Gas crisis stops power generation

Shikalbaha Power Station.

The power generation in Raozan Power Station (Tap Bidyut Kendra) and Shikalbaha Peaking Power Plant remained suspended for the last two months due to a shortage of gas.
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) was unable to supply gas to these major power plants as the government recently has decided to run the Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) through the gas allotted for the plants.
The KGDCL stopped supplying gas to these power plants in early November. The decision to stop supplying gas was taken as the demand for electricity is less in December and January than the other months of the year, officials at the two power plants said.
They said it will be very difficult for the Power Development Board (PDB) to meet the demand for electricity in the upcoming summer season.
Bimal Kumar Howlader, chief engineer of Raozan Power Station, said it has two units which are capable of generating 210 and 180 MW of electricity daily which are now shut for a shortage of gas. He said 90 million cubic feet (mcf) of gas is needed daily to run the two units together. But the government passed an order to supply them 45 mcf only which was also stopped in early November.
Bhuban Bijoy Dutta, manager of Shikalbaha Peaking Power Plant, said their two units also cannot generate electricity due to the gas crisis. It has two power units capable of generating 60 and 150 MW of electricity respectively.
He said to run the units they need about 50 mcf of gas. But the supply remained suspended for the last two months. The station is ready to generate electricity in full swing if gas is available, he said.
Bhuban said the government is thinking of setting up duel fuel system where the two units would also run on oil during gas crisis. Besides, the government has a plan to set up another unit in the plant which will run on oil, he said.
He said they have information that the KGDCL will postpone the supply to CUFL in March to start gas supply to Raozan and Shikalbaha power stations.
Md Maniruzzman, public relations officer of PDB Chittagong, told The Daily Star that electricity was now being supplied from Kaptai Hydroelectric Power Plant, three private power stations and the national grid to Chittagong zone including Chittagong metro, Faujderhat, Patiya, Cox's Bazar and three hill tracks districts.
The total demand for Chittagong during the peak hour is about 450-500 MW, when Kaptai is supplying 174MW, three private power stations 60MW and national grid 200 MW electricity daily.
He said if the two power stations can work properly it will be possible to avoid loadshedding and the two power stations will be able to supply electricity to the national grid.