1840-MW to be added to national grid in 2017: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said 1840 megawatts power would be added to the national grid in 2017 as part of government`s plan to produce 24000 megawatts by 2021 to ensure electricity for all.

Replying to a scripted question from treasury bench member Fazilatunnesa Bappi in parliament during Prime Minister`s Question-Answer Session, she said the government has a plan to import 6500-MW power from neighbouring countries by 2030.

The prime minister said now Bangladesh imports 600-MW power from India under sub-regional cooperation. Discussions are going on to purchase hydropower from Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and northeastern part of India, she said.

Under the Private Sector Power Generation Policy of Bangladesh, she said tax facilities are being given to the commercial producers for 15 years on their income.

She said in five years of her government`s first tenure, the country`s power generation increased by three times while in the first three years of the second term electricity generation capacity has reached 15351-MW.

The prime minister said during the tenure of her government, agreements were signed for constructing 93 power plants with capacity of producing 17,982-MW power and out of those 60 plants have launched commercial production generating 6,613-MW power.

Per capita power consumption in Bangladesh is now 407 kilowatts which was 220 kilowatts eight years ago.

Pointing out her government’s preference to coal-based power generation, the prime minister said 12 mega projects with capacity of generating 9,840-MW power now remained under construction.

Highest security measures were taken for environment protection while constructing coal-based power plants, she said adding that 3,100-MW power would come from renewable energy.