ZCZC
BSS -51
QUALITY-ELECTRICITY-DREAM
Access to reliable electricity is no more a dream
By Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo
DHAKA, May 29, 2019 (BSS)-Access to quality and reliable electricity is no
more a dream as the country’s 93 percent people are now getting supply of
power, which was only 47 percent before 2009.
“After assuming power in 2009, the government formulated a roadmap for the
power and energy sector with an aim to bring every citizen under electricity
facility by 2021,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources
Nasrul Hamid told BSS here.
The power generation capacity already reached 21,419 MW and the government
has a target to increase power generation to 28,000 megawatt (MW) and
construct 23,000 circuit kilometer transmission lines across the country by
2023.
“Now the ministry is working unremittingly for building “Sonar Bangla” as
dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina is pledge-bound to make ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by
ensuring access to power for all citizens by 2021,” said Nasrul.
According to the power ministry, the government has a plan to set up
23,000 circuit kilometre transmission lines across the country by 2023 to
ensure uninterrupted supply of power across the country. It is also
implementing a master plan to generate 24,000 MW electricity by 2021, 40,000
MW by 2030 and 60,000 MW by 2041.
Meanwhile, the government has also added LNG to the national gas grid and
move is underway to bring more LNG from different countries to meet the
increasing demand of energy.
Currently, the number of power consumers rose to 3.32 crore, which was
only 1.80 crore in 2009 and per capita electricity generation is now 464 kWh.
The annual development programme (ADP) allocation for power and energy
ministry is Taka 25,695 crore for fiscal 2018-19, the ministry sources added.
The ruling Awami League government in its election manifesto said they
would set up three separate energy hubs at Moheskhali, Matarbari and Payra
aimed at facilitating supply of fuel for under-construction coal and LNG-
based power plants across the country.
Sources at the power ministry said currently, 55 power plants are under
construction with a total capacity of 13,654MW while another 23 power plants
with a total generation capacity of 7,461 MW are under tender process.
The government is also constructing eight mega coal-based power plant
projects having a total generation capacity of 9,960 MW in Payra, Rampal,
Matarbari and Moheshkhali.
Of the eight coal-fired plants, the first one at Payra in Patuakhali with
1,300 MW capacity is expected to come into operation by next year as about 50
percent work on this power has already been completed, , sources said.
The construction of 1,200MW coal-based power plant at Matarbari is
expected to go into operation in 2023. Construction work of the 1,320 MW
power plant at Rampal, Bagerhat is progressing fast.
Besides, construction of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP-two units) with
a total generation capacity of 2,400 MW is also going on in full swing at
Rooppur of Pabna and the first phase of the project is expected to complete
in 2022.
BSS/SPL/SAS/TAN/ARS/1940 hrs