Current Status: Operation
Image: Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant (Source: Kaler Kantho, 2023)
Barapukuria 250 MW Coal Power Plant (Unit I&II), also known as Barapukuria Coal Power Station (Unit 1&2), is a subcritical thermal power plant situated in Dudhipur and Durgapur villages of Barapukuria under Parbartipur Upazila in Dinajpur District of Bangladesh (Location: 25.4971, 88.9533). It has been sponsored by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) as a State-owned Power Plant (SOPP) for 25 years. The power plant started commercial operation on 31 January 2006 and, as per schedule, it will retire on 30 January 2031.
Capacity
The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the Barapukuria 250 MW Coal Power Plant (Unit 1 and Unit 2) is 125 MW and 85 MW respectively.
Context
The Barapukuria Coal-fired Power Plant also known as BCFP, holds the distinction of being Bangladesh's inaugural coal-based power facility. The Power Plant is under the ownership of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), a state-owned entity responsible for electricity generation, procurement, transmission, and distribution in Bangladesh (BWGED 2021).
The power plant is located near Durgapur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. The Power Plant is a 250-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power station commissioned in 2006. It has 2 units both with a capacity of 125 MW each. In 2018, the power station's capacity was expanded by 275 MW (Global Energy Observatory 2013) (Rahman, M., 2018).
The operational period of the power plant is 25 years (BWGED 2021). The two units are scheduled to retire on 30 January 2031. The power plant is designed exclusively to use coal of 'Barapukuria grade' which is considered to consist of high calorific value, low Sulphur, and low ash coal. If it runs at full capacity, it should require 5,200 tonnes of coal daily. BCMCL plays a central role in providing the necessary coal to fuel the power plant, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of the primary energy source.
The construction was undertaken by a Chinese company, Harbin Electric International Company Limited (henceforth referred to as Harbin Electric), which is also in charge of operating the mine and plant jointly with the Bangladesh government for the next five years (Kamal, R. 2018).
Land Acquisition
Barapukuria Power Station is located near Durgapur, Dinajpur, Bangladesh. It consists of two 125 MW units and one 275 MW unit. The power plant, encompassing all three units, occupies a substantial land area spanning 278.30 acres. Local people own the land. The communities affected by this project primarily include farmers and common landowners. The exact number of directly and indirectly affected individuals is undisclosed (BWGED 2021).
Finance
The Barapukuria 250 MW Coal Power Plant in Bangladesh, comprising Units I and II, underwent a significant 275 MW capacity expansion in 2018. Owned and operated by the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), it is a subcritical thermal power plant with a total budget of USD 332.31 million or around 3,641 crore BDT (According to 17 September 2023 the foreign exchange rate is 1 USD equal to 109.57 tk). The funding sources include a sponsor's investment of USD 0.53 million or around 5.8 crore tk, an overseas loan from ICBC (Industrial and Commercial Bank of China) amounting to USD 224 million or around 2,454 crore BDT, and a Government of Bangladesh (GOB) investment of USD 107.78 million or around 11,80 crore BDT tk. Information about domestic loans is not disclosed (BWGED 2021).
Sponsor
The sponsor of the Barapukuria 250 MW Coal Power Plant (Units 1 & 2) is Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) (BWGED 2021).
Contractors
The Barapukuria 250 MW Coal Power Plant project in Bangladesh involves key contractors. EPC Contractors are HEIC (Harbin Electric International Company Limited) and CCC Engineering Limited (CCCE), both from China. Details about other contractors, such as building construction, civil engineering, fuel transport, jetty construction, river dredging, and the Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contractor, are undisclosed (BWGED 2021).
Suppliers
The Barapukuria Coal Mining Company Limited (BCMCL) is the designated fuel supplier for this project. BCMCL plays a central role in providing the necessary coal to the power plant, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of the primary energy source. Information regarding the supplier of boilers and engines for the project has not been disclosed. The gas turbine supplier has not been disclosed. Similar to the gas turbine supplier, the steam turbine supplier remains undisclosed (BWGED 2021).
Fuel Supply
The Barapukuria 250 MW Coal Power Plant is coal-based. The Barapukuria Coal Power Plant relies on the Barapukuria coal mine as its primary source of coal, supplemented by Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO). It utilizes both domestic and imported fuels. The plant employs Supercritical (SC) technology for efficient power generation (BWGED 2021).
Power Generation
The Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh (CPGCL) manages the power plant. Currently, the first unit is supplying 70 to 80 MW of electricity to the national grid, while the second unit is undergoing maintenance. Unit 2 usually produces 80 MW of electricity per day (Kaler Kantho, 2023).
Environment
In November 2019, a coalition of organizations published the report "Choked by Coal: the Carbon Catastrophe in Bangladesh." It warned about the risks of building 29 coal-fired power stations in Bangladesh and highlighted concerns about the operational and environmental issues of the Barapukuria power station, the country's only coal plant at the time (Market Forces, 2019). The power station has serious impacts on water and land (The Daily Star, 2021).
The environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted by the environment ministry provided essential details (Kamal, R., 2018). The Barapukuria Coal Power Plant has brought about socioeconomic changes for local communities, affecting their livelihoods and incomes. Environmental consequences, such as land, water, and air impacts, also affect these communities. Moreover, the substantial groundwater usage of 2,400 metric tons per day by the plant has led to severe depletion, affecting 15 villages, each with an average population of 1,461, highlighting the scale of potential impact (BBS, 2011).
The Barapukuria Coal Power Plant releases untreated industrial wastewater into the Tilai River, impacting a 5-kilometre stretch and connected tributaries, affecting underground water. The plant's ash ponds contain hazardous heavy metals like boron, arsenic, and mercury, posing a potential risk to groundwater sources (Hossain et al., 2015). Coal-fired power plants also release carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and suspended particulate matter (PM) into the atmosphere through their smokestacks (Pokale 2012).
Carbon Footprint
The 2 unit together with another 250 MW unit generates a substantial 4,281,669 tons of CO2 emissions annually, highlighting the significant carbon footprint associated with its subcritical technology (Kamal, R., 2018).
Human Right Violation
In 2006, opposition to a mine expansion proposal came from the public. Police and the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) opened fire on demonstrators in the nearby Phulbari, resulting in at least three casualties and 70 injuries. In this context, it was vital to speak with the local populations that live close to the power plant and learn about their concerns over the expansion of coal power generation but no such measures have been taken (Kamal, R., 2018).
Criticism
The environmental impact findings from the EIA report sometimes conflict with those of local universities and NGOs. Establishing standardized independent monitoring protocols for power plants in collaboration with universities and environmental organizations is recommended.
Water pollution and depletion, along with a significant carbon footprint, are pressing concerns. The unchecked release of untreated wastewater into the Tilai River and the presence of harmful heavy metals in ash ponds pose great environmental and health risks. Air pollution from coal power plants also raises health concerns. The socioeconomic impact on local communities remains unclear and requires further assessment.
Overall, the Barapukuria Coal Power Plant presents substantial environmental and social challenges, calling into question its long-term sustainability. A transition to cleaner energy sources is urgently needed to mitigate these issues.
References
Global Energy Observatory, 2013. Barapukuria Coal Power Plant, Bangladesh. Global Energy Observatory: September 12, 2013.
Rahman, M. (2018). Barapukuria power plant: Coal factor. The Financial Express: (2018, August 26).
BWGED, 2021. Barapukuria (BPDB) Coal Power Plant. Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt: December 2021
Power Technology. (2023, July 30). Barapukuria Coal-Fired Power Plant Extension, Bangladesh - Power Technology. Power Technology. (2023, July 30).
Global Energy Monitor, 2023. Barapukuria power station. Global Energy Monitor: 25 August 2023.
BWGED, 2021. Barapukuria (BPDB) Coal Power Plant. Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt: December 2021.
Kaler Kantho, 2023. Barapukuria thermal power plant's third unit production halted. Kaler Kantho: 29 April, 2023.
Market Forces, 2019. "Choked by Coal: the Carbon Catastrophe in Bangladesh," Market Forces, November 6, 2019
The Daily Star, 2021. "Power Div. rejoinder, (CREA) reply," The Daily Star, November 29, 2021.
Kamal, R. (2018). Burning for Development: A Case Study on Socioeconomic, Environmental, & Climate Change Impacts of the Barapukuria Coal Plant. Global Development Policy Center, 2018.
BBS, 2011. “Population and Housing Census 2011”. Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics, Statistics and Information Division, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, 2011.
Hossain, Paul, and Hasan, 2015. “Environmental impacts of coal mine and thermal power plant to the surroundings of Barapukuria, Dinajpur, Bangladesh”. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2015.
Pokale, 2012. “Effects of a thermal power plant on the environment” Scientific Reviews and Chemical Communications, 2012.