Indian company NTPC has submitted a draft feasibility report to set up a 1,300 megawatts joint-venture coal-based plant in Khulna.
The project is expected to be completed in 2015, said the state minister for energy, Mohammad Enamul Haque, in parliament in reply to a question from Nazrul Islam Manju.
The government between January 2009 and May 2011 signed 39 agreements to install 41 power plants for generation of additional 4,504 megawatts of electricity, he said, replying to Begum Salma Islam.
Fifteen power plants have already been commissioned and are generating 1,201 megawatt and the rest 26 plants are in process of implementation.
The government has undertaken short, medium and long-term plan for comprehensive and balanced development of the sector and under the plan, by 2016, a total of 15,000 megawatt power would be produced, the minister said.
Considering the gas shortage, the government has emphasised on liquid fuel, coal, duel fuel and renewable energy to produce electricity.
Tenders for 30 plants in private and public sectors to generate 3,879 megawatts are under process and deals would be signed in six months, Enamul added.
Power import process from Nepal, India and Bhutan is going on and by 2013, a total of 500 megawatts would be imported from India.
In reply to a question of Zafrul Islam Chowdhury, the minister said Power Development Board owed the private and public sector Tk 1.26 billion.
Twenty-nine districts are under the gas distribution network and it would not be wise to develop additional gas pipeline without ensuring gas supply, he added.
Source : New Age
