Payra Power Plant going to suspend operation from tomorrow night

Due to lack of coal supply, Payra 1320 MW Thermal Power Plant in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali is temporarily going to suspend its operation from today or tomorrow (June 4) night.

Project Director Golam Moula confirmed the news on Saturday.

The first unit of the 1,320MW Payra Thermal Power Plant was closed down on May 25 due to suspension of coal supply to the plant for the ongoing dollar crisis.

The coal available in reserve, the plant can be kept operational till June 3 or 4 and the plant will be shut down afterwards, sources said.

The project director said they expect a shipment of coal will arrive at the end of June and then they will be able to resume operation.

Bangladesh-China Power Company Ltd (BCPCL) operates the power plant while China National Machinery Import and Export Company (CMC), which has a 50 per cent stake in the plant, pays for the coal.

Out of the two units producing 1320 MW, the first unit of 660 MW capacity came into production on January 10, 2020. Later, on August 26 of the same year, the second unit went into production. PDB signed an agreement in September 2016 to buy power from Payra Thermal Power Station.