Power Plant

Power shortage has been identified as a critical bottleneck to the economic development of Bangladesh. Less than half the population of around 160 million have regular access to electricity. Most of the country's power is generated by gas.

Asia Energy has submitted a proposal to the GoB to build up to 1000 MW of coal-fired power generating capacity alongside the mine. The proposal was formally lodged with the Bangladesh Board of Investment on 6 October 2005. At that time, construction of the initial 500 MW stage one plant was estimated to cost US$ 475 million.

The initial 500 MW plant will generate 3,700 GWh a year and will burn 1.5 million tonnes a year of thermal coal, one tenth of the Phulbari coal mine output. The proposed plant will firmly establish coal as a viable source of energy in Bangladesh. It presents an opportunity to generate electricity from a natural resource other than gas and imported oil, and it will help ease the country's chronic power shortage.

The power plant will be designed, constructed and operated to international standards, utilising modern pollution prevention methods to meet both local and relevant international environmental emission limits.

Asia Energy was supported in the preparation of the proposal and plant design by Aldwych International Ltd, a power plant development company based in the United Kingdom and by a team including Black and Veatch International Ltd and O&M Solutions (Bangladesh) Ltd.