Current Status: Canceled
Representational Photo: (Grist)
Boalkhali 660 MW Coal Power Plant, also known as Beximco Boalkhali USC Thermal Power Plant, is a canceled Ultra-supercritical (USC) thermal power plant that was to be situated under Boalkhali Upazila in Chattogram District of Bangladesh (Location: 22.3917, 91.9204) approx. It was proposed by Beximco Group, one of the biggest conglomerates in Bangladesh. As per schedule, the power plant was to start commercial operation on 30 July 2019. But no progress was seen by 19 November 2020 when the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) declared not to build any more coal power plants in the country. Beximco Group also removed the information on the power plant from their website.
Capacity
The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 660 and 607 MW respectively.
Context
In June 2016, Beximco Group and China Energy and Engineering Corporation (CEEC) forged a strategic alliance to collaborate on the establishment of a 660 MW ultra-supercritical coal power plant. In October 2016, reports were indicating that Beximco Group had inked a deal with the Chinese state-owned firm China Resources to construct two 660 MW coal-fired power plants, with one slated for development in Boalkhali, Chittagong (GEM). Beximco and their Chinese counterparts engaged in discussions with IPBC Bank and BOC Bank, both of which are Chinese financial institutions (Mridha R., 2016). Also initiated discussions with companies in Indonesia, South Africa, and Mozambique to procure coal for their power plant. They opted to establish the power plants in Chittagong due to its proximity to the sea, facilitating convenient transportation of coal by sea (Goel, 2016). As of November 19, 2020, the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources concluded an energy strategy that involved the cancellation of all coal plants, excluding five projects already in progress. Consequently, the Boalkhali power station by Beximco was anticipated to be officially terminated as a consequence of this decision.
Land Acquisition
297 Acres was expected to establish this power plant which would cover a large area.
Finance
The total Budget was 1437.65 Million and had to be sponsored by China Energy and Engineering Corporation (CEEC) and Beximco although the power plant was not established.
Sponsor
CEEC (China Energy Engineering Corporation Limited) wanted to sponsor this power plant by collaborating with Beximco Group.
Contractor
No information was found about the contractor of the power plant.
Fuel Supply
Coal was the proposed fuel for this power plant and the Support Fuel was HFO (Heavy Fuel Oil) though this power plant was cancelled then. Beximco has initiated discussions with companies in Indonesia, South Africa, and Mozambique to procure coal for this power plant.
Power Generation
The installed capacity was expected to be 660 MW.
Environment
If this power plant was installed a large amount of Carbon would be emitted from this power plant. Besides this, the environment around this power plant was polluted.
References
GEM (2023). Boalkhali power station (Beximco). Global Energy Wiki Monitor. 2023.
Mridha R. (2016). Beximco and Meghna tie-up with Chinese investors for power. The Daily Star.18 0ctober 2016.
Goel Dhurav (2016). Bangladesh Giants Tie Up with Chinese Investors for Coal-Based Power Plants. Linked In . 21 October 2016.