Power from Barapukuria plant in November

The plant will generate 125 MW electricity from one unit and double its production by March next year when the second unit will be in operation, according to officials at the plant.

This will greatly ease the power crisis in the northern districts, they said.

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About 76 per cent work of the Tk 1650 crore plant has been completed, the officials informed State Minister for Power Iqbal Hasan Mahmood during his visit to the plant on Saturday. The plant will use coal from Barapukuria coal mine, which is yet to be ready for coal extraction.

The coal reserves are enough to feed the power plant for 30 years, the officials said.

The power plant is being built under the supervision of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) officials.

During the visit, the State Minister asked project officials to complete the work in time to ease the power crisis in northern districts.

Besides load-shedding, low-voltage in power supply is affecting irrigation of IRRI-Boro lands during the peak season now. Many deep and sallow tube wells often trip due to low voltage, causing sufferings to farmers.

The State Minister held a meeting with Rajshahi divisional commissioner, deputy commissioners of eight districts and officials of PDB, Rural Electrification Board and Power Grid Company, Bangladesh and reviewed the power supply situation.

The meeting took some decisions including introduction of load-staggering system for ensuring power supply for irrigation by shedding load in urban areas.

The minister also directed the deputy commissioners to create awareness among people, particularly owners of shopping centres, petrol pumps, laundry shops and welding factories to curtail power consumption during peak hours. Consumers who need high voltage have been advised to use generators during peak hours.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia on April 23, 2003 inaugurated construction of the plant being built on 300 acres of land.

As the plant will not use any imported fuel, it will save 2000 million US dollars in 30 years, sources said.