Navy seeks land work in Maheshkhali solar plant to protect submarines, cables
Work entails 8m cubic metres of land filling at cost of $40m
Bangladesh Navy has expressed interest in carrying out land development for the 160 megawatt solar power plant being planned by Bay of Bengal Power Company (Pvt) Limited, a joint venture of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and China Huadian Hong Kong Limited.
The navy cited concerns over the movement of its submarines and the safety of underwater submarine cables near the project site in Maheshkhali, Cox's Bazar. It has submitted a formal request to BPDB, proposing that the land development work be assigned to the navy.
The solar plant will be built on 400 acres, requiring 8 million cubic metres of land filling at a cost of $40 million.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
However, Bay of Bengal Power Company has yet to make a final decision on how the project's land development will be implemented.
BPDB Chairman Md Rezaul Karim told TBS that no specific decision has been taken on the project's land development. "A meeting on this project is scheduled for 17 January. BPDB's position and planning will be announced after that meeting," he said.
When asked if the navy had any concerns, the chairman said there is no reason for objections from any party. "The government has long planned to develop Maheshkhali as a power hub. The Bay of Bengal Power Company's solar plant is part of that plan," he added.
In its submission to BPDB, the navy noted that its submarines operate in sea routes close to the project site. It warned that construction by other entities could risk collisions with submarines or damage nearby submarine cables, posing a threat to national security, according to the navy letter, a copy of which was obtained by TBS.
The navy recommended that the work be assigned directly under the direct purchase method (DPM), arguing that this would reduce costs, ensure timely completion, save foreign currency, and enhance local security.
Bay of Bengal Power Company is already developing a 1,320-megawatt coal-fired power plant in Maheshkhali. The new 160 megawatt solar project will connect to the Matarbari grid substation once completed.
