This year, the SS Power Plant will be completely operating.

The SS Power Plant, located in Banshkhali, Chittagong’s Gandamara neighborhood, has the potential to have a big influence on the region’s energy environment.

Stakeholders are optimistic that the plant will play a critical role in satisfying the rising need for a steady supply of electricity this summer, despite operational hurdles.

For the past six months, electricity has been provided as a result of construction work that was finished years ago. However, inadequate sub-grid capacity prevents the cost-effective power plant, which generates electricity at Tk10–12 per megawatt, from being fully commissioned even though it has a ready transmission line connecting to the national grid. By May, officials hope to have overcome these obstacles and be able to fully utilize the facility.

As of January 2023, there is only one unit, with a 660MW capacity, that is producing power. Officials now anticipate that both units will be put into service as summertime electricity demand increases.

With a capacity of 1,320MW, SS Power Plant is a joint venture between Bangladesh and China. The facility, which cost Tk 28,000 crore, currently feeds 451MW into the national grid.

ASM Alamgir Kabir, advisor to SS Power, believes that the power plant is a historic first for Bangladesh, especially in terms of producing inexpensive electricity. Kabir draws attention to the economic viability of producing power, which, when fully operational, may save the government more than Tk1,144 crore monthly.

The management of the power plant is already taking preventative action in order to ensure a continuous supply and generation of electricity throughout the summer.

The power plant’s chief financial officer (CFO), Ebadat Hossain Bhuiyan, recognizes difficulties brought on by the growing value of the dollar and problems with coal imports. Bhuiyan highlights the government’s slow payment of outstanding amounts, which total about Tk1,700 crore, in spite of these difficulties.

Banshkhali’s coastline region, which was formerly dependent on salt production, has changed since the SS Power Plant was built. The initiative has improved the level of living for the community and decreased unemployment from 50% to less than 20%.