National grid likely to get 560MW more power from April

National grid of the country is likely to get about 560MW of power from April 30 as two base load plants of Summit Group are getting ready for commissioning commercially.

The plants are 335MW combined cycle unit of Summit Meghnaghat Power and 341MW simple cycle unit of Summit Bibiyana II plant.

According to official sources, the Summit Group has informed the state-owned Power Development Board (PDB) that it will be able to commercially commission its Meghnaghat Power Plant's combined cycle unit by April 30 this year.

The simple cycle unit of Meghnaghat plant has been in operation for last few months, producing over 200MW.

A progress report submitted to the Power Division shows that Summit has completed 99 percent of its civil and engineering works till end of January 2015.

PDB's project director for Meghnatghat plant Samir Uddin informed the news agency that initially the commercial operation date (COD) was March 31. But due to problem in gas supply the date has now been rescheduled for April 30, he said.

"Now everything is on to keep the target unchanged and we're hopeful of getting COD as per schedule," he said.

Once the plant's COD is done and it starts running in full swing of capacity, the country will get about 335MW from the Meghnaghat project, said the official.

Besides, the Summit Group's 341MW Bibiyana II Plant's simple cycle unit is getting ready for commercial commissioning by April 30 as well.

As per the progress report, Summit completed 97 percent of its civil construction works and 83 percent of engineering works till end of January. The gas turbine and generator of the plants were set up and the mechanical and electrical works were running.

The 92 percent works of gas pipe line installation has been completed by this time.

PDB's project director for the plant Saiful Islam Khan said Summit had informed the authorities concerned to commission its simple cycle unit by April 30.

Officials said once the simple cycle unit was commercially commissioned, the national grid would receive about 226MW from the project.