Barapukuria Boost: Unit-1 Power Production Resumes Six Days After Boiler Breakdown
Power generation at the first unit of the Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur, has resumed after remaining shut for six consecutive days. The unit had halted production on April 25 due to a ruptured boiler pipe.
Assistant Chief Engineer Mohsinul Firoz confirmed the development on Friday evening, May 1. Earlier that day, the 125-megawatt capacity unit was brought back online at 4:30 am.
According to Mohsinul Firoz, the No. 1 unit has been restarted following the completion of repair work and is now supplying electricity to the national grid. Meanwhile, overhaul work on Unit 3 is ongoing, and the Chinese contracting firm has indicated that it is expected to be operational by May 15. This is anticipated to further improve the overall power supply situation.
Plant authorities stated that the unit is currently contributing approximately 55–60 megawatts of electricity to the national grid.
Sources said the 525-megawatt Barapukuria thermal power plant was commissioned in 2006 to ensure the utilization of coal from the Parbatipur Barapukuria coal mine. Initially, power generation began with two 125-megawatt units, and an additional 275-megawatt unit was added in 2017. However, due to recurring mechanical complications, the plant has not been able to sustain full-capacity production consistently.
Notably, repeated mechanical faults and incidents of stones entering the boiler have led to multiple shutdowns in the past, disrupting electricity supply in Dinajpur and eight districts across the northern region.
DBTech/JNE/EK/OR
