Kalapara awaits another 1,320MW power plant

Another coal-based power plant is being set up in Dhankhali area under Kalapara of Patuakhali district to generate 1,320 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

The plant will cost an estimated Tk 20,000 crore with joint investment from Bangladesh's Rural Power Company and China's Norinco International Cooperation.

It will generate electricity at Tk 6 per unit, officials said.

With about 27 per cent of the infrastructure development work already been completed, the plant is scheduled to start production in February 2023.

Construction of another coal-based power plant of the same capacity started in the same area in January 2020.

Of the cost, Tk 869 crore will be spent for land acquisition and development and rehabilitation of 281 families, Md Selim Bhuiyan, executive director for the associated works, told journalists at the project site last week.

A total of 915.74 acres of land have been acquired in Londa, Dhankhali and Nishanbaria at a cost of Tk 164.61 crore, he said.

Every 3 paisa per unit of electricity generated will be deposited in a development fund to improve the area and living standards of its people. Moreover, those with the merit will get job opportunities at the plant, he said.

The Department of Environment issued its clearance for the project in August 2017, he said. The project director, Md Tawfiq Islam, was also present.