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Bibiyana 400 MW (BPDB) DFG Power Plant (Unit 3)

  • 2 days ago
  • 4 min read

Current Status: Operation

Source: SICHO


Bibiyana 400 MW Gas Power Plant (Unit-3), also known as Bibiyana-III Power Station, is a Combined Cycle (CC) power plant situated at Parkul in Bibiyana under Nabiganj Upazilla in Habiganj District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.63881, 91.6628). It is sponsored by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) as a State-owned Power Plant (SOPP) for 25 years. The first unit (285 MW) of the power plant started its commercial operation on 6 February 2019 while the second unit (115 MW) on 24 September 2019. As per schedule, the units will retire on 5 February 2044 and 23 September 2044 respectively. Bibiyana-III is a 400 MW combined cycle gas power plant developed by BPDB and L&T, supplying over 3,600 GWh annually to support rural electrification and grid efficiency (EPC Partners, n.d.).


Capacity

The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 410 MW and 400 MW respectively.


Context

In 2016, the Bangladesh Power Development Board had anticipated the commencement of this plants operations. However, due to funding issues and challenges with engineering, procurement, and construction contractors, the commencement date was postponed to September 2019. The open cycle became operational and was commissioned in 2018, followed by the commissioning and initiation of the combined cycle in 2019 (GEM). On 12 September 2021, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated this power plant (DB 24, 2021). The Bibiyana South Combined-Cycle Power Plant, operating on natural gas and designed in a single-shaft configuration. It specifically aims to facilitate the extension of electricity access in the predominantly rural northeastern regions of the country (SICHO).


Land Acquisition

The Project Site spans roughly 25 acres, with about 14 acres designated as a construction 'lay-down' area situated in the northern part of the site (ADB, 2014). The total area of this power plant is approximately 11.29 acres from google earth.


Finance

The project was initially estimated to cost BDT 3,358 crores. Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) granted a loan of BDT 2,361 crores to support its execution. The remaining expenses are covered by BDT 856 crores from government funds and BDT 141 crores from the Power Development Board (BN24, 2013).


Sponsor

The power plant is sponsored by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) which is the sole electricity buyer from private and public power plants in Bangladesh.


Contractor

The commissioning and installation of turbines were managed by the EPC contractor Larsen & Toubro. They collaborated with logistics firms and utilized inland rivers to transport a gas turbine, steam turbine generating unit, and additional equipment.Throughout the construction phase, the project team members and key suppliers coordinated efforts from various countries such as India, the U.S., Ukraine, Germany, Korea, and Singapore. Additionally, decision-makers were stationed in Dhaka to facilitate engineering and design-related discussions during the construction process. As of January 2018, L&T was simultaneously executing two gas-based power projects in Bangladesh the 400 MW Bibiyana III Combined Cycle Power Project and the 400 MW Bibiyana South Combined Cycle Power Project, both for BPDB. (PM, 2018)


Fuel Supply

This power plant  utilises natural gas as its primary fuel source. The power plant will consume 4.167 cubic feet (cf) of gas to generate each unit (kWh) of electricity (RC, 2022).  


Power Generation

The expected Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the power plant was 2016 However, it started commercial operation in 2018 (simple cycle) and  2019 (combined cycle). As per schedule, the power plant will retire in 2044. And the power generation capacity is 400 MW. The design options for the Combined Cycle unit include either a single-shaft arrangement incorporating a Synchronous Self Shifting (SSS) clutch to ensure consistent and dependable simple cycle operation, or a multi-shaft configuration with a 1:1:1 setup (consisting of One Gas Turbine, One Heat Recovery Steam Generator, and One 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). 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 1997 (superseded by ECR 2023) (MOEFCC 1997). The environment around this power plant is polluted very much as well as it harms the ecosystem of that area. The ESIA report includes the evaluation of potential cumulative impacts arising from the Development, encompassing the Bibiyana III Power Plant. Additionally ,ESIA comprehensively assesses the collective environmental and social impacts of the entire Proposed Development, including its associated facilities.


Criticism

The Carbon emission from this powerplant is very high. As natural gas is used as a fuel for this power plant different kinds of toxic gas emit from this power plant. Due to unexpectedly inadequate clay soil conditions at the site, remedial work was necessary, a factor unknown to the contractor prior to arrival. No EIA has been found for this powerplant. 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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