Dhaka: Separate engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts singing would be made to set up the 2X1320 MW coal-fired Rampal, Paira and Matarbari power plants by this month.

‘The three coal-fired power plants would generate 3,840 megawatt (MW) electricity after construction of the plants under public, private and joint venture (JV) initiatives,’ Director General of Power Cell Mohammad Hossain told BSS here today.

He said the government has undertaken 24 coal-fired power plants propjets including public, private, joint venture and commercial initiatives, having electricity generation capacity of 21,785 MW.

‘Currently 76 percent people are enjoying electricity access due to bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. There is a plan to bring all citizens under power access by 2021,’ Hossain said.

He said power generation capacity reached to 14,500 MW and per capita generation reached 371 kilowatt now.

According to an officer familiar with the process, out of the 24 coal-fired power plants seven will be set up in public, seven in private, nine in joint venture and seven under commercial venture.

Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BIFPCL) would sign the EPC this month with Indian state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) for setting up 1,320 MW Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant Project at Rampal, Bagerhat having generation capacity of 1,320 MW. Indian Exim bank would provide fund for the project.

Another EPC would be signed between Bangladesh-China Power Company (Pvt) Limited (BCPCL) and a firm of Chinese Power Company (CMC) on March 29 for 1,320 MW Paira coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali, which would be implemented by the Chinese Exim bank’s finance.

Besides, the Coal Power Generation Company would sign contract with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for construction of 1,200 Matarbari Ultra-super Critical Coal-fired Power Project in Cox’s Bazar.

The power ministry planned setting up a number of coal-fired power plants across the country to increase power generation capacity to 34,000 MW by 2030 and the government formulated the Power System Master Plan (2010-2030). Bangladesh is also holding discussion with Indonesia and Australia for importing coal for the coal-fired power plants.