Power Generation Halted at Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant

Electricity generation at the coal-fired Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, has come to a complete standstill following a series of mechanical failures. The plant has remained entirely shut since Sunday, 18 January, after its last operational unit was forced offline due to a major technical fault. As a result, no electricity is currently being supplied from the plant to the national grid, raising concerns over power shortages, particularly in northern regions of the country.

The Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, with a total installed capacity of 525 megawatts, has been struggling with persistent operational issues for several years. Of its three units, the largest—Unit 3, with a capacity of 275 megawatts—has been out of operation since 1 November last year owing to mechanical complications. Meanwhile, Unit 2, capable of producing 125 megawatts, has remained non-functional since November 2020, effectively rendering it inactive for more than four years.

The most recent setback came on 30 December, when Unit 1 (125 megawatts) was shut down due to technical problems. After undergoing temporary repairs, the unit was restarted on 14 January, offering a brief respite. However, within just four days, the unit was once again forced to shut down on 18 January, plunging the entire power station into inactivity.

Speaking to the media, Md Abu Bakkar Siddique, Chief Engineer of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant, explained that electricity production had to be halted after the boiler tubes of Unit 1 ruptured completely. He noted that the boiler operates at temperatures close to 1,000 degrees Celsius, making immediate repair impossible. Maintenance work can only begin once the system cools down to a safe level.

Mr Siddique further stated that it is currently difficult to provide a definitive timeline for the resumption of power generation. Given the severity of the damage, repairs may take a considerable amount of time. He also highlighted that Unit 1 is nearly 20 years old and requires extensive overhauling every five years due to ageing equipment and wear and tear.

The plant relies entirely on coal supplied by the Barapukuria Coal Mine, which is operated under the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). Repair work on Unit 3 is presently underway under the supervision of the Chinese contractor Harbin International. According to officials, the unit can only be brought back online once essential spare parts arrive from China. If all proceeds as planned, there is cautious optimism that Unit 3 may resume operations by March.

Current Status of Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant Units

Energy sector experts warn that prolonged shutdown of the Barapukuria plant could place additional pressure on the national grid, especially ahead of the summer season when electricity demand traditionally peaks. They stress the need for timely repairs, improved maintenance planning, and long-term strategies to modernise ageing power infrastructure to ensure energy security.