Low cost hydropower
A write-up on the interesting subject was published in a local English daily on January 21st. However, the writer was not very clear on the subject matter. Were these related to conventional hydro-power plants across the rivers Sangu, Matamuhuri and Mohamaya; or these power plants were to be driven by river currents, and located on barges or on shore? It left the write-up rather difficult to understand! The exact nature of the proposed plants needed clearer definition.
Further, the cost of power given at Tk.0.12 per KWh represented only the direct variable cost of generation at maximum production level. It did not include any fixed costs like overheads and cost of capital to finance the project. If these were included the cost of power would have been much higher! The capital cost for conventional hydro-power plants is possibly the highest, when compared with coal, oil, gas or even U-236 based nuclear power plants. Similarly, the cost of Tk.2.00 per KWh shown for gas fired plant also represented only the direct variable cost, and not the usual commercial cost of power.
The proposal for increasing the dam height of Karnaphuli Dam and increasing the plant's generation capacity was also not realistic. It would involve the relocation and rehabilitation of a large number of local settlements. This needs uncalled for humanitarian and social problems. Considering these facts, I do not believe this should be an option or consideration. Rather, we should go for BMRE of the existing power plant there to increase its output to at least 80/85 percent of plant capacity, from the current level of operating at 50 to 60 percent capacity. This needs to be taken in hand, as soon as possible. After all, as we say, "A bird in hand is worth two in the bush."
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