transmission-work-452018

Eyamin Sajid

03 July, 2022, 02:15 pm

Last modified: 03 July, 2022, 02:56 pm

India pulls out of LoC funding for part of Rooppur power transmission work

Bangladesh now looks for alternative finance

India has withdrawn its line of credit (LoC) funding for a portion of a project that it has been entrusted with to build power transmission infrastructure for evacuating electricity from the country's maiden Nuclear Power Plant at Rooppur in Pabna.

Under the package-6 the project titled "Construction of Power Evacuation Facilities of Rooppur Nuclear Plant", a 20-kilometre crossing over Jamuna and Padma rivers was supposed to be implemented by an Indian contractor with LoC finance.

But the neighbouring country has now delisted the package from the LoC-3 as the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh  (PGCB) has failed to comply with funding conditions for it.

QM Shafiqul Islam, project director at the PGCB, told The Business Standard, "India has backtracked on LoC funding for the portion of the project even after an Indian contractor has been selected through an open bidding as tender conditions do not match with their financing conditions."

Earlier, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh floated an international tender for implementing the package-6 as Indian contractors shortlisted by Exim Bank of India made much higher price proposals than the estimated cost for the work.

The power grid company is looking for an alternative source of financing to implement the work. 

Md Yeakub Elahi Chowdhury, executive (Director Planning & Development and Finance) at PGCB, told TBS, "We are looking for alternative finance to implement the project. And, we have processed further to select a contractor for the package," he said. 

The country's first nuclear power plant at Ishwardi in Pabna will have two units – each having 1,200 megawatts of capacity – and the first unit is scheduled to be ready by the first half of 2023.

To evacuate the electricity from this power plant,  the PGCB took up the project that includes five integrated packages of different transmission lines – 464km 400kV transmission lines including 13km river crossing, 205km 230kV transmission Lines including 7km river crossing, 400 kV four bay extensions, 230 kV five bay extensions and the frequency control and frequency drop protection, protection system, emergency control system and other associated tasks for qualitative upgradation of Bangladesh Power System.

From this scope of work, the PGCB separated the river-crossing work to package-6 due to some complexities. 

For implementing the project, the government inked a $1.06 billion loan agreement under LoC-3 with India in 2017 and India conditioned Bangladesh to award the contracts only to Indian firms. 

Appointment of Contractors for the other packages has already been completed and work on landlines is running. 

The project was scheduled to end within 2022 to transmit power from the 1,200MW RNPP Unit-1, which is expected to be ready by the first half of 2023.

But the power evaluation from the nuclear plant in the stipulated time has become uncertain as the contractor appointment for the package-6, which is a critical component of the transmission line, has not been done yet. 

MdYeakubElahi Chowdhury, however, said they are doing everything to construct the transmission line within the given time. 

"If foreign finance is not found, we will implement the component with our local fund," he also said. 

The estimated cost of this part is around Tk4, 000 crore, said PGCB sources.