Power generation at the Barapukuria coal-fired thermal power plant has come to a total standstill after its final operational unit was forced offline due to mechanical faults on Sunday morning.
The 525 MW plant, located in Dinajpur, saw its 125 MW first unit shut down at 11:15 AM on January 18 following a boiler tube rupture. This closure marks the first time all three units of the facility have been simultaneously inoperative in recent years.
The plant’s Chief Engineer, Md. Abu Bakkar Siddique, confirmed that the first unit is over 20 years old and requires major overhauls every five years. "The boiler temperature is currently around 1,000°C. We must wait for it to cool before repairs can begin," he stated, adding that there is no confirmed timeline for its return to service.
Inoperative since November 2020. Repairs are stalled as the Chinese contractor reportedly disputes parts pricing.
Offline since November 1, 2025. Repairs by Harbin International are ongoing, with production not expected to resume until March, pending the arrival of parts from China.
The total shutdown has created a secondary crisis at the nearby Barapukuria coal mine. With the power plant unable to consume fuel, coal stocks are accumulating rapidly. Mine authorities have expressed concern that exceeding the coal yard's storage capacity could lead to a spontaneous combustion accident or environmental hazard.
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