The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The government has failed to make any headway in implementing any of the four large independent power producer (IPP) projects, envisaged to ease the electricity supply situation, a major problem facing the nation.

Shortly after assuming power the caretaker government decided to implement the 450MW Bibiyana, 450MW Sirajganj, 450MW Menghnahgat phase-II and 450MW Meghnaghat phase-III power plants.

Contracts for all the plants were supposed to be completed and signed by this month. But the Power Division could not make headway on any of the projects till today, officials said.

Sources in FBCCI termed as 'incredible' the failure of the caretaker government to make headway for implementing any of the four power projects during the last two years.

They estimated the power shortage would run into 2,500MW within next few months affecting production in the fields and factories.

The situation will leave a severe strain on the new government installed after the December 29 national election.

Power Cell, reform implementation wing of the Power Division, had invited tender for the Bibiyana power project. A lone company, Malaysia-based Powertek Berhad, took part in the bidding. But the Cabinet Purchase Committee finally rejected the offer due to high tariff. Power Cell has moved for inviting fresh tender.

About the Sirajganj project, officials said, repeated tenders failed to attract any of the international power companies. A move is on for inviting a fresh tender, fourth in the series, for the project in last ten years.