Bangladesh to modernize 15 power plants

Power Development Board is working to modernize 27 units of 15 old power plants.

Due to frequent power price hike the government has given clearance to PDB to start modernization of these plants.

Among the gas-fueled power plants are four units of gas-based Ghorashal steam turbine, three units of Haripurgas turbine, one unit of Chittagong steam turbine, one unit of Shikalbaha steam turbine, three units of Fenchuganj combined cycle gasturbines, one unit of Sylhet gas turbine and one of Baghabari gas turbine will be repaired.

Among furnace oil-based powerstations are two units of Khulna steam turbine and two of diesel-run Barisal gasturbine, three of Bheramara gas turbine, one of Rangpur gas turbine and anotherone of Syedpur gas turbinewill be refurbished.

Aside from these, three units ofthe Karnaphuli power plant will be repaired.

Chairman of PDB A S M Alamgir Kabir said that they hope to produce around 1,615MW from these plants upon modernization.

Experts said that the government earlier had shown interest to build up rental power plants, ignoring modernisation the old power plants.

Due to excessive dependence on oil and furnace of oil based rental power plants, adequate power supply furtherbecame uncertain, they added.

Before enhancing power price thegovernment is eager to add more electricity in the national grid line toovercome the mass discontent, experts said.

The PDB officials also said that they are going for the repair work as the power supply has improved. The mending of one unit is underway and the work on the rest will begin in September thisyear which will end byDecember 2014.

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