Bangladesh has progressed significantly in the power sector as at present 90 per cent of the population have been brought under the electricity network against 47 per cent back in 2009.
The system loss has also been reduced drastically to 11 per cent from 16.9 per cent during this period, Finance Minister AMA Muhith said.
“Our immediate goal is to raise our power generation capacity from existing 16,046 megawatt (mw) to 24,000 mw by 2021. We expect to generate, in phases, 40,000mw power by 2030 and 60,000mw by 2041,” Muhith said while placing the national budget in parliament on Thursday.
Citing the power and energy are the government’s main priority sector, Muhith said, “Power generation capacity of the country was 4,942 megawatt (mw) in January 2009.”
“Against this backdrop, we prepared the ‘Power Sector Master Plan’ with a coordinated development strategy for power generation, transmission and distribution and implemented various activities following this plan.
The government targeted to scale up power generation to 24,000 MW by 2021 and ensure electricity supply to all in affordable price.
“The number of power plants rose to 118 from 27, power generation capacity has now increased by three times to 18,353mw due to our persistent efforts. Maximum power generation record reached 10,958mw from 3,268mw in 2009,” Muhith inform the House.
“During last nine years, construction of 2,622 circuit km transmission line, 174,000 km distribution line has been completed. Length of present transmission and distribution line are 10,680 circuit km and 450,000 km respectively.
“Currently, installation of 59 power plants having the capacity of generating 15,205MW of electricity is under way. Besides, a process is going on to install 23 power plants with a capacity of generating 4,440mw,” Muhith said.
The government has a plan to install 20 more power plants having capacity to generate 22,052 MW of electricity in near future. Alongside, installation of new power plants, maintenance of old power plants to enhance their efficiency is in progress.
On coal based power generation, Muhith said, “People are aware that we took steps for coal based power generation at the beginning of our taking over power. The outcomes of these initiatives are: first, the 1,320 MW coal based power plant at Rampal; second, the 1,200 MW coal based power plant at Matarbari; and third, the 1320MW coal based power plant at Payra of Patuakhali.”
“Besides, there have been initiatives to engage local and foreign entrepreneurs from private sector to construct 10,000 MW coal based power plant at Maheshkhali.
“While installing power plants, we are adopting the most modern techniques like afforestation, cold water supply, and controlling the disposal of polluting waste materials of power plants, Muhith said.
On nuclear power plant, the minister said, “Besides gas and coal-fired power plants, the first phase of installing nuclear power plant with capacity to generate 2,400MW electricity at Rooppur with support from Russia is expected to be completed within the current fiscal year.”
Elaborating power generation from renewable energy, Muhit said, “As part of our environment-friendly development-strategy, we want to scale up electricity generation to 20 percent of total production from renewable energy sources.”
“So far we have succeeded in installing a large number of solar home systems.
“Efforts have been made to supply electricity by connecting solar home system with the national grid and generate electricity by installing solar panel in new buildings and on the roofs of the educational institutions mandatorily,” he said.
Citing import of electricity from neighbouring India under way, Muhith said, “Currently, the capacity of Bheramara-Baharampur line and sub-centres is being enhanced following the decision to facilitate import additional 500mw of electricity.”
On import of electricity under sub-regional cooperation, Muhith said, “A tri-nation Memorandum of Understanding regarding hydroelectricity import from Bhutan is at the final stage of signing. We have plan to invest in Bhutan for hydroelectricity generation.”
“Negotiations are going on for the purpose of hydroelectricity import from Nepal, Myanmar and North-East region of India,” Muhit said.