The total capacity of coal-based power plants in the country is 7,095 megawatts (MW). However, four major power plants are not operating at full capacity due to grid constraints. As such, when the demand for electricity suddenly increases in the national grid, it is supplemented by running oil-based power plants. As a result, Bangladesh Power Development Board’s (BPDB) production costs are increasing, while a significant portion of the capacity of coal-based power plants remains idle. Nevertheless, as base-load power plants, coal-based plants were supposed to generate electricity around the clock, experts say.
Senior BPDB officials stated that grid constraints are not the only reason for the inability of coal-based power plants in the southern region to operate at full capacity. Apart from this issue, lack of sufficient fuel (coal), outstanding bills, and maintenance are also responsible. However, grid work is progressing rapidly. Officials hope that once these works are completed, it will be possible to keep all coal-based power plants in production.
BPDB Member (Production) Md Jahirul Islam told Bonik Barta, “There are three apparent crises in coal-based power plants. Because of this, even though they are supposed to be operational around the clock, it is not possible. First, there is no stock of coal required to run the power plants; second, there is a delay in coal import if the plants’ dues are not paid on time; and third, the grid capacity is not fully ready. Besides these, if a power plant is operational around the clock, at least 20 percent of its capacity is under maintenance.”
According to BPDB sources, the total capacity of the four major coal-based power plants in the southern region is 4,267 MW. Of this, Rampal in Bagerhat has an installed capacity of 1,320 MW (although the actual capacity is 1,234 MW), Barisal Electric Power has 307 MW, RPCL-Norinco International Power Limited (RNPL) in Payra, Patuakhali has 1,320 MW, and Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL) has 1,320 MW.
According to the power purchase agreement, coal-based power plants are supposed to operate at 80 percent plant factor, but they have been operating at full capacity for a very limited time this year.
According to BPDB data, BCPCL has been operating at an 80 percent plant factor for only 61 days from January to July 17 this year. Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Limited (BIFPCL) at Rampal has been operational for 27 days, while Barisal Electric Power has been operational for 30 days. RNPL has yet to enter commercial production, despite being fully ready approximately six months ago. However, according to calculations from January to July 17 last year, the plant has been running at 80 percent plant factor for 50 days, BPDB sources have mentioned.
Discussions with several officials from RNPL, BCPCL, and BPDB revealed that ultra-supercritical technology power plants were constructed in the southern region, anticipating industrial and economic growth following the completion of the Padma Bridge. This was based on the expectation that industrialization would increase electricity demand at a significant rate. However, in reality, there has been little to no industrialization, and the demand for electricity has remained relatively unchanged. Therefore, the electricity generated by large coal-based plants is transmitted to Dhaka and supplied to the national grid throughout the country. However, after the power plants are commissioned and become operational, they cannot be operated at full capacity due to grid constraints.
According to BPDB estimates, the total capacity of the four major coal-based power plants in the southern region is 4,267 MW. If the plants are operated at 80 percent plant factor, a maximum of 2,500 MW of electricity can be transmitted through the Gopalganj-Aminbazar 400 kV transmission line.
According to information from Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, a 400 kV transmission line has been constructed from Mongla to Aminbazar in Savar via Mawa to bring the electricity generated by the Rampal Power Plant in Bagerhat to Dhaka through the national grid. It is known as the Mongla-Mawa-Aminbazar 400 kV transmission line.
However, an official of Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, on condition of anonymity, told Bonik Barta, “It is not always the case that all the plants cannot be operated at full capacity due to grid constraints. PGCB receives electricity from the plants on the basis of merit order. In this case, electricity demand and savings are given priority. If the demand for electricity is low or the production cost is high, less electricity is taken from the concerned plant. As a result, the plants will not always run at 80 percent plant factor. However, all coal-based power plants in Bangladesh are base-load based. But due to fuel shortages and mechanical faults, it is not possible to operate the plants all the time.”
Despite the country's coal-based power plants having a capacity of over 7,000 MW, their maximum operational capacity averages around 4,000 MW due to high electricity demand. The remaining capacity cannot be utilized due to energy shortages, maintenance issues, and outstanding bills.
When asked about this issue, Power Grid Bangladesh PLC Chairman Dr. M. Rezwan Khan told Bonik Barta, “It is not just the transmission problem in the case of coal-based power plants in the southern region; there is also a crisis in coal unloading and fuel import. However, the work on the transmission infrastructure required to run the plants at 80 percent plant factor will be completed within three to four months. Then, the power of the plants can be supplied to the grid at full capacity.”