Matarbari coal-fired power project gets costlier

GBNEWS24DESK//

The Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) on Tuesday cleared the first revision of Matarbari 2X600 MW Ultra Supercritical Coal Fired Power Project, raising its cost by Tk 15,870 crore and extending the deadline up to December 2026 from June 2023.

The approval came from the weekly ECNEC meeting held virtually with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair, reports UNB.

The Prime Minister joined the meeting from her official residence Ganabhaban, while others got connected from the NEC conference room.

“The meeting approved 10 development projects involving an estimated cost of Tk 29,344.27 crore (only additional costs of revised projects counted),” said Planning Minister MA Mannan while briefing reporters after the meeting.

Of the total cost, Tk 11,003.30 crore will come from government funds, while the rest of Tk 18,932.04 crore from foreign sources as loans, he said.

Of the approved projects, seven are new while three are revised ones, he said.

The cost of the Matarbari project now stands at Tk 51,854.88 crore against the original amount of Tk 35,984.46. The project deadline was extended till December 2026 from June 2023.

Regarding the project, State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam said the Prime Minister suggested forming a development authority in Matarbari for the overall management since various development operations are being carried out there centering the coal-fired power plant.

About the additional cost involvement of Tk 15,870.42 crore in the Matarbari coal-fired power plant, Planning Commission Member Sharifa Khan said the additional cost would mainly ensure deep seaport facilities there.

Around 98 per cent of the additional cost there would be utilized for ensuring deep seaport facilities, she said.

Sharifa said there is no problem of coordination regarding implementation of the project while the power plant is expected to go into operation in 2024.