DINAJPUR, Nov 14: Production in the Barapukuria Coal Mine (BCM) in Parbatipur Upazila of the district is set to be suspended due to fall in demand of coal in the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant (BTPP).
One of the three units of the power plant has been closed due to machinery defect. Authorities concerned are apprehending incidents of harmful gas extraction from 1,414 coal-stocked spaces as well as fire.
According to field sources, the coal mine is supposed to produce 3,500-4,000 metric tons (mt) of coal daily; but since August 3 from the 1,414 spaces, 4,500-5,000 mt coal have been raised every day; and till October, 2024, about 3.64 lakh mt of coal were raised; and by December first week, about 1.20 lakh mt more of coal will be lifted.
For this huge volume of coal, the BTPP is the only subscriber.
BCM sources said, it requires 5,000 mt of coal to run three units of the power plant. But three units were never operated at a time.
According to BCM and BTPP sources, since August the plant has been receiving 2,300 mt of coal from the BCM. So, the coal stock is increasing daily.
Managing Director of the BTPP Engineer Md Saiful Islam said, if it is not possible to preserve lifted coal on yards of BCM, the coal lifting will be halted; different hindrances will be created about the agreement between the BCM and the Chinese Consortium; besides, harmful gas extraction and fire incidents are likely in the spaces; and, the coal lifting can be stopped.
Chief Engineer of the BTPP Abu Bakkar Siddiq said, it requires only 2,300 mt coal to run two units; the remaining coal is kept on the yard; on Monday the electricity production was 200 mega watt (mw) from these two units; today in the noon No. 1 Unit was closed for the time being due to machinery defect.
The produced electricity is being added to the national grid.
"As it is not required, we can't receive the produced coal," he added. He further said, "Coal will be needed in the next dry season. Then we can receive coal."
