Photo: Messenger
Newly formed interim government has scraped controversial “Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply.” but the ongoing projects will be continued as the projects already eat up huge budget.
Though, already 43 rental and solar projects have been cancelled as these projects were signed under the mentioned act which did not follow the competitive procedures. Moreover, those projects have been provided to the progovernment people.
Currently, there are 64 projects under the act are going on, of these 52 projects will be completed by the private sector 7 projects will be completed by the government and 5 projects will be completed jointly.
Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan told the Daily Messenger “As many of the projects have been spent huge money we cannot cancel those projects, so we will complete the projects but new projects wll not be implemented under the controversial act. The government will encourage the private sector to set up renewable power projects through a competitive bidding process.”
Besides, the mega project Matarbari still going on for the second unit with the capacity of 600 MW, SS power’s second with same capacity will be continued though the price of the projects is very high. But the govrenmnet is bound to complete and run the projects as more than Tk 50,000 crore has been spend in the projects.
The government has decided to cancel 43 power projects approved under the Rapid Power Supply (Special Provisions) Act. The Awami League government used to approve projects without tenders under this provision known as the Impunity Act. These projects totaling 3,630 MW include 12 quick rental projects and 31 renewable power projects.
According to Power Division, Quick Rental has extended the duration of the projects several times and has now produced electricity under the contract of 'no electricity, no money'. And renewable projects that are not needed have been rushed.
On August 18, the interim government suspended the special provision for increasing the rapid supply of electricity and fuel.
Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has canceled a project between BPC-owned Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL) and S Alam Group but SS Power owned by S Alam will be continue.
Messenger/Disha
