Cox’s bazar: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday underscored the importance of maximizing the use of existing infrastructure to bolster Bangladesh’s power and energy security, while also ensuring transparency and accountability in project management. He emphasized regular maintenance and long-term integrated energy planning, along with a diversification of energy sources to meet the country’s increasing electricity demands.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the Prime Minister made these remarks during his visit to the 1,200MW Matarbari Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Plant located in the Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar. He highlighted the necessity of balancing economic viability, environmental impacts, and the long-term interests of the citizens in power generation and infrastructure management.
During his visit, Rahman stressed the integrated development of power and energy facilities, the deep-sea port, and related industrial infrastructure around Matarbari. He noted that their planned and efficient use would play a crucial role in ensuring energy security, promoting industrialization, and expanding economic activities across the region.
The Prime Minister arrived at the power plant by helicopter at 10:45 am and proceeded to the administrative building for a detailed briefing session from 11:00 am to 12:15 pm. Officials provided insights into the plant’s current status, power generation operations, generation capacity, fuel supply management, operational efficiency, and safety measures. They also discussed the future plans for the project.
Tarique Rahman expressed satisfaction with the project’s progress, particularly appreciating the fact that the power plant is operated entirely by Bangladeshi engineers and manpower. He praised the skills and capabilities of the local engineers and employees and encouraged them in their efforts. He also planted a neem sapling on the project premises.
The Matarbari power plant consists of two 600MW units, utilizing modern ultra-supercritical technology. It includes facilities for coal transportation, transmission lines, access roads, and other infrastructure. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has provided loan assistance for the project.
After the briefing, the Prime Minister toured various facilities of the project and proposed sites. At 12:25 pm, he visited the proposed 70MW solar power plant site, where officials briefed him on its plans and potential capacity.
He also inspected proposed sites for an LNG-based power plant, a petrochemical project, and a new refinery. He reviewed infrastructure related to LPG, LNG, and coal terminals and sought detailed information on the future plans for these facilities.
Further, he visited the coal jetty to observe the Matarbari deep-sea port, LNG terminal, and different facilities of the power plant. Officials provided updates on the port infrastructure required for coal transportation and its integration with the power plant.
The Prime Minister also visited the proposed temporary LPG jetty and sites for future construction of Units 3 and 4 of the coal-fired power plant. He was briefed on the proposed plans and infrastructure needs for these projects.
His visit concluded at 12:55 pm, and he departed Matarbari by helicopter at 1:05 pm.
The Matarbari project aims to enhance stable electricity supply and strengthen the country’s energy security, with the port for coal transportation, transmission lines, and access roads being key components of this large-scale initiative.
Prime Minister Rahman was accompanied by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, State Minister Aninda Islam Amit, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Shamsul Islam, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, and Special Political Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha during the visit.