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A Chinese energy company has lodged complaints with the chief adviser’s office (CAO), alleging manipulation and mismanagement in the coal procurement process for the 1,320-megawatt (MW) coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali.
In a letter dated August 21, Yongtai Energy Pte Ltd claimed that vested interests attempted to manipulate the coal sourcing procedure of the plant, operated by RPCL-Norinco International Power Limited (RNPL).
The company alleged "unlawful negotiations" occurred during the process of selecting a competent coal supplier for the large-scale power project. Yongtai Energy has requested an independent investigation by a legally empowered committee to examine manipulation, procedural breaches, and unlawful interference in coal procurement.
Sources said the Power Division under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has already formed a committee to investigate the alleged discrepancies.
The complaints cite restrictive tender terms and questionable design choices as factors hindering the coal procurement process at the Patuakhali plant. Over the last four years, RNPL floated coal supply tenders four times but failed to select any competent supplier, sources added.
azizjst@yahoo.com