Bhairab 54.5 MW (X Index) HFO Power Plant

Current Status: Operation

Source: XICa, 2023

Bhairab 54.5 MW (X Index) HFO Power Plant, also known as X Index Bhairob Power Plant, is a reciprocating engine-based power plant situated in Kalipur village under Bhairab in Kishoreganj District of Bangladesh (Location: 24.0476, 90.9850). It is sponsored by Bhairab Power Generation Limited (BPGL), a subsidiary of X Index Energy Limited under X Index Group, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 15 years. The sponsor declared its Commercial Operation Date (COD) on 8 March 2021, and, as per schedule, the power plant will retire on 7 March 2036.

Capacity

The installed (gross) and derated (net) capacity of the power plant is 54.6 MW and 54 MW, respectively.

Context

X Index Companies (XIC) is a well-known business conglomerate that operates in various sectors in Bangladesh. It was established in 1977, and over four decades. From 2018 to 2020, XIC expanded its range of investments by putting money into three Fuel-based Power Plants in various places. This decision allowed the conglomerate to produce and distribute electricity to the national grid. (XICb, 2023).

Bhairab Power Limited, a subsidiary of X Index Energy Limited, operates the 54.5 MW Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) Fired Power Generating Facility equipped with three 18V 48/60_TS MAN engines. The power plant is sponsored by Bhairab Power Generation Limited (BPGL), a subsidiary of X Index Energy Limited within the X Index Group, the power plant serves as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP) for 15 years. The Commercial Operation Date (COD) was announced by the sponsor on March 8, 2021, and, according to the established schedule, the power plant is set to retire on March 7, 2036  (XICa, 2023). 

Land Acquisition

The power plant is situated at Kalipur village of the Bhairab Municipality of the Kishoreganj  district occupying an area of about 7.10  acres of land (Calculated from google earth). 

Finance

No information has been found on the finance of the power plant.

Sponsor

It is sponsored by Bhairab Power Generation Limited (BPGL), a subsidiary of X Index Energy Limited under X Index Group, as a private Independent Power Producer (IPP)  (XICa, 2023).

Contractors

Services for the construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of numerous power plants have been supplied by Lanka Construction Services. Project services for the 54 MW Furnace Oil Power Plant in Bhairab, Bangladesh, have been provided by Lanka Construction And Engineering Services. (LCES, 2023). The power plant is equipped with engines provided by MAN Energy Solutions, a leading global provider of energy solutions. MAN Energy Solutions SE is a German multinational company based in Augsburg that produces large-bore gas and diesel engines (MES, 2023).

Fuel Supply

No information has been found about the fuel supply of the power plant. 

Power Generation

The Plant utilizes a 54 MW HFO-fired power generation setup which is equipped with three 18V 48/60_TS MAN engines  (MES, 2023).

Environment

According to Section 12 of the Bangladesh Environment Protection Act 1995, Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is obligatory for any industry (MOLJPA 1995). The polluting industries, such as power plants, have to go through an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and EIA as directed in the Environmental Conservation Rules 2017 (MOEFCC 1997). But, to date, no IEE or EIA report has been found. The power plant is a furnace oil power plant. Furnace oil power plants have significant environmental consequences. The combustion of fossil fuels in these plants releases particulate matter and sulfur dioxide, contributing to air pollution. Greenhouse gas emissions, particularly carbon dioxide, exacerbate global warming. (NR, 2023).

Criticism

Currently, there has been no Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) or Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) conducted for the gas-powered power plant, and this is a matter of significant concern. The absence of these assessments raises serious questions regarding potential environmental impacts. These concerns encompass the release of air pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). Without an EIA, it becomes difficult to assess their effects on local air quality, which could result in respiratory problems and the formation of smog. According to the Environmental Conservation Rule 1997 the project falls in the red category indicating it as a potential polluting sector (MOEFCC 1997).

References

• XICa (2023). “Power Generation“. X Index Companies (XIC): 18 November 2023. 

• XICb (2023). “X Index Companies“. X Index Companies (XIC): 18 November 2023. 

• LCES (2023). “Bhairab Power Limited, Bangladesh”. Lanka Construction & Engineering Services (LCES ): 18 November 2023.

• MES (2023). “Our local references at MAN Energy Solutions Bangladesh”. MAN Energy Solutions (MES):  17 November 2023.

• NR (2023). “Furnaces”. NetRegs: 19 November 2023.

• MOEFCC (1997). The Environmental Conservation Rules. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC): 27 August 1997.

• MOLJPA (1995). Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995. Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs (MOLJPA): 16 February 1995.