China has become Bangladesh’s largest energy partner after signing investment deals for developing two coal-fired power plants in Bangladesh, officials said.
These are the 1,320 MW thermal power plant in Payra and the 1,320 MW thermal power plants in Banshkhali.
Bangladesh-China Power Company Private Limited (BCPCL) will develop the Payra coal-fired power plant with an estimated cost of $2 billion while a joint venture of Bangladesh’s S Alam Group, and China’s SEPCO-3 Electric Power Constitution Corporation and HTG Group will build the Banshkhali thermal power plant at a cost of $2.4 billion.
Earlier, the government moves to set up 25 coal-fired power plants by 2022 to generate 23,692 MW power to meet the country’s rising electricity demand despite growing opposition among people and environmentalists.
Of the total, 16 will be built by the public sector and nine by the private sector.
Earlier, at least four people died and many were injured at Banshkhali in Chittagong when police opened fire at violent protests against the construction of Banshkhali power plant.”After signing these deals, China have become the largest energy partner for Bangladesh,” Nasrul Hamid Bipu, State Minister for the Ministry of Power and Energy Resources, told The New Nation on Sunday.
He added,” We are going to develop Payra and Banshkhali thermal power plants with Chinese assistance. These power plants will be constructed as part of the government plan to generate more electricity from coal-fired power plants by 2022.”
Regarding Bangladesh- China energy cooperation, Bipu said, “Dhaka and Beijing engaged in broad-based bilateral cooperation and setting up coal-based power plants with Chinese assistance indicated this cooperation.”
The State Minister said that the government pushing to build mega coal-fired power plants across the country with a view to ensuring Bangladesh’s long-term energy security.
“As part of this effort, the government has also initiated the construction of the 1,320MW Super Thermal Power Plant in Rampal,” he added.
