MoU inked for 3600 MW Payra power plant by 2021

05 Nov 2017 | energynewsbd.com  
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Germany based Siemens AG on Sunday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up a 3600 megawatt (MW) combined cycle power plant based on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) by 2021 at Payra in Patuakhali district. 
The state-run North-West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) and Germany based Siemens AG signed the MoU to build the 3600-MW power plant having three units, each having electricity generation capacity of 1,200 MW, by December 2021. 
Managing Director of NWPGCL Engineer AM Khurshedul Alam and Chief Executive Officer of Siemens South Asia Sunil Mathur signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at Bidyut Bhaban in Dhaka. 
Prime Minister`s Energy Advisor Dr Towfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury witnessed the signing ceremony as the chief guest, while State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany Dr Thomas Prinz were present as the special guests. 
Dr Towfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury said workshops and training programmes would help engineers to make them skilled for operating modern equipment in the power sector. 
He urged authorities concerned for arranging workshops and training programmes in future. 
Nasrul Hamid said this is the single largest investment from Germany, adding, "The estimated cost is $ 2.8 billion including debt of $ 2.4 billion and equity $ 400 million." 
He said the German government came forward with the largest investment showing their trust in Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina`s government. 
Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bangladesh Dr Thomas Prinz said the German government stood beside Bangladesh on the Rohingya crisis, adding, "We are keen to be a reliable development partner of Bangladesh and Germany is the single largest buyer of RMG (readymade garment)." 
According to the project details, it will be implemented in three phases on 100 acres of land adjacent to Payra 1320-MW Thermal Power Plant site by establishing a joint venture company (JVC) as a project company. 
It is expected that the first unit of the plant with 1200-MW generation capacity will go into operation in June 2020, while the second with the same generation capacity in December 2020 and the third in December 2021. 
The project also stipulates that the efficiency of the machine will be more than 60 percent and the plant will be operated by imported LNG, while the power will be transmitted through 400 kV transmission line (Under Construction) from Payra Power Plant to Dhaka via Gopalganj. 
The companies will also construct the LNG terminal there for ensuring availability of necessary natural gas to generate electricity.

Wärtsilä to maintain Summit’s 464MW power plants in Bangladesh

19 June 2019 | Power Technology 
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Finnish company Wartsila has agreed to provide maintenance services for power plants of Bangladesh-based independent power producer (IPP) Summit Group. The company will provide its services to two power plants located in Gazipur, Dhaka. 
The plants are owned by Summit Gazipur II Power, and Ace Alliance Power (Gazipur I), a subsidiary of Bangladesh publicly listed company Summit Power. 
The two power plants have a combined capacity of 464MW and the agreements are aimed to deliver reliable supplies to Bangladesh’s national grid. 
Summit Group director Faisal Khan said: “Summit and Wärtsilä share a long-standing partnership since the early days of private power generation in Bangladesh. 
“Our plant in Gazipur was recently awarded as the fastest implemented power plant and we are happy to award its maintenance service contracts to Wärtsilä enabling cost optimisation and reliable generation.” 
The seven-year agreements with Wartsila is the biggest service deal in terms of megawatts generation in the Bangladesh energy sector. 
In addition to maintenance, the agreement includes yearly maintenance management coordination and Asset Diagnostics for optimum level of thermal and mechanical load. Asset Diagnostics also enables fuel consumption savings and sound operations to reduce impact on the environment. 
Wärtsilä Middle East & Asia Energy Services director Henri van Boxtel said: “Over the past 30 years we have accumulated significant experience and deep know-how in operation and maintenance services. 
“Globally, Wärtsilä has more than 22GW of generating capacity from in excess of 500 marine and energy sector installations covered by lifecycle solution agreements. 
“In Bangladesh, Wärtsilä has already five maintenance agreement with Summit Group, which speaks for itself about good cooperation and customer satisfaction.” 

Summit to invest more in power generation

7 March 2019 | Niaz Mahmud | Daily Dhaka Tribune 
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Summit Power has over 21 years of experience in the power sector. The company is the pioneer among Bangladeshi private sector power generation companies. 
The Summit Power Limited (SPL) has posted a 14% growth in revenue year-on-year in 2017-18 due to increase of production capacity. 
Revenue from 2013 to June 2018 has increased by 90%, growing by 17.98% each year on an average and stood at Tk1,846 crore for the year ended 30 June 2018. 
Summit Power has over 21 years of experience in the power sector. The company is the pioneer among Bangladeshi private sector power generation companies. 
The Summit Group is the largest infrastructure conglomerate of Bangladesh, comprising of multiple business units ranging from power to shipping to communications. Summit power’s concerns including both Turbine and Reciprocating Engine Divisions currently have 1,941MW of installed capacity. 
SPL, a subsidiary of Summit Group, is the first Bangladeshi Independent Power Producer (IPP) supplying power to the national grid. Today SPL owns and operates 15 power plants in different locations across the country having a total installed capacity of 976 MW. 
This fast-growing company has set a mission to expand the company with a power generation capacity to the tune of a modest 20% of the total electricity requirement in Bangladesh. 
Recently, the company has installed two power plants in Kodda, Gazipur: 300MW heavy fuel oil (HFO) fired within nine months from the date of Letter of Intent and another is 149MW Dual Fuel (HFO/Gas) fired within 15 months from the date of signing of the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). 
Summit Power Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan told the Dhaka Tribune: “Electricity is one of the most important parts of infrastructure, so I feel very proud to be associated with the power sector of Bangladesh.” 
By 2030, the government wants to generate 40,000MW electricity. To reach this target, Bangladesh has to make additional investment of about $40 billion. 
Aziz Khan also said: “Summit is working with the government and we would like to supply 20% of the country’s electricity. As a result, we wish to invest about $6 billion in the power sector of Bangladesh. 
“We will strengthen our engagement in power generation in the future.” 
The Summit Power disbursed a 30% cash dividend for the year 2017-18. The Company has also reported earnings per share (EPS) of Tk4.40, net asset value (NAV) per share of Tk.31.26 for the year ended on June 30, 2018. 
Net profit of the Company has also increased over the years since 2013 on average by 17.29% each year and stood at Tk5,274 million for the year ended 30 June 2018. 
Total assets of the Company has also increased over the years since 2013 by 192% and on an average by 38.40% each year and stood at Tk64,346 million for the year ended 30 June 2018. 
The SPL, presently an “A” category company, was listed the stock exchanges in 2005. The company's sponsor-directors hold 63.18% shares, institutes 19.73%, foreign shareholders 3.65% and general shareholders 13.44% as of Wednesday. The company's share price closed at Tk42.30 each yesterday on the Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE). 
Summit Power was incorporated in Bangladesh on March 30, 1997 as a Private Limited Company. On June 7, 2004, the Company was converted into Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1994. 

Wartsila And Summit Sign Bangladesh's Biggest Ever Service Agreement To Maintain Summit's 464 MW Power Plants

17 June 2019 | Power Online 
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The technology group Wärtsilä has signed two major Maintenance management and operational advisory agreements with Summit Group, the largest independent power producer (IPP) in Bangladesh and longstanding partner. The seven-year agreements represent the biggest ever signed service deals, in terms of MW generation, in the Bangladesh energy sector. The orders were booked by Wärtsilä in Q2, 2019. 
The life-cycle solution agreements cover two power plants located in Gazipur, Dhaka owned by Summit Gazipur II Power Ltd, and Ace Alliance Power Ltd (Gazipur I), a subsidiary of Summit Power Limited, a publicly listed company in Bangladesh. The combined electrical output capacity of the plants is 464 MW. The agreements are designed to meet the customers’ needs for ensuring maximum availability of the installations, optimising operating costs, and delivering reliable supplies to the Bangladesh’s national grid. 
“Summit and Wärtsilä share a long standing partnership since early days of private power generation in Bangladesh. Our plant in Gazipur was recently awarded as the fastest implemented power plant and we are happy to award its maintenance service contracts to Wärtsilä enabling cost optimisation and reliable generation,” commented Faisal Khan, Director of Summit Group. 
In addition to seven years of scheduled maintenance, the agreements include yearly maintenance management coordination and Asset Diagnostics. Asset Diagnostics keeps the thermal and mechanical load at an optimum level for operation conditions, and enables savings in fuel consumption, while simultaneously providing a more environmentally sound operation. 
“Over the past 30 years we have accumulated significant experience and deep know-how in operation and maintenance services. Globally, Wärtsilä has more than 22 GW of generating capacity from in excess of 500 marine and energy sector installations covered by lifecycle solution agreements. In Bangladesh, Wärtsilä has already five maintenance agreement with Summit Group, which speaks for itself about good cooperation and customer satisfaction. Performance of the plants with lifecycle solution agreements can be monitored remotely from our Digital Expertise Centres and we can advice our customers on dynamic maintenance schedules,” said Henri van Boxtel, Director, Energy Services Middle East & Asia at Wärtsilä. 
Wärtsilä currently has in excess of 4,850 MW of installed or on order power generating capacity in Bangladesh. Of these 1,100 are operated and maintained under contract by Wärtsilä. 

Summit Power approves 30pc cash dividend

10 December 2018 | Energy Bangla 
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Senior officials of Summit Power Limited seen at the 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the company at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) auditorium in the capital yesterday.
Summit Power Limited has approved 30 per cent cash dividend to its shareholders for the year ended on 30 June 2018. The dividend was approved in presence of the Company’s shareholder at its 21st Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) Complex, Farmgate, Dhaka, 
Presided over by Chairman of Summit Power Limited Muhammed Aziz Khan, the meeting was attended by Vice Chairman Md Latif Khan, Director Anjuman Aziz Khan, Director Jafer Ummeed Khan, Director Md Farid Khan, Director Faisal Karim Khan, Director Azeeza Aziz Khan, Managing Director Lt Gen (Retd) Engr. Abdul Wadud, Director Faruq Ahmed Siddiqi, Director Helal Uddin Ahmed, Director Arif Al Islam, Director Mustafizur Rahman Khan, Financial Controller & Company Secretary Swapon Kumar Pal FCA and other senior officials. 
Summit Power Limited (SPL) is the leading independent power producer (IPP) of Bangladesh and a publicly listed AAA rated company. Presently Summit Group is supplying 1,941 MW power to the national grid. Summit Group has received five consecutive ‘best power plant award’ from the government since 2013. 
It may be mentioned that Summit Power Limited has been consistent in giving out dividend since its enlistment in the Dhaka and Chittagong Stock Exchanges in 2005. 

Summit Power Limited wins silver at Asian Power Awards

22 September 2018 | Md Saidun Nabi | Daily Dhaka Tribune 
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Summit Power Limited being awarded the silver medal at the Asian Power Awards

Earlier this month, the same power plant won Summit the Best Private Power Generation Company award at Power and Energy Week 2018. 
In yet another achievement, electricity giant Summit Power Limited bagged a medal in the Fast-Track Power Plant of the Year category at the Asian Power Awards. 
Summit Gazipur II Power Limited won silver at the event, dubbed the Oscars of the Power Industry, held in Jakarta, Indonesia, according to a press release.  
Summit Power Limited is a subsidiary of Singapore-based holding company Summit Power International. 
Summit completed construction-to-power generation of the 300MW power plant in just nine months. 
Vice Chairman of Summit Group Latif Khan, along with Managing Director Mozzammel Hossain and Project Head Abdul Hakim of Summit Gazipur I and II Power received the award at the ceremony on Thursday. 
In the fast-track category, Tsetsii Wind Farm by Singaporean company Vestas Asia Pacific took the gold, and Kalsel-1 2x100MW Coal-Fired Steam Power Plant Project by PT Tanjung Power Indonesia, picked up the bronze medal. 
Earlier this month, the same power plant won Summit the Best Private Power Generation Company award at Power and Energy Week 2018, in recognition of being the fastest implemented power plant in Bangladesh. 
On December 10 last year, Summit Gazipur II Power Ltd signed a project agreement with the government to supply 300MW of electricity for a period of 15 years. 
According to the agreement, Summit Gazipur II Power Ltd was expected to commence commercial operation by mid-2018.  
At that time, it was supposed to be the largest reciprocating engine-run power plant in Bangladesh. 
In 2011, Summit Narayanganj Power Ltd took the gold at the Asian Power Awards 2011 for Best Fast-Track Power Project for implementing construction-to-generation in 270 days.  

Bangladesh's new LNG import terminal begins to feed gas to domestic grid

30 April 2019 | Bdnews24.com 
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Bangladesh’s second liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal has started to feed gas to the national grid after completing commissioning late on Monday, the terminal’s operator said. 

Summit LNG Terminal completed the commissioning of its floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) known as ‘Summit LNG’ late on Monday, about one month ahead of schedule, Singapore-based Summit Power International said in a statement. 

The FSRU is 75 percent owned by Summit Corp, a unit of Summit Power International, and the remaining by Japan’s Mitsubishi Corp. 

About 503 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas is flowing from the FSRU - which is able to regasify 500 mmcfd of LNG - into the national grid, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. 

Summit Power International, which owns power generation assets in Bangladesh and is owned by Bangladeshi conglomerate Summit Group, has chartered the vessel from US based Excelerate Energy for 15 years. 

“The process of feeding the gas from Summit FSRU to the national grid has started,” Nasrul Hamid, Bangladesh’s state minister for energy and power, told Reuters. 

“This is a huge achievement for our country’s energy security... We are taking more initiatives, including onshore and offshore gas exploration, to help feed the expanding economy.” 

About 3.75 million tonnes a year of LNG are expected to be imported through the facility, doubling the country’s LNG import capacity to 7.5 million tonnes per year once fully operational. 

Summit, Mitsubishi appraise PM on progress of $3b investment in Bangladesh

1 June 2019 | Daily NewAge 
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Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is seen with Summit Group founder chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan and Mitsubishi Corporation Natural Gas Group’s group CEO Jun Nishizawa when they update PM on $3 billion investment in Bangladesh, at New Otani Hotel in Tokyo, Japan recently. — New Age photo
Mitsubishi Corporation Natural Gas Group’s group CEO Jun Nishizawa and Summit Group founder chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan have met with prime minister Sheikh Hasina at New Otani Hotel in Tokyo recently, said a press release. 
They appraised her about the progress of the Summit-Mitsubishi and GE’s investment of $3 billion in Bangladesh, during business breakfast meeting, the release also said. 
They also discussed about other power and energy projects being pursued by Summit and Mitsubishi.
Jun Nishizawa said, ‘We are happy to have successfully partnered in Bangladesh’s second FSRU terminal with Summit Group. Mitsubishi has a track-record and is keen to invest into gas-to-power project in Bangladesh with our partner Summit Group in order to contribute to the country’s growing energy demand’, said the release. 
The scope of Summit, Mitsubishi and GE’s $ 3 billion investment project includes four units of 600 MW combined cycle power plants (total generating capacity of 2,400 MW), two units of on-shore LNG terminal with total of 380,000 m³ capacity, oil terminals with 100,000 MT capacity and another 300 MW HFO-based power plant, it said. 
Summit will be the majority owner of the project while Mitsubishi and GE will be owning the remaining, it also said. 
The project is designed to be completed by 2023 beginning from 2019. With implementation of this project in 2023, Summit will be doubling its generation capacity, the release also said. 

Aziz Khan at Singapore’s top rich list

16 August 2018 | Energy Bangla 
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Bangladeshi businessman and Summit Group Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan is among Singapore’s richest people. 
With $910 million net worth, Khan ranks 34th among 50 richest people in the city state, according to a 2018 list published by Forbes. 
Khan, 63, has interests in power, ports, fibre optics and real estate. A Singapore permanent resident, Khan is planning to list Summit Power International on the Singapore exchange. 
His daughter, Ayesha Aziz Khan, runs Summit Power International, a Singapore-based company that now holds assets of at least 17 power plants in Bangladesh with total generating capacity exceeding 1,644 megawatts. 
Summit Power was originally established in Bangladesh as its first independent power producer in 1997. Summit reflected 21 percent of Bangladesh’s total private installed capacity and 9 percent of total installed capacity as of 2017, according to the company’s website. 
The Forbes list published on Jul 25 was compiled using shareholding and financial information obtained from the families and individuals, stock exchanges, analysts and other sources. 
Unlike Forbes’s billionaire rankings, this list includes family fortunes, including those shared among extended families such as that of Hong Leong Group’s Executive Chairman Kwek Leng Beng and his cousins. 
Net worth is based on stock prices and exchange rates as of the close of markets on Jul 13. Private companies were valued based on similar companies that are publicly traded. 
Singapore’s top 50 richest collectively recorded double-digit gains; their combined wealth is up 11 percent to close to $116 billion. 
There are three newcomers to the 2018 list, and Khan is one of them. The other two are Gordon Tang of property firm SingHaiyi Group and online gaming whiz Forrest Li, who listed his firm Sea on the NYSE in October. 
Khan started Summit as a trading firm but went on to focus on infrastructure. His source of wealth is power and self-made, Forbes mentioned in its report. 

Electricity production starts at Summit's Barisal plant

4 May 2016 | The Daily Star 
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Summit Barisal Power Ltd started commercial production of electricity in April, two months before the schedule. 
Summit started the Tk 575-crore project to produce 120MW of power in the first private power plant in Barisal in March last year, said Muhammed Aziz Khan, chairman of Summit Power Ltd. 
The plant will supply 110MW of electricity to the national grid, he said. 
The main power generation machinery of the plant was imported from Wartsila Finland, said SM Ali Ahsan, plant manager of Summit Barisal Power Ltd. 
The plant will help reduce outages, said Abdul Wadud, managing director of Summit Power Ltd. 

Summit LNG completes its 1st ship-to-ship transfer of LNG

26 May 2019 | Daily NewAge 
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‘Summit LNG’ received 1,59,000 cubic metres of LNG from tanker (on right) using flexible transfer hoses and after regasifying LNG supplied to the National Gas Grid via subsea pipeline. — New Age photo
Summit LNG completed its first ship-to-ship transfer of LNG at 6 km off Moheshkhali in Bay of Bengal successfully on Thursday, said a press release. 
Summit’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) – ‘Summit LNG’ received 1,59,000 cubic metres of LNG from Oman Trading International, it said. 
The transfer was done using flexible transfer hoses. The LNG tanker ‘Creole Spirit’ carried LNG from Bethioua, Algeria. RPGCL (Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Co) on behalf of Petrobangla certified the completion of this transfer, said the release. 
The next STS transfer is due in early June 2019. 
Summit Group founder chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan said, ‘At Summit, we are grateful to receive the opportunity to prove the abilities of Bangladesh, on schedule implementation of power projects, LNG Projects and now terminalling’, the release also said. 
Petrobangla and RPGCL chairman Md Ruhul Amin commented, ‘We are very proud of the successful completion of Summit’s Ship-to-Ship LNG transfer commissioned by RPGCL on behalf Petrobangla’, said the release.

Summit Power receives ICSB Gold Award

12 November 2018 | Daily NewAge 
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Summit Power director Azeeza Khan and managing director Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Wadud receive gold award from finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith at a programme titled ‘ICSB National Award-2017’ for the company’s corporate governance excellence in the fuel and power companies category organised by ICSB held at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in Dhaka on Saturday. BSEC chairman M Khairul Hossain, former finance advisor to the caretaker government ABM Mirza Azizul Islam, ICSB president Mohammad Sanaullah and senior vice-president Safiar Rahman and Summit Group vice-chairman Farid Khan were present, among others. — New Age photo
Summit Power has been awarded the gold award at ‘ICSB National Award’ for corporate governance excellence in ‘the fuel and power companies’ category, said a press release. 
 
This is the fourth time Summit Power received this recognition from the ICSB, it said. 
 
Summit Power director Azeeza Khan and managing director Lt Gen (retd) Abdul Wadud received the gold award from finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith at a programme held at the Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden in Dhaka on Saturday. 
 
BSEC chairman M Khairul Hossain, former finance adviser to the caretaker government ABM Mirza Azizul Islam, ICSB president Mohammad Sanaullah, ICSB senior vice-president Safiar Rahman, Summit Group vice chairman Farid Khan and financial controller and company secretary Swapon Kumar Pal were present at the programme, among others. 
 

Summit, GE, Mitsubishi unveil $3b energy investment in Bangladesh

12 July 2018 | Daily NewAge 
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Representatives of Summit Corporation, General Electric Company of the US and Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan in Dhaka on Wednesday sign a deal to invest $3 billion in private power sector of Bangladesh. — New Age photo
Bangladesh-based independent power producer Summit Corporation Limited along with Mitsubishi Corporation and General Electric Company on Wednesday announced a $3 billion foreign direct investment for the establishment of four combined cycle power plants in Bangladesh. 
Each power plant with 600MW generation capacity would start power generation by 2023, according to a memorandum of understanding signed between the respective parties at a city hotel. 
The event was held in continuation with an earlier memorandum signed on March 13 in presence of prime minister Sheikh Hasina during her visit to Singapore. 
At Wednesday’s event, prime minister’s energy adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said that completion of the projects would help to bring almost all the households under power supply coverage by 2024. 
State minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid said that Bangladesh needed more private investment to raise the power generation capacity to 60,000MW. 
Summit chairman Muhammad Aziz Khan claimed that the project would facilitate best technology at world’s lowest tariff to meet increasing demand of power supply for people and businesses. 
General Electric Company president and chief executive officer Russel Stokes said that GE’s 9HA gas turbines would ensure high levels of efficiency to strengthen Bangladesh’s power generation. 
Power division secretary Ahmad Kaikaus, energy and mineral resources division secretary Abu Hena Rahmatul Muneem, Bangladesh Power Development Board chairman Khaled Mahmood, among others, were present. 
Later at Bidyut Bhaban, another memorandum was signed between Bangladesh Power Development Board and General Electric Company for the installation of 3600MW LNG-based power plant at Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar. 
Khaled Mahmood and Russel Stokes signed the memorandum for the project that would cost $4.4 billion. 

Aziz recognised as the ‘Global Asian of the Year 2018’

29 January 2019 | Daily NewAge 
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Summit Group chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan receives the ‘Global Asian of the Year 2018’ award from Singapore member of parliament (West Coast GRC Boon Lay) Patrick Tay, under the ‘power and energy’ category at an awarding ceremony held at the tenth edition of AsiaOne Summit titled ‘Pride of Asia – Asian Business & Social Forum 2019’ at Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore on January 21. — New Age photo
Summit Group chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan has been recognised as the ‘Global Asian of the Year 2018’ under the ‘Power & Energy’ category by AsiaOne magazine for his contribution to the sector and industry, said a press release on Monday. 
The award ceremony was held at the Tenth Edition of AsiaOne Summit ‘Pride of Asia – Asian Business & Social Forum 2019’ on January 21 at Marina Bay Sands Hotel in Singapore. 
AsiaOne stated that Muhammed Aziz Khan was the pivotal force of the largest infrastructure conglomerate in Bangladesh – the Summit Group of companies. 
Starting his business with zero capital, Aziz has been listed among the richest in Singapore by Forbes in 2018, said the press release. 
This selection is based on primary and secondary research across 16 industries under 62 sub categories in Asia, with the evaluation and scoring from independent jury members, united research services international primary and secondary data collation, and the AsiaOne editorial team.

Aziz Khan among 50 richest people in Singapore

16 August 2018 | Daily NewAge 
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Mohammed Aziz Khan
Bangladesh-born businessman Summit Group chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan and his family have been named the 34th richest person in Singapore on the list of 50 richest people and organisations of 2018. 
A Singapore permanent resident Aziz Khan’s net worth is $910 million as of July 25, according to Forbes, a global magazine focusing on business, investing, technology, entrepreneurship, leadership, and lifestyle. 
The list was made available on Wednesday on its website as ‘2018 Singapore's 50 Richest Net Worth’ made based on an annual assessment of wealth and assets. 
The magazine says that Summit has interests in power, ports, fibre optics and real estate and the 63-year-old Aziz Khan was one of the pioneers in the power industry of Bangladesh with more than 36 years of experience. 
It says his daughter, Ayesha, runs Summit Power International and Aziz Khan are planning to list power unit Summit Power International on Singapore Exchange Limited. 
Among 50 richest persons, owners of Singapore’s largest private landlord and property developer Far East Organisation brothers Robert and Philip Ng top the list. 
Social networking site Facebook cofounder Eduardo Saverin, a Brazil national, and Japan’s paint manufacturer Goh Cheng Liang respectively took the second and the third place on the list. 
Recently, as the first Bangladeshi company, Summit Power International has been enlisted with Stock Exchange of Singapore. 
Summit Power International has deferred its planned US$260 million (S$344.2 million) Singapore Exchange initial public offering, which would be the first overseas IPO from a Bangladeshi company. 

Summit, JERA Asia team up for $500m energy project

30 May 2019 | The Daily Star 
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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina looks on as officials of Summit Corporation and JERA Asia shake hands at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo yesterday when the two entities signed a memorandum of understanding to initiate an energy infrastructure project in Matarbari, Cox’s Bazar. Photo: Summit
Summit Corporation and JERA Asia yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to initiate an energy infrastructure project at Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar involving an investment of more than $500 million. 
The initial agreement was signed at the New Otani Hotel in Tokyo in presence of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who is now in Japan on an official visit, Summit Group said in a statement. 
The project will provide impetus to Bangladesh’s trade by developing various terminals for cargo and primary fuel in Matarbari. 
The project is expected to be functional within two years of signing an agreement between Summit, JERA Asia and the government of Bangladesh. 
The project will have a capacity to handle 20 million tonnes of bulk cargo per annum. 
In the statement, Muhammed Aziz Khan, chairman of Summit Group, said the project has the potential to save billions of dollars for Bangladesh for years by providing logistics and handling and maintaining the supply chain more efficiently. 
JERA Asia CEO Toshiro Kudama said: “By signing this MoU, we would like to further accelerate the development of energy infrastructure projects in Bangladesh together.” 
JERA will like to support Bangladesh with investment and state-of-the-art technologies and the company’s excellence in management, he said. 
Faisal Khan, a director of Summit Group, and Kudama signed the initial agreement. 
Nasrul Hamid, state minister for power and energy; Shahriar Alam, state minister for foreign affairs, Nojibur Rahman, principal secretary to the prime minister; Md Abul Kalam Azad, chairman of Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative, and Rabab Fatima, Bangladesh’s ambassador in Japan, were also present. 
Summit Group is the largest infrastructure conglomerate in Bangladesh as well as the largest independent power producer. 
In April, Summit LNG Terminal Co Ltd, a consortium of Summit and Japanese trading giant Mitsubishi, commissioned its floating storage and re-gasification unit, the second in Bangladesh, boosting the supply of much-needed gas for the country. 
Tokyo-based JERA is an energy company with global reach that has strength in the entire energy supply chain, from participation in liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fuel resource projects and fuel procurement, through fuel transportation to power generation. 

Bangladesh-China plan 1,320-MW coal-based power plant in Patuakhali

5 November 2017 | Asif Showkat Kallol | The Dhaka Tribune 
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The government has plans for a 1,320 coal-based power plant in Patuakhali. The joint venture agreement between Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) with Chinese state-owned Norinco International Ltd will be up for discussion at the Monday meeting of the Cabinet Division. 

The power plant is designed to go into effect from December 2021, according to sources from the Power Division. 

Norinco representatives are currently laying the groundwork for the project. 

RPCL Managing Director M Abdus Sabur said the project cost is estimated to be $2 billion. 

He said: “About 30% of the costs will be covered by equity investment and 70% will be a loan from the Chinese EXIM Bank. The loan will have a 4% interest rate and repayment period of 15 years with a five year grace period.” 

The project is expected to be completed by 2022. 

World Bank provides $185m for 310 MW of renewable capacity in Bangladesh

8 March 2019 | Syful Islam | PV Magazine  
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Renewable energy projects are ready to attract private investors in Bangladesh. Source: PV Magazine
Multilateral lender hopes to leverage $212 million more from the private sector as falling solar development costs make renewables more attractive. A solar plant with a 50 MW capacity in Feni will be one of the first to benefit from the new funds. 
The World Bank has approved $185 million for 310 MW of renewable energy capacity in Bangladesh. 
The international development lender’s Scaling-up Renewable Energy Project aims to mobilize $212 million in private sector funding to establish a Renewable Energy Financing Facility to provide credit to developers of rooftop and large-scale PV. 
The World Bank cash will mainly be channeled through Bangladesh’s Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), which has so far invested $2 billion in renewable energy and which aims to use the new funds to drive more than 300 MW of PV capacity by 2022 from rooftops alone. 
A senior official at IDCOL told pv magazine, with the production cost of electricity from renewable energy falling significantly and at par with fossil fuels, many businesses are keen to establish renewable energy power plants. 
Leveraging private investment 
The official added, any entrepreneur who wants to draw upon Scaling-up Renewable Energy Project cash will have to provide 20-30% of project costs themselves. 
With falling component prices making renewable projects more attractive to investors, it is anticipated commercial banks and other private backers will come forward, said the IDCOL official, adding: “This way … IDCOL will mobilize the stated $212 million for renewable power.” 
One of the first projects to be financed by the World Bank cash will be a 50 MW plant in the Feni district of Bangladesh. 
The World Bank credit comes from the lender’s International Development Association, which provides concessional financing, has a 30-year term that includes a five-year grace period, and an interest rate of 1.25% plus a service charge of 0.75%. 

Govt to Take Project to Supply Bhola’s Electricity to National Grid

22 November 2018 | Energy and Power 
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The government plans to undertake a project to supply electricity produced in non-grid Bhola Island to the national grid, said official concerned. 
To this end, the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) has already requested the Power Division for permission to set up a 230kv gridline from Bhola to Kachua. 
The gridline will help evacuate electricity from power plants at Bhola, including the proposed 600MW combined cycle dual-fuel power plant, to the national grid. 
Earlier, the PGCB managing director Masum-Al-Beruni proposed to set up the plant under bidder finance or public private partnership. 
A series of power giants from India and China have expressed their interests in implementing a number of national gridline projects in Bangladesh under public-private partnership (PPP) model, official confirmed. 
At least six Chinese companies and series of Indian companies including Adani Transmission Ltd have already shown their interest in implementing transmission projects in Bangladesh. 

IDCOL Arrange $135m For 3 Liquid Fuel Power Plant

4 December 2017 | Energy Bangla 
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Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), a government owned development financial institution involved in private sector energy and infrastructure financing in Bangladesh, has recently signed a term sheet with Confidence Group to raise USD 135 million term loan facility for establishment of three HFO fired IPP power plants in Bogra, Rangpur, and Chittagong having combined capacity of 280 MW. 
Confidence Power Bogra Limited, Confidence Power Rangpur Limited, and Zodiac Power Chittagong Limited will establish the said power plants at an estimated cost of USD 200 million with brand new European engines from MAN and Rolls-Royce. All power projects are expected to go into commercial operation by 2019. 
The program was graced by Mr. Mahmood Malik, Executive Director & CEO of IDCOL and Mr. RezaulKarim, Chairman of Confidence Group. Imran Karim, Group Managing Director of Confidence Group, Mr. Salman Karim, Group CEO of Confidence Group, Mr. Nazmul Haque, Director (Investment & Advisory), and Mr. Khalid Islam, Managing Director of all the three companies were also present at the program along with relevant team members. 
IDCOL, the largest energy and infrastructure financier of the country,has already financed power projects supplying more than 1,500 MW to the national grid. IDCOL looks forward to investing additional USD 1 billion by 2021 for development of priority infrastructure projects in Bangladesh.

IDCOL Financed Fossil Fuel Power Plants in Bangladesh

IDCOL is the largest local financier in the power sector of Bangladesh and has financed BDT 1.5 billion for installation of more than 1500 MW of power plants. Following are the major projects financed/approved by IDCOL:
1. BEDL Rental Power Plant: Sylhet: USD 4 million
2. Bhola Integrated Power Plant (Bhola IPP): Bhola: USD 22.3 million (till 2018)
3. Confidence Chittagong Power Plant (ECPVCL): Chittagong: USD 30 million
4. Lakdhanavi Bangla Dual Fuel Power Plant: Comilla: USD 15 million
5. Malancha Captive Power Plant: Savar, Dhaka: BDT 200 million
6. Powertek Meghnaghat Power Plant: Naryanganj: USD 80 million
7. Quantum HFO Based Power Plants: Jessore and Kushtia: BDT 1000 million
8. Regent Power Plant: Narsingdi: USD 30 million 
9. Shah Cement Captive Power Plant: Munshiganj: BDT 120 million   
10. Summit Ashulia Power Plant I: Dhaka: BDT 153 million
11. Summit Meghnaghat Power Plant II: Naryanganj: USD 30 million
12. Summit Purbanchol and Uttaranchol Gas Based Power Plants: BDT 600 million
  • Summit Jangalia Power Plant, Comilla
  • Summit Maona Power Plant, Gazipur
  • Summit Rupganj Power Plant, Narayanganj 
  • Summit Ullapara Power Plant, Sirajganj
13. Venture Gas Based Rental Power Plant: Bhola: BDT 200 million
Detail Link: IDCOL Power Sector Investments

Power coverage reaches 93pc people in Bangladesh: Says World Bank

26 May 2019 | The Daily Star 
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Bangladesh has made significant progress in access to electricity as its electrification coverage reached 93 percent, thanks to the stronger political commitment of the Awami League government. 

The World Bank in its just-published Energy Progress Report 2019 mentioned that among the countries with the largest population without access to electricity, Bangladesh, Kenya, Myanmar and Sudan have made the most progress. 

It said global electrification rate reached 89 percent; the number of people without electricity access dropped to around 840 million, compared to 1 billion in 2016 and 1.2 billion in 2010. 

But the AL government, led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, achieved tremendous success in the power and energy sector because of its realistic roadmap with an aim to reach power to every household by 2021. 

Talking to BSS, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said access to quality and reliable electricity is no more a dream as the country’s 93 percent people are now getting power, which was only 47 percent before 2009. 

According to power cell data, the power generation capacity of Bangladesh now stands at 21,419 MW, with power connections increasing to 3.32 crore while the number of power plants reached to 130.  

TRACKING SDG7 
The Energy Progress Report 2019 showed that despite the progress, reaching the remaining unserved people, including those connected to frail and overburdened urban grids, as well as displaced people, and hard-to-reach locations, will be challenging. An estimated 650 million people will be left without electricity access in 2030. 

The report tracks global, regional and country progress on the three targets of Sustainable Development Goal-7: access to energy and clean cooking, renewable energy and energy efficiency. It identifies priorities for action and best practices that have proven successful in helping policymakers and development partners understand what is needed to overcome challenges. 

Among the least electrified countries, South Sudan, Guinea-Bissau and Central African Republic have been electrified at around 3 percentage points each year since 2010. Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Nepal are currently among the fastest electrifying countries. 

Maintaining and extending the pace of progress in all regions and sectors will require stronger political commitment, long-term energy planning, increased private financing and adequate policy and fiscal incentives to spur faster deployment of new technologies, the report underscores.

Link: Power coverage reaches 93pc people in Bangladesh: Says World Bank

Bangladesh to invest in Bhutan’s hydropower

18 May 2016 | Kuense 
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Energy: A trilateral cooperation among Bhutan, Bangladesh and India that will enable Bangladesh to invest in the Bhutanese power sector to re-import the electricity could soon be a reality. 

A draft memorandum of understanding on the trilateral collaboration is being circulated among the three friendly countries. 

Bangladesh’s foreign minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, who was on a visit to the country last week, told Kuensel that his country will invest in the 1,125MW Dorjilung hydropower project in Lhuentse. He said India has agreed to Bangladesh’s proposal to invest in the project and provide transit for transmission of electricity from Bhutan. 

He had held talks with Indian officials on the project days before coming to Bhutan, in Dhaka. 

The trilateral cooperation will provide an opportunity for both the countries to diversify their energy markets. Bhutan is dependent on the Indian market for sale of its surplus power, as does Bangladesh for electricity import. 

Economic affairs minister Lekey Dorji said the detailed project report (DPR) is almost complete. Lyonpo said the project is estimated to cost about Nu 83 billion (B) at the November 2015 price. 

The Sheikh Hasina government of Bangladesh recently approved USD 1B for the project. The foreign minister said the money will be equity investment in the project, and Bangladesh will get a proportionate share of the production from the project. 

“We have been dreaming of importing power from Bhutan for a long time,” Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said. The dream, he said, will be an “absolute reality very soon … I have no doubt about it.” 

The fact that demand for power in both Bangladesh and India will keep increasing, he said presents a big economic opportunity for Bhutan. Bangladesh currently buys 500MW from India. 

Implementation of this project will not only uplift the relation between Bhutan and Bangladesh but also the trilateral relation. “We are poised to take a big leap in the trilateral cooperation,” the foreign minister said. 

In addition to Bangladesh’s share of production from the project, the foreign minister said his country is keen on importing either from the same project or other projects. That will be subject to negotiation among the three countries. 

Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali said Bangladesh is poised to become a middle-income country by 2018 and that his country needs to import power from Bhutan to meet the growing energy demand. 

Bangladesh recently announced 100 special economic zones for industrializsation. Within Bangladesh, power plants to generate 1000MW have been planned. 

The dam will be located about seven kilometres downstream of Autsho at a place called Rewan. It will be about 135m high from the deepest foundation. 

A head-race tunnel of 11m diameter will carry the water to the powerhouse at the confluence of the Kurichhu and Shongarchhu. 

In 2014, member states of SAARC signed a framework agreement for energy cooperation with the declared objective of creating a regional energy market and enhancement of cross-border electricity trade.

Local workers asked to leave plant site

The Daily Star | 23 June 2019 
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The authorities of Payra power plant have directed the Bangladeshi workers to leave the construction site and not return until further notice. 

The directive came four days after a clash broke out between the Bangladeshi and the Chinese workers at the power plant. 

According to Moni Shah Jico, junior assistant manager at Payra power plant, only Chinese workers would stay in the power plant area to repair their quarters and take other preparations to resume the construction work. 

During that time, Bangladeshi workers will not stay in the construction area, he added. 

Meanwhile, most of the Bangladeshi workers left their quarters before the direc-tion came. According to sources, there are 6,000 Bangladeshi workers in the site while only 1,500 of them were staying in their quarters yesterday. 

A violent clash erupted between the Bangladeshi and the Chinese workers as Swabindra Das, 32, a Bangladeshi worker, lost his life after falling from a 70-feet tall tower on Wednesday. 

The agitating Bangladeshi workers attacked the Chinese workers and vandalised the construction site of the power plant as rumors spread that Chinese workers mistakenly killed Swabindra and were trying to hide his body. 

During the clash, seven workers, including five Chinese, were seriously injured. 

Of the five Chinese workers, Zang Jon Seng, 26, an electrician at the power plant, died at Barishal Sher-E-Bangla Medical College Hospital on Thursday. 

Wang Le Jhing, security director of Payra power plant, filed two cases with Patua-khali’s Kalapara Police Station on Thursday night accusing 500 to 600 unidentified people in each. 

The cases were filed over the death of Zang Jon Seng and vandalism in the construction site of Payra power plant. 

The government deployed nearly 600 law enforcers in the plant area after the incident. 

Meanwhile, police arrested 16 people in connection with the cases. Four of them were sent to jail on Friday after police placed them before court. 

A total of 6,000 Bangladeshi and 2,700 Chinese employees work in the construction site of 1320-megawatt Payra Power Plant. 

With help of the Chinese Exim Bank, that Payra power plant is being built at a cost of $1.6 billion in Patuakhali district’s Kalapara upazila.

পায়রা বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে সংঘর্ষের ঘটনায় ১২ জন কারাগারে

বাংলা ট্রিবিউন । ২২ জুন ২০১৯
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পটুয়াখালীর কলাপাড়ায় নির্মাণাধীন পায়রা তাপ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে হামলা, ভাঙচুর, লুটপাট ও এক শ্রমিক হত্যার ঘটনায় ১২ জনকে কারাগারে পাঠানো হয়েছে। শনিবার (২২ জুন) দুপুরে তাদের কলাপাড়া আদালতে হাজির করা হলে বিচারক জেল হাজতে পাঠান। 
কলাপাড়া থানার উপ-পরিদর্শক মো. শাখাওয়াত ও কলাপাড়া থানার ওসি মো. মনিরুল ইসলাম জানান, বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের ঘটনায় ১২ শ্রমিককে ঢাকার দক্ষিণ কেরানীগঞ্জ থেকে গ্রেফতার করা হয়। তারা হলো- মো. নাসির, সুজন, আবদুল লতিফ, আতিকুর রহমান, ইমাম হাসান, মেহেদী হাসান, রাসেল আলী, শামিম মিয়া, মামুন, আইয়ুব, ফারুক ও বেল্লাল। এদের সবার বাড়ি বাংলাদেশের বিভিন্ন জেলায় বলে জানা গেছে। এর আগে শুক্রবার চারজনকে জেলে পাঠানো হয়। 
বৃহস্পতিবার (২০ জুন) রাতে কলাপাড়া থানায় পৃথক দুইটি মামলা দায়ের করা হয়। পায়রা তাপ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের নিরাপত্তা পরিচালক ওয়াং লিবিং বাদী হয়ে অজ্ঞাত এক হাজার জনকে আসামি করে এ দুইটি মামলা দায়ের করেন। 
তাপ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের সহকারী প্রকৌশলী জারজিজ তালুকদার জানান, এখন পরিস্থিতি শান্ত রয়েছে। তবে ওই ঘটনার পর বাঙালি শ্রমিকদের মধ্যে কিছুটা ভীতি কাজ করছে। যাদের মধ্যে একটু ভয় কাজ করছে, তারা ইচ্ছা করলে বাড়ি বা কোথাও ঘুরে আসতে পারেন। তাহলে, তাদের মানসিক অবস্থার উন্নতি হতে পারে। তবে, হামলা সংঘর্ষের পর চায়নাদের কাজে কোনও প্রভাব পড়েনি। তারা কাজের বিষয়ে পজিটিভ। এখন ফিজিক্যাল কাজ বন্ধ থাকলেও আনুষঙ্গিক কাজ চলমান রয়েছে। তাড়াতাড়ি ফিজিক্যাল কাজ শুরু হবে। 
পটুয়াখালী জেলা প্রশাসক মতিউল ইসলাম চৌধুরী জানান, প্রশাসনের পক্ষ থেকে অতিরিক্ত জেলা ম্যাজিস্ট্রেটকে আহ্বায়ক করে একটি তদন্ত কমিটি গঠন করা হয়েছে। এছাড়াও পুলিশ এবং পায়রা তাপ বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের কর্তৃপক্ষের নেতৃত্বে মোট তিনটি তদন্ত কমিটি করা হয়েছে। যাদের ৭ কার্যদিবসের মধ্যে প্রতিবেদন জমা দিতে বলা হয়েছে। 
উল্লেখ্য, মঙ্গলবার (১৮ জুন) বিকালে বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রর ব্রয়লার থেকে পড়ে নিহত বাঙালি শ্রমিক সাবিন্দ্র দাসের (৩৩) লাশ গুম করার গুজবে বিকাল থেকে মধ্যরাত অবধি বাঙালি ও চায়না শ্রমিকদের মধ্যে দফায় দফায় সংঘর্ষে আহত চায়না শ্রমিক নিহত হন। বুধবার বিদ্যুৎ প্রতিমন্ত্রী নসরুল হামিদসহ সরকারের উচ্চপর্যায়ের প্রতিনিধি দল পায়রা বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের ঘটনাস্থল পরিদর্শন করে শ্রমিকদের সঙ্গে কথা বলেন। এ ঘটনা তদন্তে তিনটি তদন্ত কমিটি গঠন করা হয়।

পায়রা বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে সংঘর্ষে চীনা নাগরিক নিহত

দৈনিক বণিকবার্তা । ২০ জুন ২০১৯
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বয়লার থেকে পড়ে বাংলাদেশী শ্রমিক সাবিন্দ্র দাসের (৩২) মৃত্যু হয় মঙ্গলবার বিকালে। চীনা শ্রমিকদের বিরুদ্ধে অভিযোগ ওঠে সাবিন্দ্র দাসকে বয়লারের ওপর থেকে ফেলে দেয়ার। এ নিয়ে উত্তেজনা ছড়িয়ে পড়লে ওইদিন রাতে সংঘর্ষে জড়ান পটুয়াখালীর কলাপাড়ায় পায়রা তাপবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের বাংলাদেশী ও চীনা শ্রমিকরা। এতে গুরুতর আহত ঝাং ইয়াং ফাং নামে এক চীনা নাগরিক গতকাল মারা যান। ঝাং ইয়াং ফাং পায়রা বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র প্রকল্পে ইলেকট্রিশিয়ান পদে কর্মরত ছিলেন। 
পায়রা তাপবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের এ ঘটনা তদন্তে পটুয়াখালী জেলা প্রশাসন, বাংলাদেশ-চায়না পাওয়ার কোম্পানি লিমিটেড (বিসিপিসিএল) ও ইপিসি পৃথক তিনটি কমিটি গঠন করেছে। গতকালই ঘটনাস্থল পরিদর্শন করেছেন বিদ্যুৎ প্রতিমন্ত্রী নসরুল হামিদ। 
জানা গেছে, পায়রা কয়লাভিত্তিক ১ হাজার ৩২০ মেগাওয়াট বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র প্রকল্পে কাজ করছেন প্রায় ছয় হাজার ব্যক্তি। এর মধ্যে চীনা নাগরিক রয়েছেন দুই হাজার। মঙ্গলবারের ওই সংঘর্ষের ঘটনা ঘটে সাবিন্দ্র দাস নামে এক বাংলাদেশী শ্রমিকের মৃত্যুকে কেন্দ্র করে। মঙ্গলবার বিকালে বয়লার থেকে পড়ে মারা যান প্রকল্পের শ্রমিক হবিগঞ্জ জেলার নবীগঞ্জ উপজেলার জয়নগর গ্রামের সাবিন্দ্র দাস। এ ঘটনায় স্থানীয়রা চীনাদের দোষারোপ করলে দুই পক্ষে উত্তেজনা দেখা দেয়। একপর্যায়ে মঙ্গলবার রাতে কয়েকশ বাংলাদেশী ও চীনা শ্রমিক সংঘর্ষে জড়িয়ে পড়েন। সংঘর্ষে ঝাং ইয়াং ফাং মাথায় গুরুতর আঘাত পান। বরিশাল মেডিকেল কলেজ হাসপাতালে চিকিৎসাধীন অবস্থায় গতকাল সকালে তার মৃত্যু হয়। গুরুতর আহত আরো পাঁচ চীনা নাগরিক ও দুই বাংলাদেশীকে হাসপাতালে ভর্তি করা হয়। 
বরিশাল শেবাচিম হাসপাতালের পরিচালক ডা. মো. বাকির হোসেন বলেন, কলাপাড়া থেকে মঙ্গলবার দিবাগত রাতে সেখানে কর্মরত ছয়জন চীনা নাগরিক ও দুজন বাংলাদেশী শ্রমিককে হাসপাতালে ভর্তি করা হয়। এর মধ্যে মাথায় অতিরিক্ত রক্তক্ষরণের কারণে ঝাং ইয়াং ফাংয়ের মৃত্যু হয়েছে। বাকি পাঁচজন চীনা নাগরিককে গতকাল সকালে ঢাকায় পাঠানো হয়েছে। 
এ ঘটনায় বিসিপিসিএল, ইপিসি ও স্থানীয় প্রশাসনের সমন্বয়ে পৃথক তিনটি তদন্ত কমিটি গঠন করা হয়েছে। পটুয়াখালী জেলা প্রশাসক মতিউল ইসলাম চৌধুরী বিষয়টি নিশ্চিত করে বলেন, খবর পেয়ে তাত্ক্ষণিকভাবে ঘটনাস্থলে যাই। আহত চীনা ও বাংলাদেশী শ্রমিকদের উদ্ধার করে পটুয়াখালী হাসপাতালে ভর্তি করি। পরে উন্নত চিকিৎসার জন্য বরিশালে পাঠানো হলে চিকিৎসাধীন অবস্থায় এক চীনা নাগরিক মারা যান। পরিস্থিতি এখন শান্ত রয়েছে। এছাড়া বিদ্যুৎ প্রতিমন্ত্রী, সচিব, বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের সংশ্লিষ্ট কর্মকর্তাদের সঙ্গে এ নিয়ে যৌথ সভা করা হয়েছে। 
সংঘর্ষে প্রাণহানির ঘটনায় পায়রা তাপবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র এলাকায় বাড়তি পুলিশ মোতায়েন করা হয়েছে। পুলিশের বরিশাল রেঞ্জের ডিআইজি শফিকুল ইসলাম গতকাল বিকালে বলেন, কলাপাড়ার পরিস্থিতি শান্ত রয়েছে। পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে রাখতে সেখানে আইন-শৃঙ্খলা রক্ষাকারী বাহিনীর অতিরিক্ত সদস্য মোতায়েন করা হয়েছে। তাপবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের প্রজেক্ট ম্যানেজার লিউ সি ইলেকট্রিশিয়ান ঝাং ইয়াং ফাংয়ের মরদেহের ময়নাতদন্ত ছাড়াই নিতে চেয়ে আবেদন করেন। তার আবেদনের পরিপ্রেক্ষিতে ময়নাতদন্ত ছাড়াই মরদেহ তাদের কাছে হস্তান্তর করা হয়েছে। 
বিদ্যুৎ প্রকল্প এলাকায় প্রাণহানির ঘটনায় হেলিকপ্টারে গতকাল সকালেই ঘটনাস্থলে পৌঁছেন বিদ্যুৎ, জ্বালানি ও খনিজ সম্পদ প্রতিমন্ত্রী নসরুল হামিদ। তিনি প্রকল্প এলাকা ঘুরে দেখেন। এরপর বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের কর্মকর্তাদের সঙ্গে জরুরি সভা করেন। বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের কর্মকর্তারা তাকে সার্বিক পরিস্থিতি অবহিত করেন। 
পটুয়াখালী জেলার পায়রার আন্ধারমানিক নদীর তীরে কয়লাবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রটি নির্মাণ করছে বিসিপিসিএল। বাংলাদেশের নর্থওয়েস্ট পাওয়ার জেনারেশন কোম্পানি লিমিটেড ও চায়না ন্যাশনাল মেশিনারি ইম্পোর্ট অ্যান্ড এক্সপোর্ট করপোরেশন (সিএমসি) একটি যৌথ কোম্পানি এটি। বিদ্যুৎ বিভাগের তথ্য অনুযায়ী, সরকারি-বেসরকারি ও জয়েন্ট ভেঞ্চারে নির্মিতব্য ২০টি কয়লাভিত্তিক বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের মধ্যে ২০১৭ সালের শেষ দিকে নির্মাণকাজ শুরু করে দ্রুততম সময়ের মধ্যে শেষ হতে যাচ্ছে পায়রা কয়লাবিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রটি। আগামী আগস্টের মধ্যে ৬৬০ মেগাওয়াট সক্ষমতার প্রথম ইউনিটটি উৎপাদনে আসার কথা রয়েছে। এর মধ্য দিয়ে দেশে প্রথমবারের মতো কয়লাভিত্তিক বড় কোনো বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র উৎপাদনে আসছে। 
মিরসরাইয়ে শ্রমিকের মৃত্যু
মিরসরাই অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চল এলাকায় রোববার রাতে ঠিকাদারি প্রতিষ্ঠান ওয়াহিদ কনস্ট্রাকশন লিমিটেডের এক কর্মীর মরদেহ উদ্ধারের ঘটনায় মামলা হয়েছে। মিরসরাই অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চলের ভূমি উন্নয়ন প্রকল্পের ম্যানেজার আবুল কালাম আজাদ বাদী হয়ে চট্টগ্রামের জোরারগঞ্জ থানায় মামলাটি করেন। মামলায় কারো নাম উল্লেখ করা না হলেও ধারণা করা হচ্ছে, হামলার সঙ্গে যুক্ত থাকার সন্দেহে চায়না হারবারের অজ্ঞাতনামা ২০-২৫ জন আসামি রয়েছে। 
ওয়াহিদ কনস্ট্রাকশনের কর্মী নিহত নান্নু মিয়ার স্ত্রী সুলতানা মাফিয়া মনিরা বলেন, আমার স্বামীকে পরিকল্পিতভাবে হত্যা করা হয়েছে। কোম্পানির সঙ্গে চায়না হারবারের শত্রুতার বলি হয়েছেন তিনি। আমি এ হত্যাকাণ্ডের বিচার চাই। 
জোরারগঞ্জ থানার ওসি (তদন্ত) মোজাম্মেল হক জানান, ওয়াহিদ কনস্ট্রাকশনের পক্ষ থেকে নান্নু হোসেন মিয়ার মরদেহ উদ্ধারের ঘটনায় জোরারগঞ্জ থানায় একটি মামলা করা হয়েছে। বিষয়টি গুরুত্বসহকারে দেখা হচ্ছে।

পায়রা বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রে সংঘর্ষে চীনা নাগরিক নিহত

বিডিনিউজ২৪.কম । ২০ জুন ২০১৯ 
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পটুয়াখালীর কলাপাড়ায় পায়রা তাপ বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রে বাংলাদেশি ও চীনা শ্রমিকদের সংঘর্ষে এক চীনা নাগরিকের মৃত্যু হয়েছে, আহত হয়েছেন অন্তত ৭ জন। 

কলাপাড়া থানার ওসি মনিরুল ইসলাম জানান, মঙ্গলবার সকালে বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের বয়লারের উপর থেকে পড়ে গিয়ে সাবিন্দ্র দাস নামে এক বাংলাদেশি শ্রমিকের মৃত্যু হয়। এর জের ধরে চীনা ও বাঙালি শ্রমিকরা বিকালে সংঘর্ষে জড়িয়ে পড়ে। 

পরে পুলিশ গিয়ে পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণে আনে। আহত অবস্থায় আটজনকে পাঠানো হয় বরিশাল শের-ই বাংলা মেডিকেল কলেজ হাসপাতালে। 

সেখানে চিকিৎসাধীন অবস্থায় বুধবার ভোরে জেং ইয়াং খ্যাং নামে ২৬ বছর বয়সী এক চীনা নাগরিকের মৃত্যু হয় বলে হাসপাতালের পরিচালক বাকির হোসেন জানান। 

তিনি বলেন, পটুয়াখালী হাসপাতাল থেকে মঙ্গলবার রাত ২টার দিকে ছয় চীনা নাগরিককে বরিশাল মেডিকেলে আনা হয়। কিছুক্ষণ পর আরও দুই বাঙালিকে ভর্তি করা হয়। তারা সবাই পায়রা তাপ বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের কর্মী। 

“নিহত জেং এর মাথায় আঘাত গুরুতর ছিল, প্রচুর রক্তক্ষরণ হচ্ছিল। ভোরের দিকে তার মৃত্যু হয়।” 

বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের কর্মীদের সঙ্গে কথা বলে জানা যায়, বয়লারের উপর থেকে পড়ে ঘটনাস্থলেই নিহত সাবিন্দ্র দাসের (৩২) বাড়ি হবিগঞ্জ জেলায়। 

এক চীনা কর্মী সাবিন্দ্রকে লাথি দিয়ে নিচে ফেলে দিয়েছিল বলে অভিযোগ উঠলে বাঙালি শ্রমিকদের মধ্যে উত্তেজনা ছড়িয়ে পড়ে। তবে চীনা কর্মীরা দাবি করেন, অসাবধানতায় নিচে পড়ে গিয়েছিলেন সাবিন্দ্র। 

এ নিয়ে উত্তেজনার মধ্যে বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের ভেতরে সাবিন্দ্রর লাশ নিয়ে বিক্ষোভ মিছিল করে বাঙালি শ্রমিকরা। খবর পেয়ে পুলিশ তার লাশ উদ্ধার করে মর্গে পাঠায়। 

দিনভর চরম উত্তেজনার পর বিকেলে বাঙালি শ্রমিকদের সঙ্গে চীনাদের সংঘর্ষ হয়। পুলিশ পরিস্থিতি নিয়ন্ত্রণ করতে গেলে তিন পক্ষের মধ্যে দফায় দফায় ধাওয়া পাল্টা ধাওয়া চলে। এ সময় বিদ্যুৎ কেন্দ্রের ভেতরে ভাঙচুরও করা হয়। 

ওসি মনিরুল বলেন, বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্রের পরিস্থিতি এখন শান্ত রয়েছে। ঘটনাস্থলে বাড়তি পুলিশ মোতায়েন করা হয়েছে। 

ওই ঘটনার বিষয়ে বিদ্যুৎকেন্দ্র কর্তৃপক্ষের বক্তব্য বিডিনিউজ টোয়েন্টিফোর ডটকম জানতে পারেনি।

Chinese worker killed in clashes at Bangladesh power plant

Reuters | 19 June 2019 
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Clashes erupted between Bangladeshi and Chinese construction workers at a Chinese-funded power station in southern Bangladesh on Wednesday in which a Chinese worker was killed, the manager said. 

The Bangladeshis were angered when a colleague fell to his death at the plant near the port of Payra, 200 miles (320 km) from Dhaka. 

“During the clashes the Chinese worker was hit and received serious injuries to his head,” Addul Mowla, general manager of the Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL), said. 

The worker died in hospital. Six Chinese workers were wounded. 

China is investing billions of dollars in ports, power stations and roads in Bangladesh and tensions have erupted in the past. The $2.5 billion coal-fired plant employs about 8,000 workers, of which 2,000 are Chinese
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