Haripur 110 MW (NEPC) Dual Fuel Power Plant

Current Status: Retired

Representational Photo: Construction Week

Haripur 110 MW Gas Power Plant, also known as NEPC Haripur Power Plant, was a berge-mounted reciprocating engine-based power plant situated near the Sitalakhya River of Haripur under Bandar Upazila in Narayanganj District of Bangladesh (Location: 23.6868, 90.5286). It was sponsored by NEPC Consortium Limited, a subsidiary of US-based New England Power Company (NEPC) under Quantum Group, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 15 years. The sponsor declared it Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 30 June 1999, and, as per schedule, the power plant was to retire on 29 June 2014. But BPDB extended the period for one year, and it was finally retired in 2015.

Capacity

The gross and net capacity of the power plant is 110MW and 100MW respectively. So the capacity of the power plant is MW 110 (±9%)

Context

On 10 March 1998, NEPC Consortium Limited, a subsidiary of US-based New England Power Company (NEPC) under Quantum Group signed Power Purchase Agreement as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 15 years (DS, 2015). The power plant was to start its commercial operation in April, 1999 (TDS, 1999). The power plant came into commercial operation on 30 June 1999, and, as per schedule, the power plant was to retire on 29 June 2014. But the power plant extended its tenure one year on 29 June 2014, and it was finally retired in 2015  (DS, 2015).

Land Acquisition

The power plant has taken  approx.  3.63 acres of land (Calculated via Google Earth).

Finance

The project cost about BDT 11.6 crore and the Equity Investment was BDT 3.82 crore.  Overseas Private Insurance Corporation (OPIC) provided an external debt to the project.

Sponsors

NEPC Consortium Limited sponsored the power plant. The power plant is a fully owned subsidiary of US-based Quantum Group. The Group sold NEPC’s major share to El Paso Energy International (a subsidiary of US-based El Paso Corporation), Covanta Energy Limited (a Subsidiary of US-based Covanta Holding Corporation), and Wärtsilä NSD Corporation (a subsidiar3y of Finland-based Wärtsilä Corporation)

Contractors

The Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor of the power plant is Wärtsilä Corporation.

Fuel Supply

The power plant used Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) primarily but later changed the fuel to Domestic Fossil Gas (DFG).

Power Generation

The power plant could generate 110 MW of electricity.

Environment

Compliance with Section 12 of the 1995 Bangladesh Environment Protection Act required industries, including potentially polluting entities like power plants, to undergo both an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as specified in the 1997 Environmental Conservation Rules  (MOLJPA 1995; MOEFCC, 1997).  The absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the power plant in the past raised concerns. An environmentally conscious alternative involves implementing a carbon tax and transitioning towards renewable energy sources. 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

• DS (2015). “Deal with 110MW Haripur plant may see one-yr extension”. Daily Sun (DS):  01 July 2015

• TDS (1999). “Smith Co likely to face termination of contract”. The Daily Star (TDS): 23 January 1999

• MOEFCC (1997). “The Environment Conservation Rules, 1997” The Environment Conservation Rules: 27 August, 1997.

• MOEFCC (2023). “The Environmental Conservation Rules”. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 5 March 2023.

• MOLJPA (1995). Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MOLJPA): 16 February 1995.