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Ashuganj 110 MW (APSCL) DFG Power Plant (Unit 1)

  • Mar 6, 2024
  • 5 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

Status: Retired


Ashuganj 110 MW Gas Power Plant (Unit 1), also known as APSCL-I GT Power Plant, is a Gas Turbine power plant situated within Ashuganj Power Station Complex in Sonaram under Ashuganj Upazila in Brahmanbaria District of Bangladesh (Coordinate: 24.0432, 91.0149). It was sponsored by Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL), a State-owned Enterprise (SOE) under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), as a Public Power Plant (PPP) for 25 years. The Steam Turbine (ST) unit of 64 MW started commercial operation on 17 August 1970, and the Gas Turbine (GT) Unit of 56 MW on 15 November 1982. Another ST unit of 34 MW started operation on 28 March 1984. According to the schedule, the power plant was to retire on 16 July 1995 and 14 November 2007. But the GT unit retired in 2017 while the ST unit was in 2016 after 32 years of operation (GEM, 2023).


Capacity

The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 154 MW (ST 64 MW, GT 56 & ST 34 MW) and 110 MW (ST 50 MW, GT 40 & ST 20 MW), respectively.


Context

In 1966, construction of the Ashuganj Thermal Power Plant began on a 311-acre plot near the Meghna Railway Bridge in Bangladesh, with financial assistance from the German Government. Two units,  with a capacity of 2*64 MW, were established by July 1970. Provisions were made for the future expansion of three additional units. The Steam Turbine (ST) unit of 64 MW started commercial operation on 17 August 1970 (APSCL, 2023).


Simultaneously, plans were made to establish a combined cycle plant in Ashuganj with British financial support. This plant has a total capacity of 146MW, consisting of two gas turbine units, each with a 56MW capacity, and one steam turbine unit with a 34MW capacity. GT-1, ST, and GT-2 units were commissioned in 1982, 1984, and 1986, respectively. Gas Turbine (GT) Unit started commercial operation on 15 November 1982. Another ST unit of 34 MW started operation on 28 March 1984 (APSCL, 2023). 


Together with Unit 1 (64MW), GT-1 (56MW) and ST-1 (34MW) Ashuganj 110MW DFG power plant was in action. According to the schedule, the power plant was to retire on 16 July 1995 and 14 November 2007. But the GT unit retired in 2017 while the ST unit was in 2016 after 32 years of operation (GEM, 2023).


Fuel Supply

The power plant was running on Domestic Fossil Gas (DFG) and required 18.77 million cubic feet per day (mmscfd) and 6.85 billion cubic feet (bcf) of DFG annually (ADB,2016). The primary fuel used for this power plant is natural gas, mainly supplied by the Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Ltd (APSCL, 2023).


Efficiency

The power plant only ran at 29.79% thermal efficiency (ADB, 2016).


Water

The power plant uses 16,200 cubic meters (15,908.4 tonnes) of water per hour from the Meghna River, which means it uses 381,801.6 tonnes of water per day and 139.36 million tonnes per year (ADB,2016).


Land Acquisition

Construction of the Ashuganj Thermal Power Plant commenced in 1966 after acquiring a 311-acre parcel of land on the northeast side of the Meghna Railway Bridge  where this powerplant had taken some space of about  40 acres (calculated from google earth) (APSCL, 2023). The 311-acre total land area of the Ashuganj Power Station complex is confirmed by the MIGA Environmental and Social Review Summary (2012), which notes the complex is situated beside the River Meghna on approximately 311 acres of land, located around 75 km from Dhaka (MIGA, 2012).


Finance

The financial support came from the Bangladesh Government as well as from the British (APSCL, 2023). 


Sponsor

It is sponsored by Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL), a State-owned Enterprise (SOE) under Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) (APSCL, 2023).  APSCL was formally incorporated on 28 June 2000 under the Companies Act 1990, as part of the Power Sector Development and Reform Program of the Government of Bangladesh. Before this, the Ashuganj station was directly run by BPDB. APSCL is 99.99% owned by BPDB, with the remaining 0.01% held by several government ministries and divisions (Wikipedia).


Contractors

The main equipment of this unit is made and established by GEC from England (at present ALSTOM, UK) (APSCL, 2023). 


Power Generation

The power plant's total installed capacity is 154 MW, which breaks down into 64 MW from the steam turbine (ST), 56 MW from the gas turbine (GT), and 34 MW from the second steam turbine. However, the net or derated capacity of the plant is 110 MW, comprising 50 MW from the steam turbine, 40 MW from the gas turbine, and 20 MW from the second steam turbine.


Environment

According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA 1995). Polluting industries, such as power plants, must undergo an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 2017 (MOEFCC 1997). DFG, which primarily contains methane but may also contain other hydrocarbons, is classified as a fossil fuel. When used for generating electricity, it releases harmful pollutants like CO2, NOx, CO, VOCs, and PM, which can harm human health and contribute to air pollution. NOx can cause respiratory issues, CO disrupts oxygen circulation, VOCs are linked to various health problems, and ozone formation is a potential concern. Notably, PM2.5, a fine particulate matter, poses significant health risks and is associated with lung cancer and heart disease. The Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) has implemented a comprehensive management system in accordance with ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, and OHSAS 18001:2007, aligning with its corporate goals (APSCL, 2023). Despite not finding an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report, the APSCL website states its commitment to environmental responsibility and global environmental protection. They aim to manage the environment dynamically with continuous feedback, adhere to laws and agreements, and minimize adverse environmental impacts through integrated planning. APSCL promotes resource-efficient practices, reduces hazardous waste generation, and encourages their suppliers and partners to follow these principles. The absence of an EIA report for this power plant is concerning. Implementing a carbon tax to account for the carbon emissions from natural gas is crucial. Moving from natural gas to renewable energy sources in the near future would be a more environmentally responsible choice.


Carbon Footprint

Calculated  from the net capacity, life time and efficiency the power plant had emitted maximum 7.03, minimum 3.40 and average 4.32 Million ton CO2 which has the potential of posing great environmental impact.


Criticism

Unit-1 was idle and  inoperative since April 28, 2005 following leakage in its boiler tube, which was yet to be repaired according to a news article on 14 May, 2005 (Daily Star, 2005). According to the environmental conservation rule 2023 the project falls in the “Red” indicating it as a potential harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).



References

 
 
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