Coal Power Project Near Sundarbans
Justification contradicted
While environmentalists are focused on the negative environmental impact of the proposed coal-based power plant in Rampal close to the Sundarbans, the government is looking at the massive project as an economic opportunity that could change the face of the region and eventually help conserve the forest. As part of this 1320 megawatt power project, the government earlier this year had approved a financial package for the Rampal area under which for every kilowatt power sales from this plant, the locality will get Tk 0.03.
“This roughly totals Tk 27 crore or more a year,” said an official of the India-Bangladesh Friendship Power Project. “This fund will be used for building roads, hospitals and other infrastructure in Rampal.”
An expert of the Centre for Environment and Geographic Information Services (Cegis) that prepared the Environment Impact Assessment said, “People in that region are very poor as they live in disasters. The soil is saline and at best, they can grow just one crop. These are the people who do not have jobs most of the time. They rely on the forest and that way the size of the Sundarbans has been shrinking over the years. But having the power plant there could create a lot of economic opportunity, which would stop them from encroaching upon the forest further.”
He mentioned that using electricity worth Tk 1 brings a benefit between Tk 39 and Tk 45. “The power project itself would not provide more than a few hundred jobs there. But this will open industrial opportunities in and around Khulna city. Industries must not be allowed to be set up in the Sundarbans area,” he added with a note of caution.
The expert argued that the size of the Sundarbans had halved since the British prepared its first map in the late 19th century due to population expansion and poverty. “But if you look at the coastal forests of Noakhali and Mirsharai, you’ll notice that that forest has expanded notably. Why did it happen? Because the people of that region have jobs,” he said.
The environmentalists however alerted the Cegis experts and the project officials about various risks of the coal power plant such as air pollution, acid rain, and contamination of mercury, chromium and radioactive minerals in the Sundarbans.
Bangladesh Environment Lawyers Association (Bela), citing a research, said that coal ash was more radioactive than nuclear waste and that it would have profound impact on the Sundarbans, located only 14 km off the plant.
It also cautioned about mercury emissions which could affect the water quality and fish resources in the Sundarbans.
Bangladesh Poribesh Andolan (Bapa) leader Dr Abdul Matin said that during winter, the Southward wind would carry the coal ashes to the forest and harm it.
The Cegis, which finalised the EIA after taking feedbacks from different environment groups, among others, responded to the concerns on coal ash saying that the risk of radioactive ash could be avoided by importing coal that has lower content of such radioactive minerals.
“Radioactive minerals exist in trace elements in coal,” Cegis notes, adding that the Rampal plant plans using better coal with low radioactive mineral which would not have any significant effect. But it should be monitored over the life period of the project.
Regarding mercury, the Cegis notes that the presence of mercury in coal is so small that no international coal trade agency declares mercury content of their coal in quantity. However, during the Rampal plant’s operation stage, mercury emission should be monitored and accordingly actions would be taken.
Some highlights of the EIA
The proposed coal-based power plant will have two 660 MW units of supercritical pulverised coal boiler type with another extension of 1,320 MW in future. It also includes residential and social facilities, water treatment plant, sub-station, jetty, coal handling system and coal silo, ash handling and disposal facilities, and switchyard including substation.
A supercritical plant has 40 percent less emissions since it is highly efficient. Bangladesh has a typical Chinese built 225 MW coal power plant in Barapukuria.
The EIA claims that the impact of plant operation on the Sundarbans ecosystem may be minor as the forest is located 14 km southwest of the plant. The world heritage site is 70 km south of the plant location.
To control emission, the EIA recommended a stack height for the plant at 275 metres.
The prevailing wind mostly blows northward. Only, during November to February, wind blows southeastward. Hence, emissions reaching the Sundarbans will remain within the government’s environment standard and the likelihood of any negative impact on the forest is insignificant, it said.
It has also set emission rates of carbon and other chemicals as per the country’s environment law to keep the air clean. Plus, it is expected that unstable atmosphere will dilute the possibility of acid rain, which is triggered by the sulphur content in the coal.
The EIA also recommends using coal with least sulphur content.
“Impact on ecosystem will also be minimum due to adoption of different pollution abatement measures. No thermal plume shall be discharged to the river which is the major issue in case of any thermal power plant.
Ash collection and management system comprise of Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) that have 99.9% efficiency to arrest fly ash. Hence, ash deposition on the surrounding ecosystem habitat and components may be minor.”
In case of accidental release of ash particles, chemical and fire explosions, the EIA prescribed a set of safety measures and hazard management plan.
All activities should be implemented according to Environmental Management Plan and, Hazard and Safety Management Plan should be implemented at every suggested steps of plant construction and operation.
-With The Daily Star input
