BSS :
With the present government’s sincere efforts and timely initiatives, the power sector will continue to succeed, as the government increased power generation to 25,235 megawatt (MW), a ministry official said.
He said the government has provided power connections to 2.99 crore new consumers with expansion of 3.53 lakh kilometres new distribution line and transmission line of 4,848 circuit kilometer in the last 12 years.
“The electricity generation capacity reached 25,235 MW from 4,942 MW in 2009, with around 99.5 percent of the population having access to electricity due to bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told BSS on Tuesday.
He said the Awami League-led government has achieved tremendous successes in the power sector in last 12 years and given top priority to the development of the sector considering its importance in the overall development of the country.
“We have successfully constructed 119 power plants having generation capacity of 20,293 MW after assuming to power in 2009,” Nasrul Hamid said.
He said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina-led Awami League government has a target to generate 24,000 MW electricity by using 53 per cent coal as primary energy by 2021.
Nasrul Hamid said that the government has taken various stimulus packages for expansion of Renewable Energy (RE) in the country, adding, “Rooftop solar and net metering system is getting popularity day by day as a business model.”
He said solar home system has been providing electricity to around 2.0 crore people at off-grid areas across the country due to bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her time befitting decisions.
Talking to BSS Director General of Power Cell under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Engineer Mohammad Hossain said construction works are going on fast at Moheshkhali area aimed at generating 2400 MW electricity from Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal Fired Power Plant.
“The government is very much optimistic to bring 1200 MW power from Matarbari Coal Fired Power Plant by 2024 and another 1200 MW in phases,” he said.
Hossain said through implementation of the project, Matarbari power plant will minimise electricity demand supply gap, create employment opportunity and develop skilled manpower through transfer of modern technology.
According to a ministry official, with sincere and relentless efforts by the government the per capita electricity generation reached 560 kWh, which was only 220 kWh in 2009. And the system loss came down to 8.49 percent from 14.33 percent.
He said the government has also a target to produce 10 percent electricity from Renewable Sources, which would accelerate achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG).
Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) provided 3.18 crore electricity connections across the country.
“Our main purpose was to eliminate inequality between village and town. Electricity will play a leading role behind the implementation of ‘My Village-My Town’ promised by the Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to expand every village with modern civic facilities,” the state minister said.
He said instructions have made to use advanced technology in power related companies and encourage consumers using energy-efficient electrical equipment.
Nasrul Hamid said the trend of development will be continued through uninterrupted supply of energy to industries as well as common people, as the country discovered a new gas field at Zakiganj in Sylhet
