Bangladesh's Largest Power Station Put into Operation

The first phase of the Payra 1,320 megawatt ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant, the largest of its kind in Bangladesh, was put into operation on March 21, making it the first country in South Asia to have full electricity coverage.

Jointly invested and built by China National Machinery Import & Export Corporation (CMC), a subsidiary of China General Technology (Group) Holding Co., Ltd. (Genertec), and Bangladesh's North-West Power Generation Company Limited, the plant is the first power project to be operated by a Chinese enterprise in Bangladesh through public-private partnership model.

A view of the first phase of Payra 1,320 megawatt ultra-supercritical coal-fired power plant in Bangladesh [Photo/sasac.gov.cn]

Adopting ultra-supercritical technology, the plant has better main pollutant emission performance than the standards made by the World Bank, the International Finance Corporation and the government of Bangladesh.  

Once fully operational, the project is expected to provide about 8.58 billion kilowatt-hours of clean power annually. It will greatly relieve regional power shortages and effectively improve the energy structure in Bangladesh, which becomes the 13th country around the world to use ultra-supercritical technology in power generation.

Genertec CMC adheres to the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and provided about 7,000 jobs for local people during the project's construction.

It also fulfilled social responsibilities by participating in local community management and helping with immigrant resettlement, launching Bangladesh-China technical college, donating anti-pandemic supplies and establishing a social development fund.

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)