Dhaka, July 15 -- The interim government has backed down from its "prior re-negotiation" on tariffs as the pre-condition for approval of the commercial operation date (COD) of the 718MW JERA Meghnaghat power plant.

The state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) now intends to approve the COD of the Japanese JERA-owned gas-fired combined cycle power plant before tariff re-negotiation, a source close to the matter told The Financial Express Monday.

"During the recent negotiation between the BPDB and JERA, it has been decided that the plant will get the COD first," he said.

The negotiation over tariff reduction would take place after the COD approval, he said.

COD is the mutually agreed date of initiating commercial operations o...