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Tag: BCPCL

  • Bangladesh Commissions its First Imported Coal Based Power Plant

    Bangladesh Commissions its First Imported Coal Based Power Plant

    Bangladesh has started operations at its newly constructed Payra coal-fired plant, which is envisaged as the first power project to run on imported coal in the country.

    The Payra Plant has been implemented under Bangladesh-China Power Company (BCPCL), a special joint venture company of Bangladesh’s state-owned NWPGCL and China’s state-owned China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation.

    The company carried out successful synchronization of 660 MW power unit with the national grid of electricity, wherein test production of 120 MW was delivered to the grid on 13 Jan’19 at 11:05 AM BDT.

    Payra plant with a capacity of 1320 MW consist of two 660 MW power units, of which the first unit has been successfully commissioned. The company is likely to initiate the second unit by Jul’20.

    Incidentally, it is the second coal-fired power installed in the country, wherein the only operationalised plant was the Barakupuria 524 MW capacity power station designed to run on domestic coal.

    Media reports had informed that that the partial commissioning of Payra plant was delayed for physical and technical constraints, caused by non-availability of transmission lines needed to evacuate electricity generated by the plant.

    Incidentally, after commencement of 400 KV (Payra Power Plant – Gopalganj – Dhaka) transmission line, the company was able to put the plant in operation.

    The power plant based on Ultra Supercritical technology would cater its imported coal requirements from PT Bayan Resources, Indonesia, against which it has started to receive coal shipments through Payra port.

    Officials from the company have highlighted that there was an adequate coal stock for 45 days, which would enable them to run the plant continuously.

    After the implementation of its first phase of 1,320 MW power plant, BCPCL is going to execute an additional 1320 MW power plant project which would be developed at the same location. Besides, the company also intends to build renewable energy-based power plants by Dec’22.

    To know more, participate in the Bangladesh Coal Conference 2020.

  • Oldendorff Carriers Inks Pact to Deliver Coal in Bangladesh

    Oldendorff Carriers Inks Pact to Deliver Coal in Bangladesh

    Bangladesh’s rapid economic growth has increased the demand for electricity. But the country’s power generation plants have been unable to meet customer demand over the past decade.

    Bangladesh has a population of about 165 million, and in the rural areas, 13 million households still lack access to electricity. For this purpose, The Bangladesh Chinese Power Company Limited (BCPCL), a joint venture between North West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) and China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC), has constructed a 2 x 660 megawatt thermal power plant in Payra district of southern Bangladesh.

    Last November, Oldendorff Carriers, a Germany-based dry bulk shipping company, reported to have signed a 5-year coal transportation agreement with the Bangladesh Chinese Power Company limited (BCPCL), to transport 20-25 million tonnes of coal to the country’s new power station at Payra port.

    Oldendorff provides a full transportation solution to BCPCL, which includes coal transportation from Indonesia or Australia with transshipment in Andaman and Nicobar to Payra power plant in Bangladesh.

    Oldendorff distinctly underlines the cost advantages of transshipping

    The coal transshipment allows the Bangladeshi consignee company (BCPCL) to take advantage of lower freight costs by using large Capesize vessels (180,000 tdw) to Andaman and Nicobar, while smaller vessels deliver the cargo to BCPCL, due to draft restrictions at Payra port.

    (tdw – Tons deadweight)

    Weather restrictions for transshipment in the Gulf of Bengal, due to northeast and southwest monsoons, make transshipment impossible for at least four months of the year.

    Oldendorff’s contract with BCPCL is split into two phases based on the power plant supply requirements. Initially, there will be direct shipments from Indonesia to Payra Port requiring up to 10 Supramax (50,000 tdw) shipments per month. During the second phase, Oldendorff will perform ocean freight on larger Capesize vessels and transship the cargo onto Supramax vessels in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Supramax vessels will then deliver the cargo to Payra port.

     

    Bangladesh Coal

    In January 2018, Oldendorff successfully performed a trial transshipment operation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with the vessel Trina Oldendorff (74,600 tdw built 2013); the final destination of the cargo was Haldia in the Indian state of West Bengal.

    The company further stated that its vessel Albert Oldendorff (93,272 tdw built 2010) is being converted to be the transshipment vessel in the Andaman Islands for this project. The vessel will be fitted with 3 x 36 MT side mounted cranes, two hoppers, two inclining cross conveyors and two telescopic booms. It is designed to transship cargo from one ship to another at 1,500 MT per hour.

    Overall, the expected quantity of coal to be shipped ranges from 3.8 to 4.5 million tonnes per year, for a period of 5 years, as per a press release published by Oldendorff Carriers in November 2019.

    Bangladesh’s Coal-fired Power Capacity Additions To Fuel Seaborne Thermal Coal Demand

    Seaborne thermal coal demand is poised to grow in South Asia, as a consequence of the remarkable rise in coal imports in Bangladesh, thus generating opportunities for overseas coal suppliers as well as ocean freight shipping service providers.

    To know more, participate in the Bangladesh Coal Conference 2020.

  • Bangladesh: Payra Port Authority Invites Bids for Developing Coal Terminal

    Bangladesh: Payra Port Authority Invites Bids for Developing Coal Terminal

    Government of Bangladesh has intended to develop a coal terminal at Payra port to facilitate coal movement for its upcoming power station, by appointing private participants to carry out the expansion work.

    Payra, the third sea port of Bangladesh situated on the bank of Rabnabad channel under Kalapara, is located in the sub-district of Patuakali. The port was inaugurated 19 Nov’13 to assist in transportation of various commodities including food grain, cement, fertilizer and other bulk containers to Dhaka and other destinations through internal waterways.

    However, in order to cater the anticipated rise in coal demand of the power station proposed by Bangladesh-China Power Company, the government has planned expansion of the port by envisaging a dedicated coal terminal.

    The selection of the private partners for developing the terminal would be carried on the basis of International Competitive Bidding (ICB), for which interested bidders have been asked to give their consent.

    The Payra port authority has stated that the bidders are supposed to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the coal/bulk terminal. In addition, it was specified that the pertaining job should be transferred back to the owner based on the terms and conditions set out in the contract.

    The port authority has highlighted that that bids are to be submitted on or before 1200 hours BST, 17 Feb’2020, and should be accompanied by a bid security amount of BDT 240 Million.

    Recent Development:

    Payra port had received its coal consignment on 19 Sep’19, where a vessel laden with 20,000 MT coal reached the jetty of the Payra port.

    The coal was bought from Indonesia by the Payra power plant which has been build under the flagship of Bangladesh-China Power Company (BCPCL). Incidentally, it was the first ever shipment for coal-based power plant in the history of Bangladesh.

    Officials from the Payra power plant have reported that the first unit of the 1320 MW power station would be commissioned on 27 Jan’2020. The plant is likely to import 40 Lakh Tonnes of coal annually through the Payra port.

    Bangladesh is more dependent on gas for its power generation but are energy equations changing? To know, participate in the Bangladesh Coal Conference 2020.