The Maitree power plant, which is one of the newest and most controversial coal-burning facilities in the world, faced significant challenges soon after its launch. Within a month of operation in December, it had to come to a halt due to a lack of coal. This pattern repeated in April, when the plant remained idle for 23 days. It was unable to generate electricity or recoup the $2 billion spent on its construction because it simply did not have the necessary coal supply.
This situation serves as a warning for other coal plants worldwide, as they could encounter similar issues in the future. The Maitree plant experienced a temporary shutdown because it lacked the foreign currency required to import coal from Indonesia. The Bangladeshi taka depreciated in value, while commodity prices, including coal, sharply rose, exacerbating the problem.
Furthermore, coal plants may face challenges in the coming years as renewable energy sources such as wind and solar become more affordable. This trend will make it increasingly difficult to sustain coal plants, including new ones that have not yet recovered their investments. The Maitree power plant, for instance, is expected to take 25 years to achieve this milestone. In the case of publicly funded projects, taxpayers may ultimately bear the financial burden.
Despite the difficulties, the Bangladeshi government remains committed to providing affordable and reliable electricity to support the country’s industrial growth. The energy minister, Nasrul Hamid, defended the decision to build the plant, citing the unforeseen challenges faced, such as the global rise in coal prices and the foreign currency shortage. He emphasized the need for energy, whether from fossil fuels or other sources.
Nevertheless, Bangladesh, along with other Asian countries, is gradually shifting its stance on coal. The government has canceled the construction of 12 coal-burning power plants in recent years and aims to obtain 40% of its electricity from clean energy sources like gas by 2040. The country is also exploring offshore wind and hydropower options in collaboration with Nepal.
This shift away from coal is not unique to Bangladesh. India recently announced a five-year suspension of new coal plant projects, while old coal plants are being retired and new projects canceled in various parts of the world, according to Global Energy Monitor. China, however, remains an outlier, as it continues to build more coal plants than the rest of the world combined.
The Maitree coal project in Rampal has faced additional challenges due to its proximity to the Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest globally and a UNESCO world heritage site. Environmentalists contend that the coal plant could harm the forest’s air and water, endangering species such as the Bengal tiger and rare river dolphins.
The coal plant’s managers claim to have taken precautions to mitigate environmental risks, such as transporting coal in covered barges to prevent coal dust dispersion and selling gypsum byproducts to cement factories. They assure that ash ponds will be properly covered. However, critics argue that the plant’s location and potential consequences highlight flaws in the initial planning and allocation of public funds.
The rollout of coal projects in Bangladesh aligns with the country’s diplomatic strategy. The Maitree plant is a joint venture with India’s National Thermal Power Corporation, while electricity from another coal plant in India, operated by the conglomerate Adani, is being transmitted to Bangladesh. China has contributed to the construction of two coal plants, and Japan is funding a project in Matarbari that is currently under construction.
For Bangladeshi citizens, the cost of coal-burning electricity has exceeded expectations and has proven to be unreliable. Just as the Maitree plant resumed operations in mid-May after securing foreign currency for coal supplies, another state-owned company’s Payra plant temporarily shut down due to a lack of coal. These challenges have contributed to power cuts during sweltering conditions in Bangladesh.
Interestingly, a nearby coal plant that was initially planned has now been transformed into the country’s second-largest solar farm, reflecting the changing priorities and emerging alternatives in Bangladesh’s energy sector.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
