Coal shortage forces Matarbari power plant to cut production

The 1,200-megawatt Ultra Super Critical coal-fired Matarbari Power Plant has been forced to reduce electricity generation following a disruption in coal supply caused by the rejection of a contaminated coal shipment.

On 11 April, the plant's electricity output dropped sharply to just 162 megawatts, a significant decline from its usual range of 800–1,000 MW, based on load requests from the National Load Dispatch Center of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB). 

An analysis of PGCB data between 6 and 12 April reveals that the plant's generation has consistently hovered between 150–162 MW, raising concerns about power stability in key regions.

Located in Cox's Bazar, the Matarbari power plant plays a critical role in supplying electricity to Chattogram and parts of Dhaka. The sharp decline in output may lead to increased load-shedding in these areas.

Asked about the matter, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Chairman Md Rezaul Karim said, "We are currently facing a coal shortage due to a disruption in supply after a shipment was rejected for contamination."

He added, "We had to send back a coal-laden vessel intended for this plant after detecting impurities in the cargo, which has now disrupted the supply chain."

Earlier on 17 March, when a coal-laden ship with 63,000 tonnes docked in Chittagong Port for unloading but it was sent back due to heavy presence of foreign materials like - stone, mud, reddish particles and excessive water in the coal. This was the 11th shipment.

Chittagong Port Authority failed to unload the coal as the conveyor belt used to unload coal from ships frequently got stuck and broken. 

A consortium of Meghna group's sister concern UCIL and Indian Aditya Birla group's sister concern AGBT was supplying coal to Matarbari power plant since November 2024. 

The coal was transported aboard the Singapore-flagged MV Orient Orchid operated by Meghna Group of Companies.