SS Power Plant, situated in the Gandamara area of Banshkhali, Chittagong, is poised to make a significant impact on the region's energy landscape.
Despite facing operational challenges, stakeholders express optimism about the plant playing a crucial role in meeting the surging demand for uninterrupted power supply this summer.
Construction work, completed years ago, has resulted in supplying electricity for the last six months. However, despite having a ready transmission line connected to the national grid, insufficient sub-grid capacity hampers the full commissioning of the cost-effective power plant, producing electricity at Tk10-12 per megawatt. Officials anticipate overcoming these challenges by May, enabling the utilization of the plant's full capacity.
Currently, only one unit, with a capacity of 660MW, has been supplying electricity since January 2023. Now officials hope that both units are expected to be commissioned as summer electricity demand rises.
SS Power Plant, a joint venture between Bangladesh and China, boasts a capacity of 1,320MW. Costing Tk28,000 crore, the plant currently supplies 451MW to the national grid.
With the completion of the 400KV Madunaghat substation in Chittagong between April and May, the plant aims to supply its entire electricity output to the national grid. This development will be augmented by an additional phase starting in September.
SS Power's advisor, ASM Alamgir Kabir, sees the power plant as a historic milestone for Bangladesh, particularly in producing affordable electricity. Kabir highlights the cost-effectiveness of electricity production, potentially saving the government over Tk1,144 crore per month when fully operational.
In preparation for uninterrupted power supply and generation during the summer, the power plant’s authorities are already taking proactive measures.
Ebadat Hossain Bhuiyan, chief financial officer (CFO) of the power plant, acknowledges challenges due to the rising dollar price and coal import issues. Despite these challenges, Bhuiyan emphasizes the government's gradual payment of dues, amounting to approximately Tk1,700 crore.
The project area showcases significant infrastructure, including a coal unloading jetty, a 275-metre-high coloured chimney, and specialized facilities for coal handling. Advanced environmental measures include Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems, minimizing carbon emissions by 99.87%.
Two silos for ash storage, an Ashpond covering 80 acres, and protective measures against natural disasters like cyclones or floods underscore the project's commitment to sustainability.
S Alam Group, the parent company, plans to build another 3,000MW power plant in Banshkhali with a focus on renewable energy. The ambitious project, costing around $3 billion, includes a significant contribution from solar power, aligning with the growing global emphasis on sustainable energy sources.
Authorities anticipate implementing the project by 2027.
The coastal area of Banshkhali, once reliant on salt cultivation, has undergone a transformation since the establishment of the SS Power Plant. Director SM Alamgir Kabir notes that the project has elevated the standard of living for locals, reducing unemployment from 50% to below 20%.
The project has not only provided economic opportunities but has also led to infrastructural improvements and changed livelihoods in the region.