SS Power Plant shuts down due to coal shortage

The S Alam Group’s SS Power Plant in Chattogram’s Banshkhali has been shut down due to a coal shortage four days after the trial generation began.

The plant ceased production at 10:45 pm on Thursday.

Till its closure, the plant was supplying 300 to 375 MW to the national grid. Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Director (Public Relations) Shameem Hassan confirmed the matter.

After the Payra power plant closed on June 5, BPDB asked SS Power Plant to generate electricity. As a result, the SS power plant began generating electricity in an experimental manner.

“SS electricity is not yet ready for commercial generating,” Shameem Hasaan told the Business Post. “But it was made available to address shortages.”

The 250 km transmission line between the Madunaghat in Chattogram and the Meghnaghat in Narayanganj is still under construction on seven to eight kilometers. Since there is a scarcity of coal, SS power plant, which was supplying energy on the bypass line, has stopped down, Shameem Hassan added.

According to BPDB, there is little impact from the SS power plant shutdown. The reduction in temperature brought on by the rain has resulted in a decrease in electricity demand of at least 2,500 MW.

At noon on Friday, electricity demand was 11,300 MW, generation was 11,024 MW, and load shedding was 264 MW.

Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) said it will take an additional two months for the SS power plant to begin producing commercially.