Desk Report:
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has visited the 1,200 MW Matarbari Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Based Power Plant located in Matarbari, Maheshkhali Upazila of Cox’s Bazar. During the visit, he emphasized on the maximum and efficient use of existing infrastructure, transparency and accountability in project management, regular maintenance and long-term integrated energy planning to ensure the country’s electricity and energy security.
As per the tour schedule, the Prime Minister landed at the helipad of Matarbari Power Plant by helicopter at 10:45 am on Sunday (August 9). Later, she went to the administrative building of the project.
From 11:00 am to 12:15 pm, the Prime Minister received a detailed briefing on the overall activities of the project. During this time, the concerned officials informed her about the current status of the power plant, power generation and operation activities, production capacity, fuel supply and management, plant operational efficiency, maintenance, security arrangements and related infrastructure. At the same time, the future plans of the project were also highlighted.
During the briefing, the Prime Minister learned that the Matarbari Power Plant is being operated by 100 percent local engineers and manpower. Expressing satisfaction with this, she praised the skills and capabilities of the local engineers and related staff and encouraged them.
During the inspection, the Prime Minister planted a neem sapling in the project area.
The Matarbari Power Plant has a total generation capacity of 1,200 MW, consisting of two 600 MW units. Modern ultra-supercritical technology has been used in it. In addition to the power plant, the project includes port facilities for coal transportation, power transmission lines, access roads and other related infrastructure. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided loan assistance for the implementation of the project.
After the briefing, the Prime Minister went out to inspect various installations of the project and the proposed project area on the spot at 12:15 pm.
At 12:25 PM, he left for the site inspection of the proposed 70 MW solar power project and reached there at 12:29 PM. The concerned officials informed him about the plan and potential production capacity of the proposed solar power project.
In the same area, the Prime Minister was also shown the designated site for the proposed LNG-based power plant, metrochemical project and new refinery.
Then, he inspected the LPG, LNG and coal terminal-related infrastructure and the proposed project area. He took detailed information from the concerned officials about the plans and future use of these projects and gave specific opinions and directions on various issues.
Later, the Prime Minister visited the Coal Jetty. From there, he observed various installations of the Matarbari Deep Sea Port, LNG Terminal and the power plant. He was also informed about the port infrastructure required for coal transportation and unloading and its integrated activities with the power plant.
In addition, the Prime Minister inspected the proposed temporary LPG Jetty and the designated site for setting up coal power plants No. 3 and 4 in the future. The concerned officials presented the possible plans and infrastructure issues of these projects before her.
By 12:55 pm, the Prime Minister completed her inspection of various installations and proposed project areas of the project. During this time, she emphasized the need to ensure diversity of energy sources while meeting the country’s growing electricity demand.
The Prime Minister said that economic efficiency, environmental impact and long-term interests of the people should be given utmost importance in power generation and operation of large infrastructure. At the same time, she emphasized on increasing the effectiveness and economic benefits of the projects by ensuring maximum use of existing infrastructure.
The Prime Minister also emphasized on the integrated development of power, energy, deep sea port and related industrial infrastructure, focusing on Matarbari. She mentioned that the planned and effective use of these infrastructures will play an important role in the country’s energy security, industrialization and overall economic activities.
One of the objectives of the Matarbari project is to increase the country’s stable power supply and strengthen energy security. Along with the power plant, the related infrastructure including coal transportation ports, transmission lines, access roads are important parts of this large project.
During the visit, the Prime Minister was accompanied by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmud Tuku, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, State Minister for Power and Energy Anindya Islam Amit, the Prime Minister’s entourage Security Advisor Brigadier General Shamsul Islam, Additional Press Secretary Atiqur Rahman Rumon and Special Political Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha, and relevant officials.
After the visit, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman left Matarbari by helicopter at 1:05 pm.
