June 14, 2022
Study Report
Adani Godda Coal Power Plant An Achilles Heel of the Power Sector of Bangladesh
The Adani Godda Ultra-Supercritical Coal Power Plant is located in Godda district of the state of Jharkhand, India. The 1600 MW power plant has been built under a cross border power purchase agreement signed with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to supply 1496 MW of electricity for 25 years from the commercial date of operation (COD) [page 15]. The power plant is to start commercial operation in August 2022 although the transmission line from Indo-Bangla border to national grid will be ready to evacuate the power only after December 2022.
Findings
1. Adani Power Limited, a subsidiary of the Adani Group, acquired 1,255 acres of land from the local farmers by force and without payment of proper compensation. The company also tortured the poor land owners by using musclemen and law enforcing agencies.
2. The power plant may emit 221.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (minimum 193.6 - maximum 277.7 Mmt) in its lifetime with an average emission of 9.35 Mmt annually. India is the third largest Protest against Adani Coal Mine in Australia Photo: Stop Adani Movement, October 2020 06 Adani Godda Coal Power Plant emitting country in the world which is committed to achieve net zero by 2070, instead of 2050. The position is highly criticized by the global community. This power plant will only help to establish India as a climate denier.
3. Cost of electricity from Godda coal power plant may reach USD 0.105 (BDT 9.09) in 2022 and USD 0.33 (BDT 36.41) in 2047 which is 56.2% higher than imported power, 56.5% higher than the domestic solar power and 196.1% higher than Indian solar power.
4. BPDB will have to pay a maximum USD 1.17 billion (BDT 10.124.75 crore) and minimum USD 918.18 million (BDT 7,933.04 crore) per year to buy electricity from Godda Power Plant which will only add to the growing burden caused by excess power capacity in Bangladesh.
5. Out of the amount, USD 423.29 million (BDT 3,657.23 crore) is the capacity charge per year and USD 11.01 billion (BDT 1,08,360.60 crore) over its lifetime which will only benefit the billionaire Adani Group to make more money. The power plant should be ready to supply electricity by August 2022. But the Unit Cost of Power from Adani Godda Power Plant transmission line to export electricity will be ready only after December 2022. BPDB will have to pay USD 141.10 million (BDT 1,219.10 crore) in capacity charges for the waiting period of 4 months even though no power will make its way to Bangladesh.
6. The environmental and social cost (e.g. Hospitalization, Agriculture, Fishing) of the emissions of hazardous air pollutants and carbon dioxide is USD 729.64 million (INR 5,569.34 crore) per year and USD 24.72 billion (INR 188,708.29 crore) over its lifetime.