Jumbangla Desk: India's Adani Group owes around Tk 10,860 million to Bangladesh for electricity supply . Adani authorities have threatened to stop power supply to Bangladesh due to the accumulation of this money. The company has already halved the power supply.
Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) is the only state agency to transmit electricity from power plants to the national grid.
According to company sources, Adani Group supplies electricity to Bangladesh from a 1,600 MW power plant located in Gada, Jharkhand, India. On Thursday, the power plant provided an average of only 530 MW of electricity during the day. However, till last Wednesday, more than 1000 megawatts of electricity was supplied on an average per day.
Meanwhile, power generation from three indigenous coal-based power plants—S Alam, Rampal and Payra power plants—has also been curtailed, resulting in a shortfall of more than 1,000 MW in supply compared to demand.
Recently, MR Krishna Rao, representative of Adani Power (Jharkhand) Limited and Chairman of the Joint Coordination Committee mentioned in a letter that Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDC) has not issued the required LC for USD 170.03 million from Bangladesh Agricultural Bank and USD 846 million (10, 086 crores) has not paid the dues either.
He pointed out that non-delivery of LCs on time and non-payment of outstanding amounts have resulted in material default under the Power Purchase Agreement, which is preventing Adani Power from maintaining supply.
He further said, 'We are unable to secure working capital for coal suppliers and operation and maintenance contractors due to high arrears and lack of LCs. Our lenders are also withdrawing support.'
Adani in its letter urged BPDC to resolve these defaults by October 30, 2024. Otherwise the supply may be stopped from 31 October 2024.
It has been found that the dues of Adani have not been paid till yesterday. Due to this, the authorities of the center reduced the power supply.
