Dhaka to seek Abu Dhabi’s help for 2 energy projects

October 20, 2014

UNB, Dhaka :
Bangladesh is likely seek UAE’s cooperation in two projects in the power and energy sector during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s Abu Dhabi visit scheduled for October 25-27.
According official sources in the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, Dhaka is taking preparation to discuss the UAE’s investment
and financial support for coal based power development and also for establishing a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal with re-gasification facilities in the country.
“We’re preparing specific proposals on this particular issue for the Prime Minister’s Abu Dhabi visit,” a senior official at the Power and Energy Ministry told UNB on Sunday.
He, however, said UAE had showed keen interest for setting up a gas-fired power plant in Shahjibazar of greater Sylhet and this issue might come up for discussion as well.
Officials said, that many important issues including manpower export, sea port development and energy sector cooperation will be discussed during the Prime Minister’s UAE visit. Each of the relevant ministries is busy preparing the agenda for discussion during the visit.
Power and Energy Ministry officials said the government is laying importance on the financing of the coal-fired power plant as the country’s power system master plan stipulated 38,000 MW power generation by 2030 in which 30 percent will come from imported coal.
On the other hand, setting up LNG terminal is important from a point of view that the government has also another plant to import gas from abroad to meet the future energy requirement in power and industry sector.
At present, an LNG terminal with re-gasification facilities project was awarded to an American company to develop in the Chittagong region targeting to import bulk liquefied gas to inject 500 million cubic feet gas per day (MMCFD) to national gas network to meet the growing energy demand.
Another LNG terminal project is under process to award its contract to an Indian company to provide imported gas supply to a power plant in the country’s southern region.