News Desk :
The age of quick rental power plants is going to end in Bangladesh as the government will not renew the contracts of any of them.
Most of Tk 8,500-crore subsidy in the power sector is spent for these quick rental power plants.
Experts said huge money will be saved if these power plants can be shut quickly.
The production capacity of Bangladesh was only 4,942 MW covering only half of the country’s total population when Awami League assumed power in 2009.
The government went for quick rental power plants to expedite industrialisation in the country.
After the plants were established in 2010, the government had said those will be phased out within 3-5 years.
However, the government continued to renew contracts, drawing huge criticisms.
Of the total 137 power plants in the country, 11 are quick rental and nine are rental.
The government has to pay around Tk 2,500 as rent or capacity payment to those power plants.
Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain said 12 rental power plants have already shut and the contract of no rental power plant will be renewed anymore.
Energy Adviser of Consumer Association of Bangladesh Shamsul Alam said it will be possible to spend subsidy money for sustainable development of the power sector if these power plants are fully closed.
