CHATTOGRAM, Mar 31: Chattogram region is regularly facing a load- shedding from 50 to 150 MW.
According to Power Development Board (PDB), the regular demand of power in Chattogram is varying from 1050 MW to 1100 MW.
But currently, Chattogram is witnessing a load- shedding of 150 MW daily.
When contacted Rezaul Karin Chief Engineer of Chattogram at 4.45 pm on Sunday, said that just now the authorities declared to withdrawal of load- shedding in entire Chattogram Zone.
But it may continue for few hours. After the Iftar, load- shedding may again vex the region.
Meanwhile a total of 26 power plants with the installed capacity of generation at 4400 MW in Chattogram Zone are now generating nearly 2000 MW on Sunday, according to PDB sources. Of them three gas fired power plants with installed capacity of 570 MW have remained suspended due to shortage of gas.
The two units of Chattogram Thermal power plant at Raojan with the installed capacity of 420 MW remained suspended for a long time for both shortage of gas and mechanical problems.
Besides, first and second units of Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project with the generation capacity of 1200 MW have been generating over 900 MW on Sunday.
Five hydro- power units at Kaptai with the installed capacity of 230 MW have been generating only 30 MW for lower level of water in the Kaptai lake, PDB sources said.
The first unit of Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project went on generation in the past year.
But the second unit also have completed test run recently, said Managing Director of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Ltd (CPGCL) Abul Kalam Azad. Presently both the units have been generating over 900 MW, he said.
The trial production of the first unit of two unit power plant has been completed in the first week of September last year after test run of over one month generating 600 MW power.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the first unit in November last.
Meanwhile, the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) has implemented two units Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project. CPGCBL, a state-owned enterprise of the of Bangladesh, developed the project at a cost of Taka 51,854.88 crore.
If the plant goes to commercial operation, the entire plant will require 10,000 tonnes of coal everyday, each unit requiring 5,000 tonnes.
Four tanks having storage capacity of 17 lakh tonnes have already been built alongside two jetties at the project site to unload the coal to the tanks directly from the ships, the project director said.
The tanks have the capacity of storing coal for 60 days. It will require one and a half day or two days to unload coal from a ship.
The power plant had been built adjacent to the sea, which will not be affected by cyclone or tide, as a-14 meter above sea level embankment was constructed and the power plant is located inside the dam keeping in mind the highest tide in Bangladesh at a height of 10 meters.
The Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant Project involves building a coal-fired power plant with the capacity of generating 1,200 megawatts (MW) of power and affiliated facilities over a period of seven years with the funding provided by JICA.
Japans Sumitomo, Toshiba, and IHI are collaborating as a consortium to implement the project, with POSCO E&C subcontracted to construct the major part of the plant.
As part of its commitment to supporting the regions economy, POSCO E&C has employed some 4,000 local workers daily on average.
This project is being implemented to meet growing electricity demand and to improve stable power supply by installing 1200 MW (600MWx2 units) Ultra Super Critical Coal-fired Power Plant at Matarbari Area of Maheshkhali Upazila under Coxs Bazar district. Total cost of the project is Taka 51,854.88 crore (GOB Taka 6,406.16 cr., JICA Taka 43,921.03 cr., CPGCBL Taka 1,527.69 cr.).
JICA is providing assistance for this project in different phases. JICA has already provided 437,754 million JPY in 6 tranches. Under this 7th tranche of ODA Loan for this project, JICA will provide 217,556 million JPY.
