NTPC Bangladesh power JV to be operational by FY18

The USD 1.2-billion Indo-Bangla power joint venture is planning to award the contract for construction of the plant by April 2015 and expected to start commercial generation by FY18.
"We expect to award the contract next year. The company has recently appointed Fichtner Consulting Engineers and is in the process of finalising a consultant who will help in sourcing coal for the project," NTPC Chairman & Managing Director Arup Roy Choudhury said.
The plant is likely to consume around 8 million tonnes of coal every year and the entire generation will be based on coal imported into Bangladesh, he said last evening.

Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture between Bangladesh Power Development Board and NTPC. The first project of this venture is the 1,320 mw Maitree Project at Rampal in Bagerhat district under Khulna Division in Bangladesh.
At the ninth board meeting of the company, held in Kolkata for the first time with Bangladeshi power secretary yesterday, a few pending issues were ironed out before the tenders are invited for setting up the plant.
The land has been provided by Bangaldesh government and NTPC will set up two 660 mw units at the location. NTPC's expertise will also be used in running the plant.

"Following successful implementation of the project, the joint venture may look into setting up additional projects in the country," said Monowar Islam, secretary power of Bangladesh government.
At present, Bangladesh faces a total demand of about 7,500 mw. A total 500 mw is sourced from India of which 250 mw is from NTPC, he added.