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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has called for ensuring diversification of energy sources alongside meeting the country’s growing demand for electricity.
He also directed officials to give the highest priority to economic viability, environmental impacts and the long-term interests of the people when generating electricity and operating large infrastructure projects.
The prime minister gave the directives during his visit to the 1,200MW Matarbari Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Plant in Matarbari, Maheshkhali upazila of Cox’s Bazar, on Sunday (August 9).
According to his schedule, Tarique arrived at the power plant’s helipad by helicopter at around 10:45am and later went to the project’s administrative building.
From 11am to 12:15pm, he received a detailed briefing on the overall activities of the project.
The prime minister also visited sites earmarked for a proposed 70MW solar power project, an LNG-based power plant and a new refinery in the area.
Tarique stressed the need for integrated development of power, energy, the deep-sea port and related industrial infrastructure centred around Matarbari.
He said the planned and efficient use of these facilities would play an important role in ensuring energy security, promoting industrialisation and boosting overall economic activity.
During the visit, the prime minister planted a neem sapling at the project site.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power and Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and senior government officials accompanied him.
The prime minister left Matarbari by helicopter at 1:05pm after completing the visit.
