Barguna power plant execution in full swing: Adverse impacts to be offset

13 October 2018 | Sujan Mia | Daily Asian Age
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The government has permitted another coal-fired power plant with a generation capacity of 350MG to be set up in Barguna district by Iso Tech Electrification Company Limited in collaboration with Power China Resource Limited at a cost of US 540 million, power division sources have said. 
 
The government has come to realization that sustainable power supply is a major precondition for socio-economic development as well as improvement the quality of life of people in the society. 
 
Bangladesh needs to generate more energy to meet the new challenges in the days to come, global innovation index research shows. Bangladesh has initiated mega action plan to generate 60 thousand mega watt power by 2041 with a view to attaining Bangladesh into a improved country. 
 
The government allows generating power by paying close attention to mitigate adverse environmental impacts, the sources said. Referring to the coal-fired power plant project in Barguna, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman Md. Tajul Islam, MP told The Asian Age that such plans go well all over the world despite negative environment impacts, but at the same time modern technology is capable enough to intervene in case of such environmental hazards. 
 
The government's Power Division Secretary Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus has informed the correspondent that work on the coal-fired power plant located at Taltali upazila in Borguna district goes on under the monitoring of concerned ministry. 
 
The government will back the plant to be ended in due time. He also said the information has come to their knowledge regarding some irregularities from the news events published in different media, but the concerned ministry has not got any complaints. Regarding coal-fired power plant and its impact on environment, Power Cell Director General Engineer 
 
Mohammad Hossain told The Asian Age that though the power generation cost varies depending on investment capacity, location, transport and other ingredients, coal-fired power generation cost is less than LNG and other fuels. The Bangladesh government by considering all respects has decided to set up the 350 MW coal-fired plant at Taltali upazila in Barguna district, he said. 
 
The company Managing Director Moinul Alam said as per the agreement power plant installation has to end within 45 months. The avenue of new employment will be created after comes into operation. 
 
The Iso Tech Company media adviser Firoz Chowdhury told the correspondent that vested quarters are making allegations against the project in order to their own interests. We keep the local administration aware of such h in PDB land hazards. 
 
Besides, the landless inhabitants will be rehabilitated in PDB land by the Iso tech in the project area and for this purpose the company has already purchased 3 acres of land. A lot of employment opportunities are also being created.