Current Status: Operation
Source: (AA, 2023)
Chattogram 420 MW (BPDB) DFG Power Plant (Unit 1-2) also known as Chittagong Power Station or Raozan Power Station, is a Combined Cycle (CC) power plant situated in Pahartali under Raozan Upazila in Chattogram District of Bangladesh (Location: 22.4581, 91.9785). It is sponsored by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) as a State-owned Power Plant (SOPP) for 25 years. The power plant started commercial operation on 28 March 1993 and, as per schedule, it was to retire on 27 March 2018. However, the power plant is still operating without a declaration of retirement.
Capacity
The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of Chattogram Gas Power Plant is 420 MW and 360 MW respectively.
Context
The Raozan Power Plant is a dual-fuel facility, predominantly relying on gas for power generation. It is situated on the southern side of the Chattogram-Kaptai Expressway, in Raozan, Chattogram district, approximately 25 kilometers northeast of Chattagram. The power plant is owned and operated by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Construction of the power plant commenced on February 1, 1990. The first unit of the Chattogram 420 MW (BPDB) DFG Power Plant with a capacity of 210 MW was commissioned on July 31, 1993 (AA, 2023).
The initial unit of the power plant was established at a cost of 664 crore BDT with support from the Chinese firm China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC). Subsequently, the Chinese firm CMEC constructed the second unit (210 MW) in July 1994 at a cost of 538 crore BDT, and it commenced operations in September 1997. Since its commencement, the first unit encountered approximately 500 mechanical faults, while the second unit faced around 300. Resuming power generation after unit suspension due to mechanical issues takes a minimum of 72 hours. Remarkably, neither of the two units has operated at full capacity, generating 210 MW each, since their inception. According to PDB sources, both existing units in Raozan are slated for closure upon the commissioning of the new plant in December 2023 (DO, 2022).
Land Acquisition
Chittagong power station covers an area of around 68.92 acres. The Chattogram 420 MW (BPDB) DFG Power Plant (Unit 1-2) is under this premises. (measured from Google Earth).
Finance
The initial segment of the Raozan 210 MW Thermal Power Station was established incurring a total expenditure of 664 crore BDT. This project received financial support from the Chinese company, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC). Subsequently, the second unit of the Raozan 210 MW Power Station, also facilitated by CMEC, incurs a total expenditure of 538 crore BDT (DO, 2022).
Sponsor
The power plant is sponsored by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) as a State-owned Power Plant (SOPP) (DO, 2022).
Contractors
Chinese firm China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) was the technical and financial assistance of the power plant (DO, 2022).
Fuel Supply
The gas for the plant is supplied from the Bakhrabad and Feni gas fields and the Sangu offshore field (GEM, 2023).
Power Generation
The power plant consists of two identical gas-fired power units with an initial capacity of 210 MW and a generating capacity of 180 MW each (AA, 2023).
Environment
According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA, 1995). The polluting industries, such as power plants, have to go through 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 found of the power plant.
Criticism
A fire occurred at the Raozan Upazila Thermal Power Plant on 08 April 2019 at night, but the Fire Service and Civil Defense Department successfully controlled it within an hour, and no injuries were reported. The fire incident at the power plant points to potential safety lapses. While the swift response by the Fire Service and Civil Defense averted injuries, the occurrence raises questions about the facility's overall safety measures (DS, 2019). Since its establishment, the initial unit encountered approximately 500 mechanical faults, while the second unit faced around 300. Resuming power generation after unit suspension due to mechanical issues takes a minimum of 72 hours. Notably, neither of the two units has operated at full capacity, generating 210 MW, since their inception (DO, 2022). According to the Environmental Conservation Rule 1997 the project falls in the red category indicating it as potentially polluting sector (MOEFCC 1997)
References
AA (2023). ”Raozan Power Station”. Academic Accelerator: 20 November 2023.
DO (2022). “Offer for 438 MW power plant at Raozan likely to get Cabinet body nod next week”. Daily Observer (DO): 11 August 2022.
DS (2019). ”Fire breaks out at Raozan Thermal Power Plant”. Daily Sun (DS): 08 April, 2019.
GEM (2023). “Rauzan power station”. Global Energy Monitor (GEM): 20 November 2023.
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.