‘Cox’s Bazar may have LNG terminal at Matarbari

After the 1,200 MW coal-fired power plant, another LNG-based plant of the same capacity is planned.  Therefore, the feasibility of setting up LNG terminal is being investigated.

Therefore, Matarbari of Cox's Bazar is going to take shape as a complete hub of electricity and energy.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said this recently.

This 1,200 MW coal-fired power plant is well on its way to becoming a reality at Matarbari in Cox's Bazar.  The power plant is likely to go into production next year.

Another power plant of the same capacity was to be built at Matarbari with the help of Japan.  However, Japan's reluctance to finance coal-fired power plants has forced the government to consider alternatives.  LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) is becoming dominant as the primary fuel for the second power plant.  So feasibility of LNG terminal construction is being verified.

Nasrul Hamid said, construction of LNG terminal is our main goal.  For this, the consultant has selected the place.  So we are quite optimistic.  It will be Bangladesh's first deep sea energy port.  Other ports of the country will be connected with it.  It is 300 meters wide and about 18.5 meters deep.  Where Chattogram port is only 9 deep.  It is about 2.5 times deeper seaport being artificially constructed.  Ships of about 80 thousand tons can fit here.

It is known that even though there are plans for two large-scale power plants, coal and LNG terminals around the same area, the deep sea port will provide additional benefits to Matarbari.  A jetty is being built after the artificial channel.  In that case both fuels like coal or LNG will be easily transported as compared to Payra-Rampal.

The policy makers are hoping that the global situation will also come within reach after the Matarbari power plant starts production.  They think that the current unrest will be over with primary energy resources.

After complete electrification, the main challenge now is to ensure sustainable and reliable power supply.  Matarbari of Cox's Bazar is being prepared for that purpose.  However, the main challenge for the large-scale power plants here, which depend on imported fuel, is to secure sufficient energy resources.