Coal shortage: Payra Power Plant to shut down after June 5

The 1,320 MW coal-fired Payra Power Plant is going to shut down after June 5 due to shortage of coal, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said today.

"Operation of one unit of Payra Power Plant remains suspended and the other unit is going to shut down after June 5 due to coal shortage. It will take 20-25 days to import coal. We made a delay in opening LC [for coal]. Other issues are also involved," said the state minister.

He made the remarks while addressing the inauguration ceremony of Daffodil International University's Energy Research Laboratory and Training Centre in Savar, reports our local correspondent.

The state minister also said the current load-shedding situation in the country may continue for a few more days as the energy crisis has stopped power production in some plants.

Acknowledging public sufferings due to increasing load shedding amid the current heatwave, the state minister said the country is now facing 1,700 MW of load shedding.

"We're not getting the required electricity in the system. The mercury is as high as 41°C in parts of the country. We are sorry for the trouble," said Nasrul Hamid.

Stressing on the turmoil in global energy market, the minister said the government is working to stabilise the power sector.

"We're struggling to import oil. Now, we are diverting most of the gas to industries to keep those running," he said.