Tremendous success in power sector attained from doubling power generation capacity because of the visionary and undaunted leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina that pulled out the nation from the abyss of darkness caused by load shedding. Power generation capacity more than doubled from 4,942MW in 2009 to 13,883MW currently, with around 74 percent of the population having access to electricity. In 2009 Load shedding was almost an everyday phenomenon years ago to the utter sufferings of all people across the country, but today electricity failure is seldom seen anywhere in both urban and rural areas many development observers term this positive change a miracle. Director General of Power Cell under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Mohammad Hossain told that last week that sincere efforts and timely initiatives along with relentless monitoring helped a lot to get rid of load- shedding. The government has already provided power connection to around 3 core people through expanding 42,000 kms new line and capacity enhancement by 1,798 megawatt (MW) in the last two years (2014 to 2015), he said. “The electricity generation capacity reached to 14,077 MW from 3,268MW in 2009 with around 74 percent of the population having access to electricity, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told recently. He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina\’s government achieved a tremendous success in the power sector during her last and present tenures as she gave top priority to its importance in the overall development of the country. “We have successfully constructed 11 power plants having generation capacity of 1,798 MW, of which four are state-run, while seven are under the private sector, ” Hamid said.
Mohammad Hossain said the government set a target to generate 24,000 MW electricity by using 53 per cent coal as primary energy source within the Vision 2021.
With this end in view, he said, the government increased the number of power plants, transmission lines and distribution lines for rapid economic growth to help Bangladesh become a middle income country by 2021.
According to Hossain, the government constructed 77 power plants with generation capacity of 6,306 MW from 2009 to 2015. A total of 6,806 MW electricity was added to the national grid including 500 MW imported power from India during the period.
Besides, the government signed agreements to construct 77 power plants with capacity of 11,408 MW both in public and private sectors, of which 52 plants with capacity of 5,287 MW joined operational activities, while the rest 25 plants having capacity of 6,082 MW are under construction.
Moreover, some 22 power plants with generation capacity of 7,848 MW are under process for tender floating and six more plants with 4,685 MW capacity are underway for planning.
Talks are on for importing electricity from Nepal and Bhutan under sub-regional cooperation, the ministry official said.
Furthermore, the government constructed 72 power plants with generation capacity of 6,112 from 2009 to 2015 and the sector has provided 67 lakh new connections during the period as the government moving forward to attain the goal of vision 2021, declaration by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, when the power generation capacity likely to 24,000 MW and the electricity will go home to home in the country.
“Present government has set a target to generate 24,000 MW electricity by 2021 and 40,000 MW by 2030 aim at bringing the all citizen of the country under electricity service,” Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said this on reposing to a question at seventh session of tenth national parliament. She said the country is now importing 500-MW electricity from India and the electricity are going to be included with national grid.
She also said the electricity is a key ingredient of the country\’s socio-economic development by boosting the industries, employment and irrigation sectors.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the government has been giving top priority to the development of the sector considering its importance in the overall development of the country.
Many investors in the world including India, China, Malaysia and different European Union countries are showing interest to invest Bangladesh as the country is providing huge efforts to generate power which is the key materials of industries, he added.
The state minister said about US$20 billion foreign investment likely to come in the sector by next five years.
Power Division sources said, during the period, per capita electricity generation has become 220Kilowatt- Hour to 371KWH and system loss 18.45 percent to 13.55 percent. “Bangladesh has achieved the fastest growth rate for installing solar home systems in the world. Over 3.7 million systems have already been installed with support from development partners,” the sources added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina received the United Nation highest environmental accolade – “Champion of the Earth” – for her outstanding leadership to help protect from natural calamities specially using the renewal pollution free fuel.
Ministry sources said the government is planning to gradually construct coal-fired power plants with generation capacity 12,000 MW at coastal area of the Bay of Bengal including Rampal in Bagerhat, Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar and Chittagong to materialize the goals.
The Sandwip upazila will become in electrification through setting up about 80-kilometars submarine cable beneath of the Bay by an approval project of the Executive Committee of National Economic Council (ECNEC) and the electricity will be included with national grid, the sources added.
The country has already signed its biggest ever contract worth $12.65 billion with a Russia’s state-run company to build the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Pabna that would generate 2,400 megawatts of electricity, according to several media news details .
The state minister said at seventh session of tenth National Parliament, a total of 26 power plants in public and private sectors having capacity of 6,277MW are under construction while some 21 power plants with generation capacity of 7,601 MW are under process for tender floating.
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