Local experts repair a unit, save forex worth Tk 10 cr

The 150 MW power plant-3 (inset) of Ashuganj Power Station Company Ltd resumed functioning in full swing on March 18 as local engineers and technicians successfully completed its renovation in four months. Company authorities said the accomplishment, first of its kind by local experts in the country, saved foreign currency worth Tk 10 crore.Photo: STAR

Engineers and technicians of Ashuganj Power Station Company Limited (APSCL) have successfully renovated its 150 MW power unit-3 in four months.
The work comprising change of the turbine blades is first of its kind by local experts in the country and saved foreign currency worth Tk 10 crore, said APSCL sources.
The work started on November 14 last year and after its successful completion, the renovated unit resumed power generation in full swing on March 18.
It became essential to change the turbine blades and other faulty equipment of unit-3 that saw frequent closures since 2009, APSCL sources said.
To renovate the unit, APSCL authorities approached a Garman company that demanded Tk 10 crore as their service charge.
They proposed that a team of 22 foreign engineers, technicians and assistants would work for 100 days at APSCL and they would change the faulty blades and other parts according to their own plan.
As they would not follow instructions of APSCL authorities, the renovation cost was likely to be higher if 'less essential' pieces of equipment were changed.
The foreigners also informed that the work for changing the blades at the spot would create high power vibration that might cause damage to the unit and so, a separate manufacturing place might be needed for the purpose. Even the turbine would have to be sent abroad to fit the blades properly, they said.
Later the engineers and technicians of APSCL headed by its Managing Director (MD) engineer Md Nurul Alam took decision to renovate the unit locally with their own staff.
After taking approval from the high authorities, the MD started the renovation with five engineers and 15 technicians and successfully completed the work in 120 days. The work cost only Tk 15 lakh.
"Change of the turbine blades with local engineers and technicians on the plant premises has been done for the first time in our country. The renovated unit is now functioning well," he said.