Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday emphasized the imperative of optimizing existing energy infrastructure, enforcing transparency and accountability in project execution, maintaining routine upkeep, and formulating an integrated long-term strategy to safeguard the nation’s power and energy security.

"Alongside meeting the country's growing electricity demand, we must diversify our energy sources. Economic viability, environmental impact and the long-term interests of the people must be given the highest priority in power generation and the operation of large-scale infrastructure," the Prime Minister stated following a comprehensive briefing on the operational status of the 1,200-megawatt Matarbari Ultra-Supercritical Coal-Fired Power Plant located in Maheshkhali Upazila under Cox’s Bazar.

The Prime Minister arrived at the Matarbari Power Plant helipad at 10:45 am before proceeding to the facility's administrative building, according to Assistant Press Secretary to the Prime Minister KM Nazmul Haque.

Underscoring the necessity of cohesive development across power, energy, deep-sea port facilities, and adjacent industrial zones in Matarbari, PM Tarique Rahman observed that structured and efficient utilization of these assets would serve as a vital catalyst for securing energy supplies, accelerating industrial growth, and invigorating national economic productivity.

Between 11 am and 12:15 pm, project management provided the Prime Minister with a exhaustive briefing prior to receiving his administrative guidelines.

Project officials briefed him on current power output and operational metrics, installed generation capacity, fuel procurement and logistics, operational performance, maintenance protocols, safety procedures, supporting infrastructure, and long-term expansion plans.

During the briefing, officials highlighted that the Matarbari facility is managed and operated entirely by Bangladeshi engineers and technicians. Expressing satisfaction, the Prime Minister commended the capability and expertise of the local workforce and urged them to sustain their dedicated efforts.

Financed through loan assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the Matarbari complex generates 1,200 megawatts across two 600-megawatt units utilizing modern ultra-supercritical technology.

The comprehensive facility incorporates coal transport port facilities, high-voltage transmission lines, access highways, and auxiliary infrastructure.

Following the briefing, the Prime Minister toured the installation, examined sites earmarked for prospective projects, and planted a neem sapling on the facility grounds.

At approximately 12:25 pm, he traveled to the site of a proposed 70-megawatt solar power installation, arriving at 12:29 pm where officials presented details regarding the project layout and expected output.

PM Tarique Rahman was subsequently shown the designated locations for a proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fired power plant, a petrochemical complex, and a new oil refinery.

He further inspected infrastructure connected to LPG, LNG, and coal terminals, as well as additional planned project grounds, where officials outlined technical requirements and structural plans.

The inspection continued with visits to the proposed location for a temporary LPG jetty and the sites allocated for the future Units 3 and 4 coal-fired expansion.

The Prime Minister also inspected the coal jetty and surveyed the Matarbari deep-sea port, LNG terminal, and associated power plant facilities, receiving briefings on the port infrastructure utilized for coal offloading and its operational integration with power generation.

Upon wrapping up his site inspections across the Matarbari development zone, the Prime Minister departed for Banshkhali via helicopter at 1:05 pm.

The Prime Minister was accompanied throughout the tour by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood Tuku, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud, State Minister for Power and Energy Aninda Islam Amit, Prime Minister's Defence Adviser Brig Gen (retd) Dr AKM Shamsul Islam, Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman, Special Political Secretary Belayet Hossain Mridha, along with other high-level state dignitaries.