DHAKA: As Ramadan is round the corner, the Power Development Board (PDB) holds out the hope that 450MW more electricity would be added to the national grid before the holy month.

The power is due to be pumped in Wednesday, PDB Chairman ASM Alamgir announced Tuesday, explaining wherefrom.   

Of the total, four power plants--Ghorashal unit 3, Ashuganj Steam, Khulna power plant and a unit of Barapukuria thermal power plant, which had been closed for maintenance--would offer 350 megawatts while a rental power plant would add 100 MW.

However, officials concerned of the plants told banglanews24.com.bd that Ghorashal’s unit is unlikely to come back into operation Wednesday as its maintenance works were now at the fag-end. “It will go into generation Thursday,” said one official.

The 170MW unit, set up in 1986, was shut down on August 3 for overhauling.

Khulna’s 60MW plant faces the same fate, which was closed last month for maintenance. It was established in 1973. A senior official of the plant said it is highly unlikely to generate power by Wednesday. The plant generates 32-35MW power.    

Ashuganj’s GT-1 combined-cycle power plant will also fail to generate power by Thursday, its officials told banglanews24.com.bd. Similar confirmation came from Barapukuria thermal power plant.

BDST 1950 HRS, AUGUST 10, 2010.