ZCZC
BSS-21
PLAN-CONSTRUCTION-ELECTRICITY
Govt to set up 16 power plants having 19,100MW capacity
DHAKA, Jan 22, 2020 (BSS) – In a major boost to power sector, the
government has undertaken a scheme for setting up 16 power plants having
19,100 megawatt (MW) electricity generation capacity in the country.
“Plan is underway to install 16 power plants having 19,100 MW generation
capacity …Construction of the plants will start in phases,” State Minister
for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told BSS here today.
Currently, the country’s power generation capacity reaches 22,787 MW while
private sector installed power plants having 8,730MW electricity generation
capacity, he said, adding, “We are working for sustainable and uninterrupted
power supply with affordable price.”
Nasrul said since assuming to power in 2009, the Awami League led
government has constructed 124 new power plants having capacity of 14,986 MW
after taking time-befitting, realistic and sustainable steps.
“Currently about 95 percent people of the country were brought under power
coverage. And this has been possible due to bold and dynamic leadership of
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” Nasrul said.
According to the power ministry officials, the government is importing
electricity from India since 2013 and 1,160 MW electricity is being imported
daily. The government augmented generation of power, expanded transmission
lines, distribution lines and improved capacity of other sectors to further
raise the economic growth up to Bangladesh’s becoming a middle income country
by 2021.
He said the government has been implementing a master-plan to generate
24,000-MW electricity by 2021, 40,000-MW by 2030 and 60,000-MW by 2041, to
improve the livelihood of all sections of the people, particularly the poor
and vulnerable communities.
“The power and energy ministry has been working relentlessly for building
“Sonar Bangla” as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur
Rahman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is pledge-bound to make “Digital
Bangladesh” by ensuring access to power for all citizens by 2021,” the state
minister said.
Earlier, only 27 power plants with a mere 4,942 MW capacity were in the
country when Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina took office in 2009.
Currently the number of power consumers rose to 3.60 crore and per capita
electricity generation is now 510 kWh and the annual development programme
allocation Taka 28,862 crore in 2019-20 for power sector development. The
government successfully brought down system loss to 9.35 percent from 14.33
percent.
BSS/SPL/SAS/RY/1741 hrs