STORY: BRI contributes to Bangladeshi power sector development
SHOOTING TIME: July 6, 2024
DATELINE: July 9, 2024
LENGTH: 00:02:05
LOCATION: Dhaka
CATEGORY: ECONOMY/SOCIETY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the Payra Power Plant
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG XIANGZHI, Chinese technical manager on-site at the Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited 
3. various of the Payra Power Plant
4. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): INJAMAM UL HAQUE, Bangladeshi engineer of the plant
5. various of the Payra Power Plant
6. various of a photovoltaic power station in Bangladesh
7. SOUNDBITE 3 (Bangladeshi): MD. FAZLUL HAQUE, Local resident
8. SOUNDBITE 4 (Bangladeshi): MD. HELAL UDDIN, Local resident
9. various of power plant projects in Bangladesh

STORYLINE:

The China-funded Payra Power Plant is playing a crucial role in ensuring power availability in Bangladesh.

The 1,320 MW eco-friendly coal-fired power plant has introduced ultra-supercritical technology to the country.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): WANG XIANGZHI, Chinese technical manager on-site at the Bangladesh-China Power Company Limited
"We brought China's ultra-supercritical technology to Bangladesh, making it the 13th country in the world to have ultra-supercritical technology. We also introduced and implemented Chinese standards from design and construction to operation and maintenance in Bangladesh."

The plant, the largest power station in Bangladesh, can provide Bangladesh with 8.58 billion kWh of stable electricity annually.

This accounts for about 10 percent of the country's total electricity demand.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): INJAMAM UL HAQUE, Bangladeshi engineer of the plant 
"This power plant is very crucial for Bangladesh. After this plant, especially in this area, no more power outage. People are benefiting a lot from this power plant. Because of this power plant, a lot of jobs are created, so local people are now financially much stronger than before."

The plant has provided about 8,400 jobs and nearly 6,300 vocational skills training opportunities to local residents.

Bangladesh's first photovoltaic power station, a 50 MW photovoltaic power plant, is also invested by a Chinese company. 

The project helps Bangladesh reduce carbon emissions by over 50,000 tons annually.

SOUNDBITE 3 (Bangladeshi): MD. FAZLUL HAQUE, Local resident
"Because of the availability of electricity, more people are renting in this area. Furthermore, the price of land has increased significantly. The residents of this area are very happy."

SOUNDBITE 4 (Bangladeshi): MD. HELAL UDDIN, Local resident
"Our environment has improved significantly. There is no noise or pollution. That's good."

Since Bangladesh joined the Belt and Road Initiative, China has built over 20 power energy projects in the country.

These projects provide a stable power supply guarantee for the rapid economic and social development of Bangladesh.

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Dhaka.
(XHTV)