Five Indian power companies that provide electricity to Bangladesh are facing outstanding dues exceeding $1 billion, according to industry executives familiar with the situation.Adani Power, which operates a 1.6 GW coal-fired plant in Godda, Jharkhand, and supplies electricity through a dedicated transmission corridor, is owed approximately $800 million of this amount.The executives mentioned above said that the companies have maintained their power supply to Bangladesh despite the outstanding dues, showcasing the strong friendship between the two nations. However, they cautioned that this arrangement cannot persist indefinitely, as the companies are accountable to their stakeholders."But it cannot continue forever as they too are answerable to their stakeholders," one of the persons said.Total DuesAccording to an ET report, as of June 30, 2024,SEIL Energy Indiais owed around $150 million. The company has a power purchase agreement for 250 MW with Bangladesh, a country that recently experienced an uprising, causing its Prime Minister to seek refuge in India.NTPC, which supplies about 740 MW from three of its plants, is owed nearly $80 million.PTC India's outstanding dues from Bangladesh amounted to approximately $84.5 million as of March end. The company has received $46 million until August 25, according to their emailed response to ET's query.Currently, PTC India is owed $79 million by the neighboring country. Since 2013, PTC has been supplying 250 MW of power to the Bangladesh Power Development Board from West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co.Power Grid Corporation of Indiais owed $20 million by Bangladesh. NTPC, SEIL Energy, and Power Grid did not respond to ET's queries regarding the matter. A government official said, "Some companies have had issues related to payment, with some of it related to coal purchase as well."Also Read |Gautam Adani, Adani Group chairman, to step down at 70; shift control to sons and their cousins: ReportAn official from Adani Power acknowledged the situation but declined to comment on the specific amount owed by Bangladesh.One executive from a power company mentioned earlier emphasized the urgency of finding a resolution, warning that failure to do so would make it challenging for them to sustain the power supply. The executive highlighted the need for upfront payments to lenders, coal suppliers, spare parts providers, and other essential services related to plant operations.The Godda plant, which became fully operational in July 2023, relies on imported coal for power generation. During its commissioning, Adani Power had stated that the electricity supplied from the plant would positively impact Bangladesh by replacing the expensive power generated from liquid fuel. According to one of the sources, Adani has continued to provide power as per the schedule set by the Bangladesh Power Development Board.
