Current Status: Canceled
Source: (Daily Sun)
Daudkandi 1320 MW Coal Power Plant, also known as Meghna USC Coal Power Plant, is a canceled ultra-supercritical (USC) thermal power plant. It was to be situated in Daudkandi Upazila in Cumilla District of Bangladesh (Location: 23.5333, 90.7166) approximate. It was proposed by the Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) in cooperation with the Power Construction Corporation of China. According to the plan, the power plant was to start commercial operation. However, no progress was seen by 2020 when the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) declared that it would not build any more coal power plants in the country. Meghna Group also removed the information on the power plant from their website.
Capacity
The installed capacity of the power plant was supposed to be 2×660 MW.
Context
On 14 October 2016, Meghna Group entered into agreements with the Power Construction Corporation of China, a state-owned entity, to generate 1,320 megawatts of electricity by constructing two coal-fired power plants. The Chinese government facilitated the funding, and the ownership stake in the power plants was collaboratively determined by both parties. The commencement of the plants' construction was anticipated to take at least two years (TDS, 2016). However, on November 19, 2020, it was disclosed that the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources in Bangladesh had concluded an energy strategy, which involved canceling all coal plants except for five currently under construction (TDS, 2020). As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Meghna Group and Power Construction Corporation of China, the power plant was to have two units of 660 MW each.
Land Acquisition
It was canceled before it acquired any land.
Finance
Two power plants, each capable of generating 660 megawatts, were planned to be established in Daudkandi, Comilla, at an estimated cost of $1.75 billion USD (TDS, 2016).
Sponsors
Meghna Group of Industries (MGI) in cooperation with Power Construction Corporation of China planned to sponsor the power plant.
Contractors
No information regarding contractors as it was canceled.
Fuel Supply
Coal was going to be used as fuel, but on November 19, 2020, The Daily Star disclosed that the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources in Bangladesh had concluded an energy strategy, which involved canceling all coal plants except for five currently under construction (TDS, 2020).
Power Generation
No power has been generated as the power plant has been canceled.
Environment
Compliance with Section 12 of the 1995 Bangladesh Environment Protection Act required industries, including potentially polluting entities like power plants, to undergo both an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) and an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), as specified in the 2017 Environmental Conservation Rules (MOLJPA 1995; MOEFCC 1997). In the past, the absence of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the power plant tie-up with Chinese investors for power.” raised concerns. An environmentally conscious alternative involves implementing a carbon tax and transitioning towards renewable energy sources. According to the environmental conservation rule 2023, the project falls in the “Red,” indicating it is a potentially harmful project for the environment (MOEFCC 2023).
References
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.
TDS (2016). “Beximco, Meghna tie up with Chinese investors for power”. The Daily Star (TDS): 18 October 2016
TDS (2020). “Future, not coal power.” The Daily Star (TDS): 19 November 2020
MOEFCC (2023). “The Environmental Conservation Rules”. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC):5 March 2023.
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