Payra transmission lines completed with 25% less money

The Power Division could save Tk 810 crore in construction of the power transmission lines from Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant.

The initial cost of constructing the transmission lines was fixed at Tk 3,294 crore but the transmission lines of the 1320MW power plant was completed at Tk 2,484 crore, according to sources at the Power Division.

This project has been financed by the government of Bangladesh, the own funds of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) loan assistance.

Morshed Alam Khan, the project manager (transferred a month ago), told The Business Post, “There are three main reasons for the cost reduction. The use of local raw materials in the metal tower’s construction, the used land is outside the municipality which was initially within its borders, and some equipment which were available at relatively low prices. This reduced the total cost of the project by about 25 per cent.”

He said, “Although the work is complete, it will officially be completed in June. During this period the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) of the Planning Commission will complete its formalities and the approval of the planning minister. The unused amount will be refunded.”

It has been reported that, under the project, to facilitate the supply of electricity generated from the power plant, a 163.43km long 400 KV double circuit transmission line from Patuakhali (Payra) to Gopalganj has been constructed along with an 11.87km long 132 KV double-circuit in-out line in the new substation of Gopalganj, connecting the Madaripur and Gopalganj’s old substations. Also, connecting Madaripur and Faridpur with a 1.08km long 132 KV double-circuit in-out line at Gopalganj new substation has been constructed and a 400/132 KV, 3D325 MVA AIS substation has been constructed in Gopalganj.

The project was launched on April 25, 2017, at a total outlay of Tk 3,294.25 crore. Of which the government allotted Tk 2707.74 crore, ADB’s loan was Tk 348.71 crore and PGCB ‘s own funds stood at Tk 237.78 crore.

But this year, the construction of the transmission lines has been completed with a total cost of Tk 2,494.12 crore. Of which the government’s allotment was Tk 2,080.20 crore, ADB’s loan was Tk 237.21 crore and PGCB funds stood at Tk 166.70 crore. According to the PGCB, the approximately 163km long double circuit high voltage transmission line has connected from Patuakhali district’s Payra via Patuakhali Sadar-Barguna-Jhalakathi-Barishal-Madaripur to Muksudpur upazila of Gopalganj district to the grid substation.

Four “ACCC contactors” (wires) are used in each phase of this line. Hence, the transmission capacity of this line will be higher than other 400 KV lines. The power produced in Payra’s 1320 MW power plant is transmitted through this line. If more power plants are built in the area in future, the electricity can be transmitted to the national grid through this line due to the high capacity.