Bangladesgh

Nur Uddin Alamgir, Ctg

The state-run 150 megawatt peaking power plant at Shikalbaha in Patiya upazila is going into production after formal inauguration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on September 8.

Uncertainty, however, looms over running the plant as supply of gas to all gas-fired plants in Chittagong is being made keeping the Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company (Kafco) shut during the Ramadan.

One of the two units of the gas-fired 420MW capacity Rauzan Thermal Power Plant and 116MW Shikalbaha Plant and the two barge mounted units had remained almost shutdown since November last year due to insufficient gas supply.

So, restoration of gas supply to the Kafco after Ramadan would surely stand in the way of ensuring supply of 34 million cubic feet (mcf) gas for running the peaking power plant full time or 15 mcf gas for running in the peak hours.

Staff Correspondent

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US $100 million loan for a cross-border electricity initiative between India and Bangladesh.

ADB Board of Directors yesterday approved the loan that would be used to help Bangladesh build a 40-kilometer 400-kilovolt transmission line, along with a high voltage direct current substation and connecting loop, linking the western electrical grid of Bangladesh with India's eastern grid, according to a press release.

Bangladesh in July signed a 35-year power transmission agreement with India aiming to import 250 megawatt power from India, starting from late 2012.

Joint initiatives in Ctg, Khulna eye 1,320MW electricity from coal; the 2 nat'l companies may venture into power deals in both countries 

Pallab Bhattacharya, New Delhi, August 30, 2010

Two national companies of Bangladesh and India yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up two coal-fired power plants of 1,320 megawatts each in Chittagong and Khulna under a joint venture.

The MoU also seeks the two companies' cooperation with each other in development of renewable energy.

This cooperation deal would allow Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) of India to go for joint ventures in other power projects in both the countries in the future. Such projects could encompass joint ventures in hydropower or renewable energy sector, said Indian power ministry officials.

Bangladesh

UNB, Dhaka

The Energy Ministry has curtailed the authoritarian power of the state-owned Petrobangla following its chairman's alleged unfair interference into the affairs of its subsidiary companies.

According to official sources, a new office order was issued by the Energy Ministry on Monday making it mandatory for the Petrobangla chairman to take the concurrence of the ministry before changing or appointing any Managing Director (MD) to any such companies.

"Through this order, the unlimited authority of Petrobangla has been taken away in appointing or transferring any chief official to or from any subsidiary companies," said a senior official at Energy Ministry.