20-MW power plant inoperative for 12 days

The 20-megawatt power plant run by Power Development Board (PWD) at Nayahat in Saidpur upazila went out of order 12 days ago, causing immense sufferings to the local people due to frequent load shedding. 

The deadlock occurred while it was on operation and the work to restore its operation was going on till yesterday.

On March 31, a 500 KVA transformer and three cooling fans of the power plant suddenly went out of order due to a technical fault, said Abul Kalam Azad, executive engineer of the power plant.

Due to the power disruption, farmers in the district are facing serious trouble for irrigation to thousands of acres of boro land in the district as the farmers mostly depend on power pumps.

Locals said frequent load shedding has led to students studying in the candlelight almost every evening.

Sources said the France made 20-megawatt capacity gas turbine power plant was set up in 1987 with 25 years of warranty, which expired in 2012. 

Although the plant is gas based but its being operated with diesel as gas supply is not available in Nilphamari.