Barishal power plants’ generation declines

BARISHAL, Sept 5: Nine power plants in the Barishal region have a combined installed capacity of 3,470 megawatts (mw), but actual generation remains well below forecast levels, according to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) data.

During the daytime peak on August 25, the forecast was 2,718 mw, while actual generation was 2,104.15 mw  �" a shortfall of 613.85 MW, or 22.6 per cent.

The gap was similar during the evening peak. Against a forecast of 2,817 MW, actual generation was 2,256 MW, leaving a shortfall of 561 MW, or 19.9 per cent.

The plants’ combined derated capacity �" the amount they can effectively generate under current conditions �" was 3,312 MW, 158 MW below their installed capacity. Three plants accounted for most of the daytime shortfall.

The 1,320 MW Payra power plant in Patuakhali was forecast to generate 810 MW but produced 570 MW, a shortfall of 240 MW. The 150 MW United Payra Power Ltd plant generated just 17 MW against a 150 MW forecast, falling 133 MW short.

The 307 MW Barishal Electric Power Plant in Taltali generated 200 MW against a 307 MW forecast, a shortfall of 107 MW. Together, the three plants fell 480 MW short, accounting for nearly 78 per  cent of the total daytime deficit.

BPDB data from August 20 also showed several plants operating below capacity. Payra’s installed capacity was reported at 1,244 MW, with a derated capacity of 1,086 MW, while generation ranged from 657 MW to 735 MW.

The Taltali plant, with an installed and derated capacity of 307 MW, generated between 200 MW and 230 MW. A 194 MW plant in Bhola generated 117 MW, while another 220 MW plant produced between 180 MW and 200 MW. Summit’s 110 MW plant in Barishal sometimes generated no electricity, with its highest output at 16 MW.

The BPDB has cited fuel supply problems and shortages of coal and gas at different times. Transmission constraints have also affected generation and supply in the southwest. The Power Division has not provided a specific explanation for the August 25 shortfall.

Power Division data show some areas experiencing load shedding eight to ten times a day, with electricity unavailable for about 10 hours daily. Demand in six districts served by the Barishal National Grid substation is about 550-600 MW, while supply is around 300-350 MW �" a deficit of roughly 45 percent to 50 percent.

Akhtaruzzaman Palash, executive engineer of the Barishal Electricity Department, said power generated in the southern region is fed into the national grid rather than being allocated directly to the six districts.