1,200 MW Matarbari Power Plant back online

Staff Reporter :

The Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant is set to commence generating 1,200 MW of electricity from Friday, following the recent import of coal for power production, an official has confirmed.

“We have ensured a steady coal supply for the plant to maintain uninterrupted electricity generation,” said AJM Ershad Ahsan Habib, Director General (Additional Charge) of Power Cell, speaking to media on Tuesday.

Habib explained that the plant, currently under maintenance, is prepared to resume operations on Friday.

“The coal crisis will no longer be an issue as shipments are now arriving weekly. Each 600 MW unit requires 5,000 tonnes of coal daily,” he added.

Efficiency improvements in coal unloading have significantly reduced turnaround times, with workers now unloading coal from mother vessels within 2-3 days instead of the previous 10-15 days.

The power plant’s two units, each with a capacity of 600 MW, were shut down on October 31 due to a coal shortage. However, recent shipments from Indonesia have replenished the plant’s coal reserves.

Last week, a vessel carrying 70,000 tonnes of coal docked at the plant’s jetty, and another with 60,000 tonnes arrived shortly afterward.

Manowar Hossain Majumdar, Supervising Engineer (Transportation) at the Matarbari Site Office of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, stated that agreements with Meghna Group and Birla will ensure the import of 3.5 million tonnes of coal annually to meet the plant’s requirements.

With the winter season approaching, electricity demand is gradually decreasing. On Monday, the country generated 10,000 MW of power, reflecting the reduced seasonal demand.

Habib expressed optimism about the plant’s operation, assuring that adequate coal supplies would support consistent electricity generation moving forward.