Energy experts at a discussion emphasized extraction of the country’s coal resources and appreciated the timely implementation of Payra coal-fired power plant saying the debate on coal will end once the Payra project becomes a success.
Those who have created controversy, mislead people giving wrong information about coal project, and put the project in challenges, are welcomed to visit the plant to experience how the plant is being running maintaining various environmental aspects, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamidsaid.
Nasrul Hamid was addressing a webinar titled “EP Talks: Payra Power Plant: An Example of Timely Execution” organized by Energy & Poweron Saturday.
Energy experts Prof. M Tamim, Professor Firoz Alam, and KhondokerSalek Sufi, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman EngBelayet Hossain, North-West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) Managing Director & CEO AM KhurshedulAlam, mining engineer Dr Mushfiqur Rahman, Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain, and Associate Professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and TechnologyDr KaziBayzid Kabir, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Nasrul Hamid saidPayra project has been completed within 21 months. It is an example for implementation of large projects in the country. Regarding extraction of own coal, he said, we have recently completed feasibility study of Dighipara coal field. The study shows only 10% of coal can be extracted using underground mining method, which is not feasible.
“In Barapukuria, we are slowly extracting coal, about 4/5 thousand tonnes and not possible to extraction more. So, I think considering these studies the hope is slim to establish large coal-based power plants at the mine mouth based on own coal. It is also almost impossible to transport own coal extracted by underground mining method using the railway system and better not to consider. We are now planning for future how to generate low cost uninterrupted power using mix fuels,” he added.
Shah Abdul MoulaHelal, Project Director of Payra coal-fired power plant, made the presentation while MollahAmzad Hossain, Editor of Energy & Power, chaired and moderated the webinar.
Initiating the discussion MollahAmzad said they usually cannot implement large project in time. However, Payra coal fired power project is an exception and set a milestone for timely implementation.
Shah Abdul Maula Helalin his presentation saidthe project is a success story but there are still some challenges in coal transportation and power evacuation.
DrKaziBayzid Kabirsaidthis project has created a path for coal fired power plant in the country and lot will depend on the success for future coal fired power. It is also important to disseminate the success story of coal fired power properly to eliminate unnecessary fear about coal. There will be no debate on coal once people understand the role of coal fired power in the economy of the country, he added.
DrMushfiqur Rahman saidit seems from the coal-based projects in the pipeline that Bangladesh will need to import 20 million tonnes of coal annually within few years. However, insufficient import infrastructure coupled with tendency of rapid siltation in the offshore areas is going to make this a costly venture.
Therefore, they need to focus on own coal to keep open an alternative supply chain. He said, we need to take immediate initiative for extraction of high-qualitycoal deposits in the northern region of the country; otherwise will risk falling in the trap of international coal trade and import infrastructure barriers, he added.
Energy expert Khondhoker Abdus Salek Sufi saidit is a milestone project and can be exemplary to other projects. Those who have different views on coal fired power plant will relieve most of their concerns.
Own coal needs to be extracted and transported using railway system; the capacity of Matarbari coal port also need to be expanded to face the challenges of coal transportation. If coal cost increases due higher transportation cost, it wouldn’t be possible to get low cost power from coal, he added.
Engineer Belayet Hossainsaidalthough capacity cost of Ultra Super Critical Coal based power plant is high, in the long run it is profitable. Whilethe energy cost for oil-based power plant is 8 to 8.50 taka, the same for coal fired power plant is 2.50 taka.
As our gas is depleting fast and also energy is import dependent, so it is not the right approach to depend on mono fuel. Therefore,along with LNG based power, coal-based power project is the best alternative for us, he added.
Prof M Tamim appreciated timely implementation of the project and proper resettlement of the affected people. Regarding transportation of own coal to ensure supply, he said, I don’t find any logic to transport coal to so far distances.
It is better to establish coal fired power plant at the mine mouth if we decide extraction of own coal. Import infrastructure will be a big challenge for the government to implement its plan for coal fired power projects, he added.
