Disparity in power prices raises parliamentary panel’s eyebrows

The parliamentary standing committee on power, energy and mineral resources has questioned the disparity in rates the government is charging for 10 different plants currently under construction in Bangladesh.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 27 August 2017, 07:31 PM
Updated : 27 August 2017, 07:54 PM

The ministry has submitted a report which cites differences in land prices, logistics, transport cost, engine capacity as reasons behind the 'unmatched rates'.

Costs of placing transmission line, transport cost, varied rates of fuel and generator are among some other reasons mentioned in the report submitted at a meeting of the committee on Sunday.

"We asked the ministry for Information, and they have submitted the report. It will be reviewed and discussed at the next meeting," said Tajul Islam, chairman of the committee.

According to the report, electricity will be purchased from the diesel and furnace-run plants at the following rates:

SL

Power plant

Location

Capacity

(megawatt)

Rate

(per kilowatt) 

1

Confidence Power Holdings Ltd

Bogra

113

10.60 cents 

2

Midland Power Management Company Ltd

Ashuganj, Brahmanbaria

150 

10.50 cents 

3

Orion Power Management

Lobonchora, Khulna

110 

10.60 cents 

4

Consortium Of Summit Corporation Ltd and Summit Power Ltd

Kodda, Gazipur

300

10.60 cents 

5

Ecron Infrastructure Service Ltd

Potia, Chittagong

100 

10.50 cents 

6

Energy Ltd

Chandpur

200 

10.65 cents 

7

Bangla Trek Ltd

Daudkandi, Comilla

200 

25.41 cents 

8

Bangla Trek Ltd

Nayapara, Jessore

100 

25.41 cents 

9

Egreko International Projects Ltd

Keraniganj, Dhaka

200

25 cents

10

APR Energy

Keraniganj, Dhaka

300 

25.41 cents 

(One cent=Tk 8.5)

The ministry has approved the plants that are expected to together produce 1,773-megawatt electricity. 

The ministry has ordered Bangladesh Power Development Board to stick to the same conditions it outlined for previous agreements with other private companies while signing agreements with these 10.