Tender process for JICA-funded Maheshkhali power plant halted, says Minister Hamid

The tender for the 1200MW power plant at Maheshkahli — much of it funded by Japan — has been stopped, says the state minister for power, energy and mineral resources.

“The expected participants say they think it would better not to go for it now,” Nasrul Hamid said on Saturday replying a query citing a report run by a Japanese daily.

The tender process was scheduled to be finalised on Jul 24.

Japanese companies, Toshiba Corporation and Mitsubishi Hitachi Power System Ltd were expected to take part in the tender.

In August last year, the Bangladesh government cleared the coal-fired power plant at Matarbarhi in Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali, which would cost Tk 360 billion.

Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is supposed to provide Tk 290 billion for the project.

The project also includes a deep-sea port near the plant for handling coal imports for the plant.

The Japan Times reported on Friday that the tender process has been stopped due to security reasons in the wake of the Gulshan terror attack.

As many as 20 people, including 17 foreigners were killed in the Jul 1 attack at the Holey Artisan Bakery and O’ Kitchen Restaurant.

Seven Japanese nationals were among those killed. They were surveyors for the Dhaka metrorail project.

State Minister Hamid said that the JICA is yet to inform its decision officially. “I will speak to the ambassador and JICA’s Bangladesh chief on the issue.”

Asked when the process might begin, he replied, “They (interested participants) did not give any time-frame.”

The 'Matarbarhi 2x600 Megawatt Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Project’ is expected to be completed in October 2023.