Photo: Courtesy
Two northern divisions of the country, Rajshahi and Rangpur, are rich in agricultural products. However, during the summer and irrigation seasons, residents of the 16 zillas in these divisions had been suffering from acute electricity shortages in the past years. Inadequate electricity keeps small industries idle and hampers household productivity.
Fortunately, the situation this year has shown positive signs of change. These two revenue divisions have begun receiving electricity channelised from Adani Power Jharkhand Limited (APJL), which commissioned its first 800 Megawatt unit earlier this month and is transmitting electricity reliably through Bangladesh's transmission network. As a result, the local community is reaping benefits from this development.
In 2017, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) signed an agreement with APJL which built a state of art ultra-supercritical technology-based plant with low emissions, to meet Bangladesh's electricity demand.
The Godda project consists of two power generation units with a total generation capacity of 1,600 MW. On March 20th, 2023, BPDB began importing electricity from Adani Power’s first Unit under the agreement.
BPDB is receiving around 750 MW of electricity from Adani Power's plant on a routine basis. This development is particularly significant as Bangladesh is currently forced to spend its precious foreign exchange on imported fuels, due to rising prices caused on account of changing geopolitical circumstances.
The Adani Group has already built a dedicated transmission line from Godda to the Bangladesh border to supply electricity from Adani Power's generation project in Jharkhand to Bangladesh. This transmission line runs through Rahanpur in Chapainawabganj, a border district of Rajshahi, and connects to Bogra. The imported electricity is being linked to the national grid through substations.
Primarily, the people in the northern region are benefiting from this electricity, which has reduced the burden on the country's generation capacity, enabling it to better cater to the rest of Bangladesh. The people in the 16 zillas are experiencing relief from power shortages during the intense heat and ongoing festive season. Hardships and suffering in irrigation, industry, and day-to-day life have also dramatically decreased.
In this context, a beneficiary named Enayet Ullah Khan said, "The northern region has been experiencing a power shortage for a long time. Many industrial factories remain idle due to the electricity crisis during the summer, which affects daily income and lifestyle. We hope that the imported electricity from Adani will provide a permanent solution to our suffering." Locals are hopeful for the revival of manufacturing and service activities, which will lead to higher and more remunerative employment opportunities.
The Godda Power Plant is a strategic asset in the India-Bangladesh relationship, easing power supply and improving socioeconomic conditions and standards of living in North Bangladesh, while also being the most efficient and environmentally friendly thermal power plant in Southeast India, with 100% Flue-gas desulfurization, selective catalytic reduction, and Zero Water Discharge from day one” said Mr. SB Khyalia, CEO, Adani Power Limited.
Godda Power Plant has two state-of-the-art units with ultra super-critical technology that uses various advanced technologies to mitigate environmental impact. Besides, it has an advanced system to utilize coal and water more efficiently.
TDM/FMT
