The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

A 40MW rental oil-fired power plant is expected to start production in coming May, said Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Dr M Tamim said.

"If everything goes as planned, production will begin on May 28," he said while addressing a meeting with officials of the West Zone Power Distribution Company in Khulna city.

He also informed that the present Government has a plan to set up coal-burnt power plants in Khulna and Chittagong. Work in this regard is progressing, he added.

He stressed that coal-based power plants would resolve the crisis of power in the southwestern part of the country.

"There is no scope to set up power plants run by gas. Khulna and Rauzan in Chittagong are the best places for coal-based power plants," he added.

"Tender has already been floated for setting up a 210-MW power plant in Khulna," he further added.

According to him, some 3,900MW power is being generated daily in the country at present, against the demand of 4,800- 5,000MW during the peak hours, he told the meeting.

Moreover, works on setting up a number of rental power plants are going on, the CA's special assistant said. He also added that, rental power generation in the country would increase by 200MW by next May, which would be raised by some 1,000MW by the end of current year," he said.

"If anybody wants to produce power and sell to other districts, he will be allowed to use the transmission line of the Power Development Board. They will have to pay charges for it," said Dr M Tamim.