The fast-tracked 162MW Manikganj power plant, which was scheduled to start generation on January 1, has failed to commence commercial operation, nearly eight months behind schedule.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) sources said that up to July, the power plant only made 70 percent progress. Sources said China’s Consortium of Changzhou Hutang Coal Power Co Ltd, and Bangladesh’s Icon Enterprise Ltd and Chase Power Ltd obtained the project as an unsolicited offer which the government awarded as a priority project. The development of the project was discussed at a review meeting at the Power Division in July. According to a report placed at the meeting, the letter of intent was issued on April 2 last year with a target of the implementation of the project within nine months. The date for starting commercial operation was set by January this year. A review meeting on November 11 last year noted that the engine of the power plant reached the project site in October, and commercial operation could start in March 2019. But sponsors of the project failed to keep commitments about commercial operation, said the BPDB official. They said the project was getting delayed due to complications over land ownership.
However, it was informed at the July meeting that the financial closing of the project has been completed and they have fully progressed in this regard.