Chinese firm alleges coal procurement irregularities at Patuakhali power plant

A Chinese energy company has lodged a complaint with the Chief Adviser, alleging manipulation and mismanagement in the coal procurement process for the 1,320MW coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali.

In a letter dated August 21, Yongtai Energy Pvt. Ltd. claimed that a vested quarter was attempting to manipulate the coal sourcing procedure for the plant, which is operated by RPCL-Norinco Intl Power Limited (RNPL).

The company further alleged that it was drawn into “unlawful negotiations” during the process of selecting a competent coal supplier for the large coal-fired power plant.

Yongtai has called for an independent probe, requesting the formation of a legally empowered committee to investigate manipulation, procedural breaches, and unlawful interference in the coal procurement process.

According to sources, the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) has already formed a committee to examine the alleged discrepancies.

Restrictive tender terms and questionable design choices were among the issues that have stalled the coal procurement procedure for the Patuakhali power plant, they added.

Over the past four years, RNPL has floated coal supply tenders four times but has failed to select a competent supplier, the sources further said.

azizjst@yahoo.com