http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2010/01/20/news0570.htm
200mw power from wind, hydro plants planned
Shamim Jahangir, back from Chittagong
The government is contemplating to produce 200MW of electricity by using renewable energy sources in Chittagong as the gas-fired power plants are forced to close down due to gas crisis.
Of the proposed electricity, 100MW wind-based power plant will be installed at Anwara Parky beach in Chittagong while another two units will be set up in Karnafuli Hydro Power Plant in Kaptai.
Besides, the Power Development Board (PDB) has plans to install a dozen of micro hydro power plants having generation capacity of 225.5kilowatts (KW) in greater Chittagong.
The PDB has already selected the site for installation of the wind based power plant at Parkirchar under Anwara upazila, Chittagong.
PDB Chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir said that international tender will be invited soon to set up the wind based power plant in Anwara.
“We would have complete prequalification to install the power plants by June next,” he said.
The Karnafuli Hydro Power Station authority has placed a development project proposal (DPP) in 2008 to install two units in the existing power plant site which was pending for planning commission decision.
In 1998, Tokyo Electric Power Services Company limited carried out detail field study for the feasibility of the 6th and 7th units and submitted a report in March, 1999. The report recommended that the Kaptai extension of unit no 6 and 7 would provide a significant and economically attractive contribution to the power generation of Bangladesh.
Later, a social impact assessment (SIA) was also conducted which favoured the implementation of the project in consultation with the local people.
Headed by PDB Member (P&D) Md Delwar Hossain, the Power Division constituted a four-member committee to prepare a study report on the hydro power potential in hilly regions and rivers in the country three months ago.
Delwar Hossain told The New Nation that the hydro power potentiality is very limited in the country. “But there are some prospect to install few mega and some micro power plants in three hilly districts in Chittagong,” he said.
He said that his committee recently recommended the Power Division to conduct further feasibility study to install another two units in Kaptai Power Plant.
“We have visited 12 sites in hill districts to conduct study to install the micro hydro power plants, which have some prospect to install 2kilowatt to 65KW power plants” he said.
The prospective sites to install the micro hydro plants are: Nunchari (3KW) in Khagrachari, Chang-oo-Para (30KW), Liragaon (25KW), Bangchari (20), Kamal Chari (20KW), Monjai Para (7.5KW), Monjaipara (10KW) in Banderban, Thang Khrue Chara Mukh (30KW), Manikchari (2KW), Mitingachara (10KW) in Rangamati and Bamerchara (3KW) and Mohamaya Char (65KW) in Chittagong.
“Power Division will install the micro hydro power plants with the assistance of the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs,” he said adding that consultation with local people would also be needed to install the plant.
Eng Md Ferdaush Ali, Manager of Karnafuli Hydro Power Station said that his team has already sat with the tribal leaders and local administration several times. “Tribal leaders agreed to the proposal for installation of two units in the existing plant,” he said adding, “We have a site ready for installing the two units.”
