The industrial park is currently operating on electricity from the national grid. However, as more and more factories are being built, independent on-site power generation is needed to ensure a reliable electricity supply, and to control the cost of that supply.
“An uninterrupted power supply is a basic need for industry, and to ensure this we need to have our own captive plant. Wärtsilä has a strong presence in Bangladesh with a first-rate track record and excellent support capabilities. What is more, they can deliver the plant quickly,” said Mr Shamim Islam, Managing Director, Jamuna Power.
Delivery of the equipment will be completed during the first half of 2020, Wärtsilä said, and the aim is to get the plant fully operational in early 2021.
Gas supply infrastructure already exists at the location, so choosing gas engines was a “natural choice” to power the industrial park. Steam produced by the engines will be used in various industrial processes within the complex, which will enhance the operational efficiency of the plant.
“Economic growth is difficult to achieve unless the power supply can be relied on, and the need in this case is very clear. Since the Jamuna Industrial Park is a large local employer, jobs also depend on the new power plant,” said Jillur Rahim, Managing Director, Wärtsilä Bangladesh.
Across Bangladesh, Wärtsilä currently has more than 4,900 MW of installed or ordered power generating capacity, of which about a quarter is operated and maintained by the Finish OEM. Factoring in the new order, 84 Wärtsilä 34SG gas engines will be in use in the South Asian country.