ACWA Power inks MOU for gas plant in Bangladesh

As part of the agreement, ACWA Power will target the development of 3600 MW gas fired independent power plants representing a total investment amount of approximately US$2.5 billion, that will help meet the country’s growing power demand.

The project will consist of the intended power plants as well as a regasification terminal on-ground with an expected additional investment of approximately US$500 million. The plant will potentially be located in Maheshkhali, or an alternate location, upon completion of the feasibility study.

BPDP Chairman Engineer Khaled Mahmood and ACWA Power Chairman Mohammed Abunayyan, signed the agreement for the Natural Gas/R-LNG Based Combined Cycle Power Plant, one of the largest deals for Bangladesh’s power sector. The signing took place in the presence of Salman F Rahman, the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s Adviser for Private Industry and Investment, Nasrul Hamid Bipu, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources and Dr. Ahmad Kaikaus, Senior Secretary for Power Division, Golam Moshi Bangladesh Ambassadorin Riyadh. Also present were Rajit Nanda, Chief Investment Officer at ACWA Power, Ayad Al Amri Executive Director for Gas to Power and Abdulsalam Al Hazmi VP Performance and Business Development, Aramco LNG Trading Unit.

“As we continue to expand our global operations, we are proud to embark on this ambitious project with the Bangladesh government. We have a long legacy of working collaboratively with leadership in growing economies to sustainably supply their power and water needs at low cost in order to accelerate their socio-economic and financial development. In line with the Bangladesh Vision 2021 and Vision 2041, we will be contributing to the energy security of the country and ensuring the foundations of its success for generations to come”, said Paddy Padmanathan, Chief Executive Officer of ACWA Power.

The signing will also mark ACWA Power’s largest gas-to-power development and its initial foray into the Bangladesh power market. ACWA Power will also work with Saudi Aramco for the first time for such a project.

“Expanding our investment portfolio is a key focus for the company and we are delighted to be working with BPDB to participate in the burgeoning power generation sector here. With vast growth opportunities available, we are keen to extend our foothold in the region through our presence in Bangladesh. This is an exciting project for the company and we look forward to working with strategic partners such as Saudi Aramco to bring it to life and create value for the people and economy of Bangladesh”, said Chief Investment Officer, Rajit Nanda.

Bangladesh’s power sector is one of the fastest growing in South Asia, with a current installed capacity of around 24 000 MW electricity from 3200 MW in 2009.

Read the article online at: https://www.lngindustry.com/regasification/23102019/acwa-power-inks-mou-for-gas-plant-in-bangladesh/