Current Status: Expired
Figure: Bogura 20 MW DFG Power plant; Source: Google Maps
Bogura 20 MW Gas Power Plant, also known as Energy Prima Bogura Rental Power Plant, is a reciprocating engine-based power plant situated in the PDB compound under Bogura Sadar Upazila in Bogura District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.8414, 89.3528). It is sponsored by Energy Prima Limited (EPL), a subsidiary of Hosaf Group, as a Rental Power Plant (RPP) for three years. The sponsor declared its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 13 June 2011, and, as per schedule, it is to retire on 12 June 2014. However, the power plant will be phased out on 12 November 2024 after 13 years of operation.
Capacity
The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 26.5 MW and 20 MW, respectively.
Context
Energy Prima's Bogura 20 MW rental power plant was one of five expensive rental power plants that the Power Development Board signed deals with a couple of companies to install in 2008 (Newsprojects, 2008). However, due to a lack of required equipment, power generation from the power plant was uncertain (Hasibur 2009). On 20 February 2010, Chairman of Energy Prima Ltd Moazzam Hossain claimed that the plant was yet to start generating power due to a shortage of equipment. Still, it was ready to generate and supply 14 MW of power to the national grid as per the proposal (Hasibur 2010).
On April 8, 2015, the company obtained approval from the Cabinet Purchase Committee to renew its power purchase agreements with the government for a third time. Lastly, on 29 Dec 2021, at the 42nd meeting of the CCGP with Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, the 20 MW gas-based rental power plant in Bogura district has also been extended for three more years (Jagonews 2021).
Land Acquisition
The power plant occupies a 1.21-acre plot of land. (Google Earth)
Finance
National Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank Ltd financed the power plant.
Sponsors
The power plant was sponsored by Energy Prima Limited (EPL), a sister concern of Hosaf Group, as a Rental Power Plant.
Contractors
Insufficient information
Fuel Supply
BPDB completed work of the gas line under the supervision of PGCL at a cost of Tk 3.18 crore in November to ensure gas supply for this power plant (Hasibur 2009).
Power generation
According to the PPA, BPDB is to purchase electricity from the power plant at a rate of 3.6 cents per unit (kWh) (Newsprojects, 2008). It could generate 27.88 million units (GWh) of electricity at a 15.9% plant load factor (PLF). The PPA time was further extended by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase (CCGP) for a further three years, ending in November 2024, at BDT 2.03 per kWh. For the next three years, BPDB will spend a total of BDT 54 crore, or about BDT 18 crore, to purchase electricity from the power plant (Mehedi H., 2022).
Capacity charge
BPDB had to pay USD 488,386.09 (BDT 5.35 crore when USD 1=BDT 109.75) in FY 2020-2021 to the sponsor as the capacity charge per day.
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). But, to date, no IEE or EIA report has been conducted for the power plant.
References
Hasibur 2009. Bogura plant still waiting for equipment supply. The Daily Star, 26 June 2009.
Hasibur 2010. Bogura 20MW Rental Power Plant uncertain. The Daily Star, 26 February 2010.
Jagonews 2021. Purchase Committee approves 5 power sector proposals. Jagonews.com, 29 December 2021.
Mehedi, H. (2022). BPDB Trapped by Expensive Rental Power Plants. Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED).
MOEFCC 1997. The Environmental Conservation Rules. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 27 August 1997
MOLJPA 1995. Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MOLJPA): 16 February 1995.
Newsprojects, 2008. PDB signs deals for 5 rental power plants. Newsprojects.com, 17 January 2008.