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That is massive! Energy advisor to the PM…!!! Sounds more like connect ramping on the bb haha!
Apologies for lack of capitals in Tawfiq E Elahi Chowdhury’s name in the last post … it’s late haha
it’s obviously very good news for us that tawfiq e elahi chowdhury the pm’s energy advisor finally seems to be very ****ed off with the import costs!!!
“energy advisor to prime minister of bangladesh dr tawfiq e elahi chowdhury bb informed that an additional us$14 billion was required to be spent for meeting fuel import bills due to the global fuel market turbulence. he termed it a robbery.”
Sorry, another long post, with a copy and paste of some important parts …..
“The present energy supply situation and apprehensions over deepening the crisis are due to a combination of years of gross negligence of policymakers to prioritize exploration and exploitation of domestic fuel resources. Without assessing the depth and diversity of the challenges, the policymakers opted for increasing reliance on imported fuel keeping precious coal and petroleum resources buried underground. Relevant experts kept repeatedly alerting the government of dire consequences. But all went unheeded.”
“Bangladesh moved away from the self-reliant energy philosophy of the father of the nation. People may also question the sincerity of the policymakers in getting out of the crisis. The obvious consequence is that with over 29,000MW installed power generation capacity (grid, non-grid, import, and renewables), the government has no clue how to meet 16,500-17,000MW peak power load in the ensuing summer.”
“In the present business-as-usual process, it is extremely difficult to comprehend how the emerging crises of 2024 and 2025 will be managed.”
“But in the process of increasing generation capacity, not much attention has been given to assured fuel supply, expansion of the power transmission grid, and modernization of the power distribution network. Geographical challenges constrain Bangladesh from setting up expensive infrastructure for fuel imports.”
“Bangladesh followed the wrong policy in exploring and exploiting local fuel resources. Very high-quality coal resources (less sulfur, low ash, and high-heating value) remain virtually unexplored. Petroleum resources onshore and offshore have not been explored. These have led to state-owned enterprises like BPDB, Petrobangla, and BPC almost going bankrupt with huge outstanding payments. The government cannot afford to pay huge subsidies to the power and energy sector.”
“There is some issue with evacuating full capacity from the Matarbari and Bashkhali power plants. Also, there is a genuine issue of dollar shortage for purchasing coal.”
“There is a wrong belief that coal exploration will create desertification in the coal region, and the aquifer will be impacted. But all coal mines elsewhere in the world did not create deserts. There exists off-the-shelf technology for managing aquifers, managing mine water, and reclaiming agricultural land. Authentic study reports are available to the government. But the uninformed guess of some policymakers keeps the government in dilemma over mining coal.”
“Without energy security, the dreams of developing the economy, smart Bangladesh may not come true.”
https://ep-bd.com/view/details/article/OTk3MQ%3D%3D/title?q=energy+sector+scenario+of+bangladesh
Sorry for the long post but, I have copied and paste parts of this article, below….
WOW!! Just how bigger problem does Bangladesh really have!!
COMPARATIVELY COMFORTABLE SUMMER LIKELY
“Too much reliance on expensive liquid fuel-based generation may also not be required if coal and gas supply for power generation can be ensured at a reasonable level. However, a setback may emerge if there are issues with coal and LNG imports as well as payments against power imports.”
“There are some issues with coal-based power plants as well. A US$600 million payment has been accrued for coal imported till February 2024. Preparation has been taken to pay US$80-90 million this month. Around US$160 million is required every month to import coal for the four large, imported coal power plants. Payra power plant could pay for coal till June 2023. The SA Group-owned plant at Bashkhali has not received any payment since it started commercial operation. Payment remains outstanding for the Rampal and Matarbari power plants as well. These payments need to be realized to keep all coal power plants in operation until September. BPDB has no resources for making payments unless they get a special grant or subsidy from the government.”
“However, the question arises as the power and energy sector has been managed in crisis management mode over the past two years. There exists a huge crisis in the dollar and local currency availability. Hence power and energy sectors huff and puff with outstanding payments. The banking sector, though interested in investment in power, has now turned around. The crisis in fuel imports is getting intense. Whatever the power sector earns in trading power is barely enough to meet regular expenses. Hence outstanding payments are accruing.”
“Experts and analysts apprehend that power supply chain management may turn vulnerable unless the dollar and taka supply crisis can not be successfully confronted within the next few months. There is no doubt that such a crisis did not exist before COVID impacts and the Russia-Ukraine war. Energy Advisor to Prime Minister of Bangladesh Dr Tawfiq E Elahi Chowdhury BB informed that an additional US$14 billion was required to be spent for meeting fuel import bills due to the global fuel market turbulence. He termed it a robbery.”
“The government must work in cohesion with all relevant stakeholders. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources cannot achieve much on a stand-alone basis. Failure to work together will increase outstanding payments. State-owned enterprises will increasingly lose capacity. Consequently, despite having installed capacity, the power sector may run into a serious crisis.”
https://ep-bd.com/view/details/article/MTAwMzY%3D/popular-article/title?q=comparatively+comfortable+summer+likely
Https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=466852
150 MW load-shedding in Ctg against demand of 1100 MW
Published : Monday, 1 April, 2024 at 12:00 AM Count : 51
Nurul Amin
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CHATTOGRAM, Mar 31: Chattogram region is regularly facing a load- shedding from 50 to 150 MW.
According to Power Development Board (PDB), the regular demand of power in Chattogram is varying from 1050 MW to 1100 MW.
But currently, Chattogram is witnessing a load- shedding of 150 MW daily.
When contacted Rezaul Karin Chief Engineer of Chattogram at 4.45 pm on Sunday, said that just now the authorities declared to withdrawal of load- shedding in entire Chattogram Zone.
But it may continue for few hours. After the Iftar, load- shedding may again vex the region.
Meanwhile a total of 26 power plants with the installed capacity of generation at 4400 MW in Chattogram Zone are now generating nearly 2000 MW on Sunday, according to PDB sources. Of them three gas fired power plants with installed capacity of 570 MW have remained suspended due to shortage of gas.
The two units of Chattogram Thermal power plant at Raojan with the installed capacity of 420 MW remained suspended for a long time for both shortage of gas and mechanical problems.
Besides, first and second units of Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project with the generation capacity of 1200 MW have been generating over 900 MW on Sunday.
Five hydro- power units at Kaptai with the installed capacity of 230 MW have been generating only 30 MW for lower level of water in the Kaptai lake, PDB sources said.
The first unit of Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project went on generation in the past year.
But the second unit also have completed test run recently, said Managing Director of Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Ltd (CPGCL) Abul Kalam Azad. Presently both the units have been generating over 900 MW, he said.
The trial production of the first unit of two unit power plant has been completed in the first week of September last year after test run of over one month generating 600 MW power.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the first unit in November last.
Meanwhile, the Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL) has implemented two units Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Project. CPGCBL, a state-owned enterprise of the of Bangladesh, developed the project at a cost of Taka 51,854.88 crore.
If the plant goes to commercial operation, the entire plant will require 10,000 tonnes of coal everyday, each unit requiring 5,000 tonnes.
Four tanks having storage capacity of 17 lakh tonnes have already been built alongside two jetties at the project site to unload the coal to the tanks directly from the ships, the project director said.
The tanks
So with a gas shortage, one power plant has already closed down, and the coal plant needs the following …..
“If the plant goes to commercial operation, the entire plant will require 10,000 tonnes of coal everyday, each unit requiring 5,000 tonnes”
Sorry, can’t add more, now on way out the door hahaha
https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=466852
Hawkspear. We do indeed have similar mindsets. As an aside my original choice of career was to be in mining engineering to HND or Degree level, but when I saw Macgregor's plan for coal. (Thatchers got one, Macgregor is one and we want one as per the miners strike placards at ferrybridge c power station). I changed my mind and got a degree in Agricultural Animal Science instead. Farming is a funny game as you need a working knowledge of many subjects. As a Farm manager you might need to communicate with vets, feed reps, soil scientists, geneticists, equipment suppliers etc to name but a few. I have also had a lot of conversations with mechanical engineers as many big farms have a well equipped workshop on site. Full engine rebuilds, fabrication of bespoke equipment and such like are not uncommon.
That's interesting DJM27 your background is in farming and mine is in mechanical engineering, both of which aren't a million miles away from mining. I have to agree with you that open cast mining is the way forward for both Bangladesh and GCM its not only cheaper, quicker and more efficient but it gives many advantages to the Bangladeshi people to get their economies on a firmer footing, growth is essential to this country.
Hawkspear. Fair enough I agree with you that electric powered vehicles and battery technology are improving all the time. I think that we are in agreement that open cast mining would be good for the Bangladeshi economy. The proof of the pudding will be when the mine starts its preparatory work and then production. Shareholders will have access to the equipment inventory. Who knows, maybe the equipment used might be newly launched models. The various BOD's and advisors will decide on equipment that is both cost effective and up to the job. If the equipment is also environmentally friendly that would be the icing on the cake! At present battery powered equipment is available but is only suitable for niche applications, although the equipment manufacturers like to give the impression that there tackle is the best thing since sliced bread. In my own experience of electric tractors they are only at present useful for yard work (short shifts), the internal combustion engine is king for field work where 16 hour plus shifts are needed to get the job done before rain stops play!
Regarding the overburden at Phulbari I agree that it may present a challenge to clear the area using electric powered mining equipment, but I think that it could and would be done in the conventional way, it's a bit like power generation arguement no one solution fits all, so compromise is always on the agenda.
further to your comments yesterday phulbari. the fact no anti phulbari squad has mobilised to date, given press releases, energy minister openly talking open pit mining tells its own story (probably the full story).
a lot has changed since 2005, namely it was hasina’s first term (public and international image had big importance) with 2024 she’s just been reelected for her last….
20 years in govt later she’s (hopefully) realised imf loans are bleeding them dry (take neighbouring ****stan as a prime example), with recent investment from in main the chinese govt, bangla are moving in the right direction. mining what’s in their back yards needs to be done now by them or it will be done later to pay interests on debt by someone else.
DJM27 I wasn't suggesting that we use fully electric draglines. What I was saying in relation to your statement about using electric vehicles for mining was that I think that is entirely possible to use electric powered mining equipment without any major problems. I was merely trying to say that electric powered mining equipment was now being used to good effect in different parts of the world without any problems.
Hawkspear. Electric mining equipment. I think we have a chicken and egg situation with mining equipment suitable for Bangladeshi conditions. Fully electric draglines need a High voltage (perhaps13,500 Volt) power supply to be cabled in. The reason why they want to mine their own coal is to stabilise their power supply system a large drag line machine would probably blackout the entire country!. As far as electric dump trucks are concerned they work when they go down hill fully laden and go back up the hill empty, they generate energy by regenarative braking. There are only a few mines where this topography ensues a mine in Austria and one in Australia are prime examples. The overburden at Phulbari would need to be carted up hill therefore the dump truck would not generate enough power to recharge itself. I stand to be corrected if I have misunderstood the situation. I have only had indirect contact with open pit mining, via my career in farm management where I was part of a Team that re-instated a spent mine back to Agricultural land.
Interesting input Mr Chippy, thanks for the info. That is not particularly impressive performance but in all fairness, progress with battery performance is moving ahead at a rapid pace. However, recharging is obviously the Achilles heel at the moment.
Hasina needs to undermine Nasrul who has given go ahead for expensive LPG power generation which I suspect he did because suppliers of gas and coal and oil are waiting for payment. She can do this by mobilising against opposition to OPM at Phulbari. All things do boil down to that democratic imperative and Nasrul is having the rug pulled because the mob will soon be on his doorstep instead of GCMs' as Hasina gets behind us.
We also obviously know from the recent RNS that the company has had an expression of interest for Phulbari coal ….
“Coal Supply Expressions of Interest:
The Company has received Expressions of Interest to purchase Phulbari's coal from both of Bangladesh's current Independent Power Producers, being SS Power Limited that operates the 1,320MW Banshkhali power plant and Barisal Electric Power Company that operates a 350MW unit at Barisal (with plans to add an additional unit). These represent some 27% of the present market.“
“Phulbari Coal Mining Infrastructure Construction and Overburden Stripping Contract”
https://www.lse.co.uk/rns/GCM/phulbari-coal-mining-infrastructure-contract-se8gl4nk3mhb9ng.html
With reference to Bangladesh exporting their coal if mined, everything that’s been discussed in recent reports indicates that it will not be exported, and will be used by Bangladesh themselves to feed their existing coal plants. The timing of the three mines being discussed by Nasrul Hamid to produce coal are approximately as follows, depending on which report you read, so I don’t think that export is anything we will personally have to worry about hahaha …
Phulbari - First coal about 3 years
Dighipara – First coal about 8 years
Khalashpi – First coal about 8 years
With Bangladesh in the financial situation, they find themselves in, along with as we saw last year power plants constantly running out of coal, which in turn meant that businesses had to close, further hurting the country, it would seem that they are fast running out of choices but to mine Phulbari, as well as their other mines in due course....
Just for an example, I work in construction, we trialled an Electric 30ton 360 excavator a few months ago. (Hitachi I think) it worked well for 2.5 hours, then needed 16hrs to charge up again. Not very practical on an open construction site
Mr Duster - Read back posts 08:43 & 10:01.
You will notice I use facts & direct RNS reference / Economic reference to base investment position on. You?
I think a lot about what I post even if my English is not best. 🦉
She could pop in to see Mr Adani and say ' Oi, I need a bit of that leccy you have been charging me for for two years and I haven't used - starting right now.' A nice big floodlit yard to charge the diggers / dumpers in and 90% will be Bunglas on the hey diddle diddle topping up their electric cars............................I better go and do some work.
One more post from me, then i am off for a while .... The question was asked yesterday about the people of Phulbari and the resettlement program... below is taken from the Final Results RNS..................
Feedback from government agencies indicates the desire for the local people to be stakeholders and to be motivated to support projects, i.e., offer employment, provide education and fairly compensate for land required and people displaced. The Project's Resettlement Action Plan ("RAP") comprehensively deals with the government's desires for the local people and was prepared as part of the coal mine's all-encompassing Environmental and Social Impact Assessment. The specific requirements of the local people were captured in surveys covering families within and immediately adjacent to the Project Area. A demographic survey was also carried out in 2019 to update the population and household trends. GCM is committed to lift the amenity of its local community and will ensure the RAP will deliver:
· Full and fair compensation prior to displacement;
· Fairness, transparency and choice;
· Higher living standards (town/village sites improved amenities);
· Financial grants to enhance livelihoods;
· Training and preferential employment; and
· Support of farmers to enhance agricultural production.
GCM maintains facilities in the Project area and its resident field team is in close contact with the community and local authorities. The field team is assisted by 67 Community Liaison Assistants ("CLA's"), recruited from across the Project Area.
Absolutely Searcher I'd forgotten about the Solar Project, I am not sure whether Bangladesh has a wind power project as well, if they have then maybe that could also be a net contributor to the mining industry. If not there is also the generator option if push comes to shove, if they need to use the power generated to power the rest of the country
They’d need some big batteries searcher, assuming they will be charging overnight ;-)
The solar power project is surely a sweetener for the greens in BD.
I share your concerns about charging, but as I said that could be overcome in the short term by using generators. I know it's not ideal but it would only be a short term measure and the longer term gains are there for all to see, for that reason I really don't see it being a problem.