The 525-megawatt Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, has remained shut for seven consecutive days, bringing electricity generation to a complete halt and plunging several northern districts into frequent power cuts and low-voltage problems.
Officials said efforts are underway to restart the plant’s first unit within a week, though other units may take longer to resume operation.
The first 125MW unit went offline on October 19 around 8:30pm due to a mechanical failure.
Three days earlier, on October 16, the 275MW third unit had shut down after four turbine governor valve steam sensors were damaged.
The second unit has been non-operational since November 2020, undergoing prolonged renovation with no clear timeline for completion.
Before the latest shutdown, the first unit produced 50–55MW and the third unit 160–165MW, feeding the national grid and helping stabilize power supply in the northern region.
Long-running technical woes
Sources at the plant said while the first unit may resume generation shortly, there is still no confirmed date for the third unit’s restart.
The plant’s Chinese manufacturer, Harbin International, has been contacted for repairs.
Chief Engineer Abu Bakkar Siddique told Dhaka Tribune that the first unit could resume within a week.
“The third unit requires detailed testing to prevent further damage. Harbin engineers will begin repairs once the system cools down,” he said.
The second unit, he added, has been idle for five years and would require major repairs costing $23 million—more than the original combined installation cost of the first two units ($22 million).
Established in 2006 at Hamidpur Union in Parbatipur, the Barapukuria power plant began with two 125MW units. A third 275MW unit was added in 2017, bringing the total capacity to 525MW.
However, the plant has rarely operated at full capacity due to persistent mechanical problems and maintenance delays.
Blackouts hit homes, farms, and industries
Despite being connected to the national grid, the Barapukuria plant plays a crucial role in maintaining power stability across northern Bangladesh.
Its shutdown has worsened load-shedding in Parbatipur and at least eight surrounding districts.
Residents report daily outages lasting hours, with voltage drops disrupting household appliances and industries.
The Parbatipur Palli Bidyut Samiti, which serves about 80,000 consumers, said it is receiving only 3–4MW against a demand of 6–7MW.
In Dinajpur town alone, power supply falls short by about 4MW, according to the Northern Electricity Supply Company (Nesco).
Rising temperatures of 32–33°C have intensified public discomfort.
Rural areas are facing longer outages, affecting rice mills, irrigation systems, and small businesses.
Farmers fear that the power crisis will disrupt irrigation during the upcoming winter vegetable and Boro seasons, driving up costs and crop prices.
Shahidur Rahman Patowary Mohan, director of the Dinajpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said the situation is unacceptable.
“One unit has been shut for five years and the other two operate intermittently. Without stable electricity, both Boro cultivation and local industries suffer,” he said. “The authorities must immediately repair the idle units.”
Resident Abdul Malek described the daily struggle: “Electricity can go off at any time—morning, night, or dawn—and often takes hours to return. It’s unbearable in this heat.”
High costs and coal dependency
The Barapukuria plant depends on coal from the nearby Barapukuria Coal Mine, which currently holds about 460,000 tons in reserve.
Running all three units simultaneously would require around 5,200 tons of coal daily, though the plant has never achieved full operation.
The third unit, now idle, previously supplied 140–150MW to the national grid each day, consuming about 1,600 tons of coal. The first unit used 700–800 tons daily to produce 40–50MW.
The plant’s chronic breakdowns have become a pattern. In February this year, power generation halted entirely for five days before resuming.
Another major shutdown in July affected both operating units. Each time, authorities have blamed technical failures, requiring assistance from Harbin International for repairs.
As the region endures another round of blackouts, the plant’s long-standing inefficiencies are once again testing the patience of residents, industries, and farmers who depend on steady electricity for survival.
