DHAKA, Dec 27, 2018 (BSS) – In continuation of ‘Power at every home’
programme, one of the ten special initiatives by Prime Minister Sheikh
Hasina, 55 lakh Solar Home System (SHS) are illuminating the country’s rural
areas.
“Now, people are not satisfied just getting electricity but they want
uninterrupted and quality power. We are working on it to ensure quality
electricity for every people,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral
Resources Nasrul Hamid told BSS here today.
He said the government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has brought 94
percent areas under electricity coverage and 55 lakh solar home systems are
being used for producing power.
“We have to materialise the Vision 2041 with installation of 60,000 MW
power generation capacity promised by the Prime Minister as the vision 2021
is being implemented,” the state minister said.
Talking to BSS, an industrialist Sheikh Atiar Rahman Dipu said the present
Awami League government has developed the power sector under the active
supervision of state minister for power and energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu.
He said the government has targeted to bring all citizens under electricity
facility by 2021 and it will be implemented within the stipulated time
because of the realistic steps of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Power Cell Director General Engineer Mohammad Hossain said the SHS
programme was launched to ensure access to clean energy for electricity
starved off-grid rural areas of Bangladesh.
The government installed additional 100 power plants during the last 10
years and the power generation capacity reached to 20,775 MW with brining 91
percent people under electricity coverage, he said.
According the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority
(SREDA), more than 4.5 million SHSs have already been installed under IDCOL
programme in the off-grid rural areas and about 13 million beneficiaries are
getting solar electricity. More than 65,000 SHSs are now being installed
every month under the programme with average year to year installation growth
of 58 percent.
The programme replaces 180,000 tonnes of kerosene having an estimated
value of USD 225 million per year. Moreover, around 70,000 people are
directly or indirectly involved with the programme, added SREDA.
The SHS programme has been acclaimed as one of the largest and the fastest
growing off-grid renewable energy programme in the world.