Beximco eyeing to install LPG-based power plant

Local business conglomerate Beximco Group is planning to set up a Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) based power plant in the country.

On February 26, a letter signed by the business group’s Executive Director (Corporate Affairs) Rafiqul Islam was sent to the chairman of Power Development Board (PDB), requesting the latter to arrange a meeting in this regard.

According to the letter, Beximco Group (বেক্সিমকো) was planning to introduce LPG, as a new type of fuel, in power generation with the support of its US-based technical partner General Electric (GE).

However, the latter did not mention the proposed capacity of the plant and its probable location.

When contacted, a Power Development Board official, requesting anonymity, said: “The date of the meeting is yet to be fixed, but it may be held by March.

“The fate of the project will bank on the meeting, deciding if the LPG-based power plant will be appropriate.”

In Bangladesh, this form of gas is commonly known as a cooking fuel, which has great usage in power generation too, the letter said, adding, LPG is considered a growing competitor of liquefied natural Gas and even coal due to its good heating value, cleaner generation and lower costs.

The letter attested to the potential of GE, claiming that the company is one of the pioneers in this technology across the world and that it was successfully operating several LPG-fired power plants in several countries across America, Africa and Asia.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Tuesday said: “There is shortage of primary fuel to help establish a power plant.

“Hence, so we are planning to use various kinds of fuel in power plants and that is why we have taken decision to use LPG in government and private sectors.”

In October, 2016, Beximco Group had inked a deal with two Chinese companies each to generate 2,180MW electricity, of which, 1,980 MW will come from coal- ired power plant and 200 MW from a solar power plant.

For the joint ventures, Beximco Groups and the Chinese firms will invest a total of $3.2 billion.