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Kutubdia wind power plant under threat

Says operator Pan Asia Power Service

Star Business Report
The Tk 12 crore one-megawatt (MW) wind power plant at Kutubdia upaziia in Cox's Bazar is under threat as its protecting dam has been washed away by a string of cyclones that struck the project site.
Bangladesh Power Development Board initiated the project in 2006, aiming to test the feasibility of alternative power sources. Pan Asia Power Service Ltd completed its installation in March 2008.
I he project is providing power for at least 12,000 subscribers partially -• out of the 30,000 potential subscribers across the upaziia, an
official said yesterday.
But the government's reluctance to rebuild the embankment has left the project under threat, the official alleged.
I'm urging the government to rebuild the dam as soon as possible, otherwise the project will be completely ruined," said Md Fazlur Rahman, managing director of Pan Asia Power Service, at a press briefing at Dhaka Reporters Unity.
Wind power provides a new way for Bangladesh to generate electricity. Gas is the main source of generating electricity, contributing 87.05 percent. Coal takes up 4.75 percent, hydro 2.49 percent, diesel 1.23 percent and furnace oil 4.49 per-
cent of 4.500MW electricity generation a day.
"The project site is worsening by (he day due to tidal waves in the Bay of the Bengal, but nobody is helping us," said Rahman.
Wind power is cheaper than other sources of energy. India produces 12.000MW electricity from wind power.
"If India can produce huge electricity in the same coastal belt, in the same weather condition, so can Bangladesh," said Rahman.
Traditionally, demand for electricity rises in summer season and Bangladesh can mitigate the increased demand by setting up such wind power plants, said Rahman.
Wind flow in summer season is
seen more than any other time, which can generate more electricity," he said.
The Kutubdia wind power plant shows the way to go for such a power plapt as an alternative energy source, said Rahman.
The Kutubdia Island was traditionally powered by diesel generators, which cost Tk40 for generating single KW (kilowatt) of electricity
On the other hand, the wind power plant spends only Tk 8 for generating the same amount of electricity, said Rahman.
The government should go for more wind power plants, as they do not require huge lands or funds, he said.