A comprehensive examination of the power plant's trial production has indicated a steady increase in its operational capacity.

According to sources in the Coal Power Generation Company, the nation has seen the emergence of three significant coal-fired power plants thus far. Among these, both units at Payra in Patuakhali are actively generating commercial electricity, while one unit is currently undergoing experimental production at Rampal in Bagerhat. At the Matarbari plant, the Coal Power Generation Company has initiated trial production of 600MW from its first unit, which has a total capacity of 1,200MW.

From a technical perspective, the Matarbari power plant, constructed with Japanese expertise in Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox's Bazar, is anticipated to surpass other facilities. An official from the power department, speaking on condition of anonymity, praised Japan's world-class technology and expressed confidence in the quality of Japanese construction. However, it was emphasized that the contributions of other entities involved in constructing and investing in power plants in Bangladesh should not be underestimated. Notably, the Matarbari power plant was funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) but is wholly owned by the government.

The plant was built by the Coal Power Generation Company, a subsidiary of the Power Development Board (PDB). To facilitate the transport of coal, a channel has been excavated, allowing 50,000-ton ships to deliver coal to the plant. This channel also offers the potential for other coal-fired stations in the country to bring their coal via mother vessels, thereby increasing the center's revenue and financial efficiency. Sources from the Coal Power Generation Company report that, on October 8, the centre produced an impressive 4,756,369 units of electricity, with the first unit achieving an output of up to 358 units of electricity per hour. The center commenced its experimental electricity generation on July 31, a period during which it is meticulously observed for any potential damage or issues.

The same scrutiny is currently being applied to the Matarbari centre as it inches closer to its commercial production date. During this phase, the center's production capacity has been gradually ramped up. Once the commercial production date is set, a committee established by the PDB will oversee the center's continuous operation at full load for 72 consecutive hours. Commercial production will be authorized only if the center can consistently operate at its full capacity. If, for any reason, the plant falls short of running at its maximum load for 72 consecutive hours, its generating capacity will be calculated on the basis of the maximum amount it can produce during this time frame.

The Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited was established in 2011 to construct government-owned coal-based power plants. In pursuit of diversifying the energy landscape in the country's power sector, the Bangladesh government, in collaboration with the Japanese government, developed a master plan prioritizing coal-based power generation. This initiative is aimed at implementing the government's power sector master plan by constructing coal-based power plants through using ultra-super critical technology. When queried about these developments, Mohammad Hossain, Director General of Power Cell, underscored the importance of swiftly bringing large power plants into production, enabling a substantial increase in electricity generation across a broad area. He emphasized the significance of the coal-based power plants and said: “Due to this the progress of the work is being monitored.”

News Link: Power generation from Matarbari plant rising significantly