Economy
Bangladesh to Inaugurate First Unit of Matarbari Coal-Fired Power Plant
Bangladesh is preparing for the inauguration of the first unit of the Matarbari coal-fired power plant, with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina scheduled to open the 600 MW unit on November 11. Additionally, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Single Point Mooring (SPM), which is expected to save approximately Tk. 800 crore annually. The first unit, part of a two-unit Matarbari power plant, commenced power generation on a trial basis on July 29, and the second unit’s reactor was installed on September 22. The power plant, located near a deep-sea port, utilizes advanced technology for efficient operations.
The project authority has constructed a jetty and silo for coal transportation and storage, with the silo capable of storing coal for 60 days. Additionally, a mother vessel with an 80,000-ton coal capacity can easily dock at the jetty, requiring only 1-2 days for coal unloading. A 14.3 km long and 300m wide channel has been excavated to accommodate mother vessels at the power plant’s jetty. Measures such as sedimentation mitigation dikes have been implemented to ensure navigability without the need for yearly dredging.
The power plant has been constructed to withstand cyclones and tides, with a dam 14 meters above sea level and infrastructure inside the dam with a height of 10 meters. The second unit, also with a 600 MW capacity, is expected to begin commercial production six months after the inauguration of the first unit.
The project is a multi-purpose initiative supported by a loan agreement between the Bangladesh government and the Japan International Development Agency (JICA). JICA will provide Tk. 43,921 crore as project support, with the remaining Tk. 7,933 crore coming from the own funds of the Bangladesh government and Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited (CPGCBL). The project includes the construction of an imported coal load-unload jetty, a power generation plant, townships, electrification of local areas, power transmission lines, and power plant connection roads.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
