DHAKA, June 10, 2023 (BSS) - The 1320-megawatt Rampal power plant in Bagerhat has got supply of 26,620 tonnes of coal today, easing the power production from the plant.

The unloading and transporting activities are going on from Harbaria of Mongla port.

The coal-loaded ship left Indonesia for Mongla port on May 21, said Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company (P) Ltd deputy general manager Anwarul Azim.

Talking to BSS, he said the plant has no crisis of coal as it now has a stock of 64,000 tonnes of coal. A letter of credit (LC) has already been opened for importing another 48,000 tonnes of coal, which will soon arrive at Mongla port, he said.

The coal-fired plant is now supplying 400-megawatt power to the national grid.

The Payra Power Plant in Patuakhali -- having a generation capacity of 1,320MW -- has also taken preparation to resume production from June 26 as six ships, carrying 37,000 to 45,000 tonnes of coal each, are expected to reach the plant site from Indonesia soon.

Sources said, the coal-carrying ships are expected to start anchoring at the jetty of the power plant on June 25 and the power plant will resume production on June 26.

Power generation of one of the two-unit plant -- each with a capacity of 660MW was suspended on June 4 while the other unit has remained closed since May 25 due to shortage of coal.

According to the authorities, the plant needs around three lakh tonnes of coal per month for power generation in full-swing.