Havoc-wrecking coronavirus pandemic has forced most of the development projects in the power and energy sectors to come to a standstill, bringing socio-economic woes.
Although some small projects are going on, the pace of implementation is very slow. In this situation construction works of all development projects will be delayed. Works on various projects are being rescheduled to cover the losses, according to ministry of power and energy officials.
Officials said there is a link between the delay in construction and the increase in project costs. Therefore, attention is being paid on how to keep the projects costs under control as much as possible.
Sources said the Prime Minister's Office has sent a letter seeking a list of damaged projects in the power and energy sectors. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, in a recent teleconference with officials in the sector, directed that important projects will have to be identified and rescheduled if necessary. He said the projects need to be completed to offset the losses and keep costs under control.
The state minister said, "We have to keep an eye on the completion of all the works within the stipulated time. Therefore, it is necessary to make a list by deciding which projects need to be implemented now.”
According to the concerned sources, initiatives have been taken to implement 104 projects in the power sector and 32 in the energy sector. But most of the projects are now closed due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Sources said most of the mega development projects of the country are in the power and energy sectors. Currently, three mega power plants are going on. Out of these, first unit with 660 megawatt capacity of 1320MW payara power plant has already started its generation recently.
The second unit with same capacity is scheduled to go into operation on next June. But it will be delayed due to lockdown. On the other hand, construction works of Matarbari-1200MW and Rampal-1320MW power plant are also being hampered.
Of these, the first unit of Rampal power plant was scheduled to go into operation in next December. However it will be delayed. Similarly, timely generation of the Matarbari power plant is being doubted to be delayed.
In addition to power plant projects, works on several mega projects of Transmission and Distribution Company are also pending. Among these, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) is constructing a substation at Gopalganj and the work of the biggest project, which will transmit electricity to Dhaka from Payra power plant, is being hampered in this situation.
An official of PGCB said "Currently we have about 20 projects, most of which are closed. We work mainly from November to May. It goes without saying that there is no work in the rainy season. Even though we are supposed to work from now, but we can't do it.”
PGCB managing director Golam Kibria told The Bangladesh Post that "Most of the projects are closed now. Work is going on a very limited scale in some places. The government now wants to support us to starting work. But the problem is that most of our contractors are foreigners. They have gone to their respective countries. Those who are here also do not want to start work out of fear.”
'At the moment work is going on in Baghabari and Khulna regions. We are trying to motivate the contractors and stakeholders to resume works. We told them that we will ensure all types of support. We are thinking about how to get work done faster by following the hygiene rules,” he said.
Power division sources said PGCB and DPDC had two major loan agreements with Exim Bank of China. The loan was expected to be delayed as the situation worsened in China late last year. Now the situation in China is normal but our situation is worse.
Meanwhile, a single point mooring terminal is being constructed to bring oil from the sea. Chinese workers are building the pipeline in the sea. Work on this project is also going on slowly. Besides, the construction of another pipeline from Godnail in Narayanganj to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport has come to a standstill. Construction works of Bangladesh-India oil pipeline and Dhaka-Chittagong pipeline are also not progressing.
A BPC official said it is very difficult to work unless the situation becomes normal. Now the contractors are not able to bring in workers from outside the country, just as the workers of the country are not able to work due to security reasons.
