Power distribution lines need improvement

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Shanchita Shitu
Published : 07:30, Apr 17, 2019 | Updated : 07:30, Apr 17, 2019

Bangladesh’s power generation capacity has grown by two and half times in the last eight years, but the entire population is yet to come under electricity coverage. REUTERS/file photoIn the last ten years, power production, distribution and number of subscribers have risen though in the capital, power failure is common in case of a storm. It’s found that quality distribution system has not been achieved as yet.
PM’s energy adviser, Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, has said that the power situation is better than before and even if there’s power outage, it’s not load shedding but power failure.
“This is happening because power distribution system is being renovated.”
In the last ten years, 3493 km of distribution line has been increased; in 2009, distribution line was 8000 circuit km which is now 11493 circuit km.
Grid sub-station capacity has increased to 24106 MVA (Mega Volt Ampere) which was 15870 MVA in 2009.
Power distribution line has also increased by 248,000 km to stand at 508,000 km, which was 260,000 km in 2009.
But since much of the older lines have become outdated, quality power supply remains elusive.
Several sources say that due to the ferocious nor’wester at the end of last month, several power lines were snapped and power outage in some areas lasted up to 21 hours.
Distribution companies say that since the wind power was exceptionally high, saving distribution lines was difficult.
However, weather specialist, Abdul Mannan, says: “That day, the wind force was 70 km per hour which is very normal in Bangladesh.”
On the other hand, in rural areas, snapped lines for up to 24 hours due to storm are often deemed normal.
Director (operations) of Dhaka Power Distribution Company, engineer ATM Harun Ur Rashid, says: “Most of our lines are old; there are trees over the them and during storm, tree branches fall on the lines and create power outage.”
It takes time to find the affected areas which results in suffering for subscribers; but we try our best to work for the satisfaction of subscribers, he added.
To end this inconvenience, we are trying to create subterranean lines which are an expensive operation; a pilot project has already begun, he added.
On the other hand, subscribers have said they are not satisfied with the distribution system.
Several people have said: “Though power production has risen, the suffering continues.”

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