Banskhali coal power plant to start operating by December: Chinese ambassador

The Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming today (June 2, 2022) said the 1,224 megawatt coal fired SS power plant's first unit will start generating electricity by December in Banshkhali upazila's Gondamara union.

Around 90 percent of the construction work has been completed, he said citing project officials.

The first unit with a capacity of 660 MW will go into operation by December 30 and the second unit will be inaugurated in January 2023.

Photo: Rajib Raihan

"This is my first time here in this power plant. A lot of power plant like these are being built with the help of Chinese people and Chinese teams. And this is the second which is going to be completed very soon…," the ambassador told reporters after visiting the power plant.

With a cost of 2.6 billion dollars, SS Power Plant I is a joint venture of six companies of S Alam Group (holding 70 percent of the equity), SEPCOIII Electric Power Construction Corporation, China and HTG Development Group Co Ltd, China, according to the official website of S Alam group.

Questioned about the environmental impact of the coal-fired power plant in the locality, the ambassador said, "High-tech technology was used in the plant which is known as supercritical technology which is state-of-the art. So, there will only be CO2 mission…"

Senior officials of S Alam group were present during the visit.