NN Online:
The Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant is set to begin generating 1200 MW of electricity from Friday, following the import of coal for power production, according to an official familiar with the process.
“We have ensured coal supply for the plant to keep it in operation for electricity generation,” AJM Ershad Ahsan Habib, director general (Addl Charge) Power Cell, told BSS on Tuesday, reports BSS.
He said Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant is now under maintenance and it will go for operation from Friday next.
“From now on, the coal crisis will not be visible, as coal is coming in every week. Each unit of the plant having 600 MW generation capacity requires 5000 tonnes of coal per day while 5000 tonnes for another unit,” he added.
Habib said workers of the power plant have been unloading coal from mother vessels within 2-3 days instead of 10-15 days.
He said the country generated 10,000 MW power on Monday as electricity demand is gradually decreasing due to the winter season.
According to information, the 1,200 MW two-unit power plant was shut down from October 31 due to coal shortage.
It said a ship bearing the Indonesian flag arrived at the jetty of the power plant with 70,000 tonnes of coal last week. Apart from this, another Indonesian ship with 60000 tonnes of coal arrived at Matarbari power.
Manowar Hossain Majumdar, supervising engineer (Transportation) of Matarbari Site Office of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, told journalists recently an agreement was signed for coal import.
According to the agreement, Meghna Group and Birla will import 3.5 million tonnes of coal for the power plant in a year.
The Power Cell DG said now the demand for electricity is less than before due to the winter season which is already approaching.
