Energy Bangla

Aiming to add 5,500 MW of electricity to the national grid in the next 10 years, the government will create new “power hubs” by re-structuring three existing power stations at Ghorasal (Narsingdi), Baghabari (Sirajganj) and Goalpara (Khulna).
Presently, these three power stations generate about 1,500 MW on about 300 acres of land. But most of the plants are getting old losing their actual generation capacities, said State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid.
He added that the under construction three new plants at Moheskhali, Matarbari and Paira will also be accommodated in the hub.
Nasrul Hamid on Thursday announced the plan at a press conference at his Ministry.
“We have already conducted a study on the matter and prepared a master plan in this regard. This plan will be implemented in three phases and it would require an investment of Tk 43,000 crore,” he told journalists.
He said the government has prepared a draft policy of the three hubs in cooperation with the Power Cell of the Power Division.
Prior to the press conference, the Power Cell, which conducted the study on the power hubs, made a presentation at the Power Division`s conference room, senior officials of the Power Division were present on the occasion.
The State Minister said all the power plants in the new hub will be dual-fuel-based as they will use gas or liquid fuel to generate electricity.
“To run these plants we are planning to import 3,500 million cubic feet (mmcf) of gas per day to feed the new power plants,” he added.
“But until the gas is available, these plants will use liquid petroleum as source of energy,” he told journalists responding to a question as to why costly dual-fuel system is going to be used in the plants if gas is being imported for them.