Photo : Messenger
During the 54 years of independence of the country, electricity generation will reach 30,000 MW in 2024 from 300 MW in 1971 which ensures power for all.
In the journey, the Awami League government which led to achieve the independence has played a pivotal role in ensuring electricity for all hiking generation from 3,800 MW to 30,000 MW during the 15 years journey from 2009 to 2024.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told the Daily Messenger, “As the leading party of independence, we the commitment to the people of the country.
To meet the commitment, we have to ensure light for all. We have achieved the goal in 100th birth anniversary of the father of nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujubur Rahman”
“Still, we are far away for ensure smooth service and quality power to the industry. I hope, we will achieve the goal within our current tenure,” he said.
According to the Power Development Board (PDB) in 1971 power generation in the country was 200 MW which increased to 300 MW in 1972. Of this, 1971 to 1981 power generation was 300 MW to 983, 1981 to 1981 generation increased to 2,500 MW, during 1991 to 2001 generation increased to 3000MW, 2001 to 2010 generation increased to 388 MW, during 2010 to 2020 generation increased to 21,000 MW and during 2020 to 2024 generation increased by 30000 MW.
Experts think, the AL government has achieved remarkable in power generation but still our transmission sector is fragile. Resulted, we cannot utilize the entire capacity.
Prof. Shamsul Alam, the country’s prominent energy expert told the Daily Messenger, “It is true that the country has been covered by the electricity and installed 30,000 MW but the people of the country cannot enjoy the facility properly as we don’t have adequate modern transmission facility.”
Moreover, during the 15 years, the power and energy sector has been running under a special act which has made the sector corrupt and mismanaged, he said.
According to Power Cell, the maximum power generation of the country has recorded 15,648 MW as of 19 April 2023 while number of the customers were 4. 66 crores. The total transmission Lines of the sector is 15,246 km. Grid Substation Capacity is 66,839 MVA. Distribution Line is 6.43 lakh km. System loss in distribution is 7.65 percent as of June 2023. Per Capita Production is 602 KM in FY22-23. Installation of pre-paid meters are 62,84, 778. Solar home system is 60 lakhs.
Bangladesh has 150 power plants including mega projects like 2400 MW capacity nuclear power plants and three 1320 MW coal-based power plants.
According to Plan, in 2041, the electricity demand has been estimated at 50,364 MW. Against this demand, the production capacity has been asked to be increased by 74,300 MW, which is 47 percent more than the demand.
Of these, the power generation capacity will be 11,500 MW from coal`, 6,700 MW from oil, 29,300 MW from gas and LNG, 4,800 MW from nuclear power plants, 1,000 MW from hydropower, 20,00 MW from wind, 6000 MW solar, 11200 MW from hydrogen and 5,000 MW from ammonia and 15,700 MW will be imported by the year 2050.
In the master plan, up to 2050, the expenditure on the energy infrastructure sector is estimated at $179 billion investment in the LNG and gas infrastructure sector will require about $4 billion. The cost of power plant construction is estimated at $118.6 billion. The construction of the transmission line is estimated to cost about $2 billion.
Professor Shamsul Alam said the plan is ambitious. And the estimation will not comply with the reality. During the 15 years, the government could fetch only $30 billion in foreign investment only.
Messenger/Disha
