Khulna Power Company Ltd (KPCL) experienced a significant 72% drop in profit, reporting Tk 1.76 crore in the July-September quarter of FY2024, down from Tk 6.27 crore in the same period last year. The company’s earnings per share (EPS) declined to Tk 0.04 from Tk 0.16 year-on-year, primarily due to the suspension of operations at its 115-megawatt unit in Khulna and 40-megawatt unit in Jashore. These shutdowns resulted from unresolved agreements with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), drastically impacting revenue, which fell 55% to Tk 82.22 crore during the quarter.
Additionally, KPCL’s net operating cash flow per share turned negative at Tk -0.05, compared to Tk 0.13 in the same period last year, reflecting delays in payments from BPDB. The unaudited financial statements for Q1 FY2024 highlight the challenges posed by plant closures and delayed receivables, raising concerns over the company’s short-term financial health.