Friday, April 26, 2024
A fresh 400 MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant has started electricity production under the state-owned Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL).
Confirming the matter to The Business Post on Monday, APSCL authorities said electricity supply from the plant to the national grid commenced successfully without any interruption from Saturday night.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Member (generation) SM Wazed Ali Sardar said, “APSCL started electricity production at a time when the country is facing power shortages. This plant will hopefully help us tackle the power outages.”
APSCL started the construction of the combined cycle power plant in 2018 and had a target to complete it by 2021, insiders say.
Due to various complications and the Covid-19 crisis, the construction was completed at the end of September this year at the cost of $180.3 million or around Tk 1,800 crore.
The plant however could not begin operation due to the gas shortage. Speaking to the media, Project Director of the plant Abdul Majid said they earlier started experimental power generation on November 15.
“Though the power plant has the capacity to generate 400MW per day, the production will ultimately depend on gas supply [to the plant],” he added.
The authorities are however yet to estimate the power production cost per unit at the new plant, sources say.
Overall, Ashuganj Power Station, with its four existing plants, has been adding 1,000MW of electricity to the national grid. The Bangladesh Power Development Board owns more than 91 per cent share of the company.
