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Dhaka Friday,  Mar 29, 2024

ADB Gives $500m for State-of-the-Art Power Plant in Khulna

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Bangladesh today signed agreements for $500 million in loans to develop a state-of-the-art 800-megawatt (MW) power plant in Khulna, along with associated connections to natural gas and power transmission facilities.

Additional secretary (ADB Wing), of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Muhammad Alkama Siddiqui and Manmohan Parkash, Country Director, ADB, signed the loan agreements on behalf of Bangladesh and ADB, respectively, at a ceremony at the ERD in the city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area.

“This megaproject builds on ADB’s strong and sustained presence in the power sector of Bangladesh, and it will use the latest proven combined cycle technology, which offers the highest efficiency to convert gas to electricity,” said the ADB country director.

“ADB places higher importance on introducing new and high-impact technologies to benefit member countries. This will be a state-of-the-art power plant using the latest zero-liquid discharge technology, making it the first of its kind in Bangladesh,” he added.

Highlighting benefits of the project, Parkash also said it will provide additional electricity supply to about 300,000 consumers, create new jobs, and stimulate business expansion.

This environment friendly project will significantly improve energy security and enhance availability of efficient and cleaner energy.

To supply gas to the Rupsha power plant, the project will construct 12 kilometers (km) of gas distribution pipelines, and finance construction of a 230-kilovolt switchyard and 29-km of high capacity transmission lines to transfer generated electricity to the national grid.

The project will also help in institutional strengthening of the executing agency, the North-West Power Generation Company Limited, by implementing a modern enterprise resource planning system, and providing training for implementation and operation of the system.

Besides, grant financing of $1.5 million will also be provided from ADB’s Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, funded by the Government of Japan, to improve living standards in nearby communities.

Focusing on vulnerable households and women, activities will include increasing awareness about safe and efficient use of electricity, training on livelihood and job opportunities, and providing school laboratory facilities.

The total cost of the project is $1.14 billion, with the Islamic Development Bank contributing $300 million in cofinancing and the government contributing $338.5 million. The project is due to be completed by the end of June 2022.

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