New Delhi – Adani Power has warned of stopping power supply to Bangladesh due to delay in payment of dues. The company has given Bangladesh a deadline of November 7, after which if there is no clarity on the settlement of dues, the power supply will be stopped. According to Adani Power, Bangladesh owes 850 million (about Rs 7,200 crore). Adani Power has cut power supply to Bangladesh by 50 percent since last Thursday due to non-payment of dues.
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) was earlier asked to clear the dues by October 31 and issue a letter of credit (LC) of 170 million (about Rs 1,500 crore). BPDB tried to issue a letter of credit through Krishi Bank, but it was not in accordance with the terms of the power purchase agreement. According to sources, the shortage of dollars in Bangladesh is said to be the main reason for this problem.
According to media reports, Adani Power Jharkhand cut power supply from October 31, which has worsened the power situation in Bangladesh, which is already facing a crisis. According to the latest report available on the website of Power Grid Bangladesh, Adani’s Godda plant is supplying only 724 MW of electricity against the installed capacity of 1,496 MW.
Adani Power Jharkhand supplies the most electricity to Bangladesh. After this, electricity is supplied to Bangladesh from Payra, Rampal and SS Power Plants. Rampal Plant of NTPC’s joint venture company Bangladesh India Friendship Power Company and SS Power are already operating at half capacity due to shortage of coal. Industry sources say that due to the economic crisis in Bangladesh, power plants have reduced the purchase of fuel.
Adani Power was paid 90 million in October, compared to 20-50 million in monthly bills of 90-100 million in earlier months. The Godda plant in Jharkhand supplies power at Bangladeshi Taka 10-12 per unit (Rs 7-8.50), the cost of which depends on coal prices from Indonesia and Australia. Adani Power has not commented on the matter, but senior company officials have expressed hope that a solution could be found soon.
