Dependence on oil to cope with load shedding
Production of Matarbari power plant has been completely stopped due to coal shortage. Dependence on oil to cope with load shedding. On the other hand half of the capacity electricity is also coming from S Alam’s Banskhali (SS Power) and Rampal.
Oil-based power generation has been increased to deal with load shedding as supply falls against demand. It increases the production cost of electricity.
Among the major coal-fired power plants in the country, only the Payra power plant is operating at full capacity. PDB is taking electricity continuously at full capacity (more or less 1244 MW) from this power plant in Patuakhali. Yesterday, Saturday, there was a demand of 11,000 to 12,000 megawatts of electricity in the country at various times during the day and night.
During this time there has been load shedding from 200 to 700 MW. Which was less than the previous few days. Earlier, the maximum loadshedding in the country was 1685 MW on Friday night and 1576 MW on Thursday night. Apart from this, there was more or less load shedding at different times of the day and night.
Analyzing PDB data, oil-based power generation was between 400 million units (kWh) and 150 million units even a week ago. On October 25, 13.7 million kilowatt hours or 1 crore 37 lakh units of oil-based electricity was produced to meet the country’s demand.
About 25 crore 20 lakh taka has been expended. On October 26, oil-based power generation rose to 3 crore 12 lakh units. Jalani expenditure is 56 crore 78 lakh taka. In one day, the cost of production to meet the electricity demand increased by 31 crore 67 lakh taka. On October 27, oil-based electricity generation was 3 crore 83 lakh units, on October 28 it was 4 crore 15 lakh units, on October 29 it was 4 crore 5 lakh units and on October 30 it was 4 crore 9 lakh units. At that time, the total production of gas, coal, oil, solar, hydro (including imports) i.e. all types of energy was 257 million units to 285 million units.
Among the large coal-based power plants in the country, Payra in Patuakhali, Rampal in Bagerhat and Banshkhali SS Power in Chittagong have an installed capacity of 1320 MW. Out of this, Payra can supply 1244 MW to grid, Rampal 1234 and S Alam 1224 MW. And the 1200 MW power plant installed in Matarbari can provide 1150 MW to the grid.
Out of the four power plants only Payra power plant is in full capacity production. Analyzing the statistics of NLDC, it can be seen that PDB is taking 1200-1244 MW power continuously from Payra power station.
Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL) is a joint venture between Bangladesh and China and constructed this power plant at Payra. Bangladesh’s state-owned Northwest Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) and China’s state-owned China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) share equal (50:50) ownership.
The first unit of Pyra started commercial production on 15 May 2020 and the second unit on 8 December of the same year. However, if the production is continued at full capacity in this way, the important equipment of this power plant may be at risk, the power plant-affiliates think.
When asked about this, an official of PDB told our time that two units of Payra power plant started commercial production in 2020. Electricity is being drawn from this center all the time except for maintenance period. No problem. He said that the center has spoken to the manufacturers (CMC) about the matter. They (Chinese manufacturers) said, ‘Sustainable, no problem’.
Sources related to PDB said that electricity supply to the grid from Matarbari was operational on October 24. On that day, 155 MW electricity was supplied to the national grid from the center. The plant stopped production completely the next day due to exhaustion of coal reserves.
The first and second units of Matarbari power plant started commercial production in December 2023 and July 2024 respectively. The plant was built under the funding of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and State Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL).
Meanwhile, production has halved at Rampal and Banshkhali power plants due to lack of coal. Meanwhile, a unit of S Alam’s Banshkhali has also been closed for maintenance. Rampal was built by Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt.) Limited (BIFPCL). This company is formed on the basis of joint venture between Bangladesh and India. SS Power is a joint venture between domestic conglomerate S Alam Group and Chinese companies SEPCO 3 and HTG. 6 companies under S Alam have 70 percent stake in the power plant. The remaining 30 percent is owned by two Chinese companies.
On the other hand, India’s Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL) has halved power supply in Bangladesh during the crisis at three coal-based power plants. They took this decision for not getting the due bills on time.
Data from the National Load Despatch Center (NLDC) showed that the Adani plant has supplied half the power since midnight on Thursday. A unit of this power plant with an installed capacity of 1600 MW is currently supplying about 700 MW of electricity to Bangladesh. Production of another unit of the same capacity has been stopped. Adani claims that they owe PDB 886 million dollars (about 10,350 crore rupees).
Sources related to PDB say that Adani is asking to pay that amount due to high coal price. However, PDB refused to pay the high price of coal.
According to PB sources, the 1320 MW power plant built at Payra in Patuakhali is charging $75 per ton of coal from PDB. S Alam Group’s SS Power power plant in Chittagong’s Banshkhali and Bagerhat’s Rampal power plant are charging $80 per ton of coal. Adani Group is asking $96 per ton of coal. Adani last wrote to PDB on October 28 amid dispute over price hike and demand for payment of dues. It is said that PDB should take measures to pay the arrears by October 30 as promised, otherwise Adani will be forced to stop power supply from October 31 as per the purchase agreement.
According to PDB sources, the letter of credit (LC) in Adani’s name for power import was to be opened by October 30. It was supposed to be opened through Krishi Bank, but that did not happen. PDB has asked for more time. In this situation, Adani has shut down a unit since last Thursday.
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Credit: Dainikamadersomoy
