The Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited (BCPCL) has expressed concerns over the possibility of halting power production at the Payra Thermal Power Plant due to a lack of assured dollar supply for purchasing coal.
Despite repeated appeals, the BCPCL has not received the necessary foreign currency to pay for coal imports, leading to fears of a disruption in coal supplies this month. BCPCL has requested Tk 3,229 crore ($298 million) from the Bangladesh Bank to settle the outstanding dues for coal purchases. The joint venture company warns of potential load-shedding and economic threats if the arrears are not paid promptly. The Payra Thermal Power Plant, a significant contributor to the national power supply, is currently facing similar challenges as the Rampal power plant with coal imports due to the dollar crisis.