CHATTOGRAM, Sept 26: Two units of Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project with the generation capacity of 1200 MW set up at a cost of taka 51,854.88 crore are now generating only 600 MW daily, according to Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) sources.
The Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) implemented Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project at a cost of Tk 51,854.88 crore.
The generation capacity of the two units is 1,200 MW, or 600 MW of each unit.
CPGCBL sources said that both the units went into operation, but they generate power only at a half their capacity.
CBGCBL sources said that due to low demand the two units do not generate power at full capacity.
But the country is now reeling under shortage of power causing frequent load shedding.
Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir during his recent visit described the Matarbari 1200 MW Power Plant as a "luxury project."
He criticised the plant at a press conference at the Cox's Bazar hill top Circuit House.
He said the plant provided no benefit to the people.
He said that the original project of providing connection to deep-sea ports, industries, railways and roads has not materialised.
He said the interim government should focus on smaller, more community-oriented projects and avoid big ventures like the Matarbari plant.
The Adviser said that that the cost of the plant was increased to Tk 57,000 crore from Tk 36,00 crore, due to mega corruption during implementation.
He said that the allegation of the corruption would be investigated.
The interim government relieved the Managing Director of the plant and appointed a new MD.
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is holding investigation.
On August 31, there was an attempt to illegally transport 56 tonnes of unused cables worth approximately Tk17.07 crore using three containers.
In this connection, CPGCBL assistant security officer Mirzanul Hasan filed a case against six accused, including the project director and managing director Abul Kalam Azad, on September 1 with Maheshkhali Police Station. Police arrested two employees of Iqbal Marine for their involvement with the offence.
Meanwhile, the Ahsanul Kabir Palash Deputy Director of ACC filed a case against six officials of Matarbari Power plant with the Cox's Bazar ACC office on September 25. The accused are; former MD and Project Director Abul Kalam Azad, Assistant Manager M Alfazuddin, Seciruty Chief M Raihan, M Iqbal Hussain proprietor of Iqbal Marine, employees M Nizamuddin and M Selim.
The 1,200MW power project, costing Tk51,854 crore, was constructed on 1,414 acres of land in Matarbari and Dhalghata Unions of Cox's Bazar District. One 600MW unit began production in July 2023 while another in December.
After the fall of the Awami League government, various allegations of corruption in implementation of Matarbari power plant surfaced.
The Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant Project was implemented with funding from JICA.
Japan's Sumitomo, Toshiba, and IHI collaborated as a consortium with POSCO E&C to implement the project.
