With the aim to ensuring maximum utilization of gas and optimum generation of power, the government has launched a project for re-powering the fourth unit of Ghorashal power plant.
“The fourth unit of Ghorashal power plant would be converted into combine-cycle technology from the existing single-cycle unit under the repowering project,” said Planning Minister A H M Mustafa Kamal.
Nearly 70 per cent machineries would be replaced to extend the life-span of the power plant, which would also boost generation and bring stability in the power management, he added.
Planning minister said the government has adopted the project as part its goal of bringing all the villages in the country under power coverage in line with “Vision-2021”.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is entrusted to implement the project by June, 2019 with a cost of Taka 2029 crore.
Apart from the government’s funding of Taka 222 crore, World Bank (WB) would provide Taka 1686 crore as project assistance and the BPDB will contribute Taka 120 crore from its own.
The main goal of the re-powering of the fourth unit is to meet the growing demand of power, bring stability in the power management and increase reliability.
Planning minister officials said the steam turbine of the fourth unit of Ghorashal power plant was installed in 1989 with capacity of 210 MW, but now the generation came down to 180 MW. Besides, the life-cycle of the unit is almost near to end that is why the government has decided to replace its old machineries to extend life-span as well production capacity of the unit.
Under the project, diesel generator, gas turbine generator and gas booster compressor would be replaced while necessary rehabilitation of the existing steam turbine unit would be carried out. In addition, existing power evacuation system would be renovated while new evacuation system would also be created for new gas turbine.