Power Sector of Bangladesh

[akash57]

Massive power grid overhaul planned

FHM Humayan Kabir

The government has taken up a major programme to upgrade the country's rickety power grid infrastructure in an attempt to boost electricity supply, officials said.

Power Division officials said they have planned to install high-voltage and sophisticated transmission lines to transport power smoothly from the country's generation-rich regions to energy-famished zones including Dhaka and Chittagong.

"We have undertaken some projects for laying sophisticated transmission grids across the country. The grid will be installed to supply electricity from the existing and upcoming power stations," a senior power division official told the FE.

The state-owned Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) would lay the transmission grids across the country to help the government meet its electoral pledges to increase electricity generation to 7000-megawatt (mw) by 2013 and 20,000 mw by 2021.

By 2013, the PGCB will install 168-kilometre-long power transmission line between Bibiyana and Kaliakor with the capacity of 400-kilovolt (kv).

With 230kv capacity, it will build the Fenchuganj-Bibiyana transmission grid at the same time, which will stretch 38 kilometres. The combined costs of the two grids are estimated at Tk17.20 billion.

The state-owned company will also install another 165km-long and 230kv transmission lines from Bibiyana to Comilla at a cost of Tk3.78 billion to transmit surplus power from the greater Sylhet region to the industrial belt of Chittagong.

The company plans to lay Rauzan-Sikalabaha-Anwara via Madunaghat and Hathazari-Khulshi 230kv transmission line to supply power to the port city of Chittagong from the proposed 1320mw coal-fired power station at Anwara and from the Rauzan power station. The project will involve US$ 85 million.

Another plan is to install Anowara-Meghnaghat 400kv transmission line at a cost of $283 million to transmit electricity from the planned 1320mw coal-based power plant at Anowara to energy-hungry Dhaka.

The state power transmission group will lay Aminbazar-Maowa-Mongla 400kv and Mongla-Khulna 230kv transmission line to supply surplus power from the proposed 1320mw coal-fired power station in Khulna to Dhaka at a cost of $220 million.

Besides, the PGCB has undertaken a project to install 40km 400kv cross-border transmission grid between Bangladesh's Bheramara to Indian Baharampur at a cost of $142 million by 2012 to import 500mw power from the Indian West Bengal state.

Another 230kv Barisal-Bhola-Burhanuddin transmission grid would also be laid at a cost of $70 million to add power to national grid from the proposed power stations in the island district of Bhola.

"Our age-old facility will be unable to cope with the rising demand for power after 2013. So, we have to install more high-voltage grids to boost the country's power supply capacity," the official said.

Bangladesh is one of energy-ravenous countries in the world, where only 48 per cent people have access to power. Its demand for power is expanding at 8.0 per cent a year.

At present, the country can generate about 4200mw electricity against a peak-hour demand of over 5500mw.

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=113432&date=2010-10-02

 

[Donatello]

Is this total capacity including private textile mill/ Factory production or just the power produced by Government owned plants?

 

[eastwatch]

Is this total capacity including private textile mill/ Factory production or just the power produced by Government owned plants?

I think, the govt has no data on how many mW of electricity the mills and factories produce in the generators they install in their factories. In the developed countries many big factories have this type of STAND BY generators. These generators are only run there to produce additional power when suddenly there is a surge in demands in the factory, and not because of load shedding.

But, in case of Bangladesh these stand by generators have become the main source of power that itself run the industries, because there are continuous load sheddings all the time. Govt installed capacity is just over 4,500 mw, and the real production is less than 4,000 mW. It is very small, so the govt has taken steps to increase it to 20,000 mW by 2021.

 

[akash57]

Summit Wins 300-450mw Bibiyana Power Plant Bid

Dhaka: Summit, the largest power giant in Bangladesh, has finally won the Bibiyana 300-450 megawatt (mw) gas-fired combined cycle power plant as it became the lowest bidder to construct the plant.

With this win Summit has become the first local company to win a big power plant in Bangladesh after offering to sell electricity at a tariff rate of Tk 3.32 per unit (1 kilowatt-hour).

Director General of Power Cell Mahboob Sarwar-e-Kainat told reporters on Thursday (Oct 14).

Malaysian YTL Power International Berhard was the nearest competitor for the Bibiyana power plant.

Four foreign and local firms and their joint ventures including-Shasha Denims and its joint-venture partner MPC Consortium of Meiya Power Company Ltd (Hong Kong) and the Otobi Ltd along with Asian Entech Power Corporation Ltd and their joint-venture partners China National Machinery and Equipment Import and Export Corporation (CMEC) - were qualified primarily by the Power Cell.

Seven firms initially showed interest to install the 300-450mw gas-fired Bibiyana power plant.

Summit Power Chairman Muhammed Aziz Khan said: “We are very glad to be the lowest bidder. We will utilise the world’s most efficient engine from GE of USA to generate extraordinarily low-cost and environment-friendly electricity”.

Summit Industrial and Mercantile Corporation (Pvt) Ltd and its partner GE Energy LLC will build the power plant after signing necessary deals.

Bibiyana power plant, which is also known as Bibiyana -1 power plant, will be implemented on a build, own and operate (BOO) basis pursuant to a 22-year implementation agreement.

The government will provide necessary land and required gas to the selected sponsors for generating electricity.

The estimated cost for installing the Bibiyana plant will be over $300 million. Multilateral donor agency the World Bank is set to provide funding to implement the power plant project.

The plant will generate electricity by consuming natural gas from US oil giant Chevron-operated Bibiyana gas field.

http://www.energybangla.com/index.php?mod=article&cat=PowerSector&article=2815

 

[eastwatch]

Chinese firm to build two 50mw power plants

Chinese Firm to Build Two 50 MW Power Plants
FE Report

The government has awarded contract to Chinese Dongfang Electric International Corporation to build two 50 megawatt (mw) capacity furnace oil run power plants at Katakhali and Shantahar.

The Power Development Board (PDB) signed two separate deals with the Chinese firm Monday to generate around 100 mw of electricity from the two plants.

Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power Muhammad Enamul Haq, Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad and top officials from the PDB and the Chinese firm took part in the deal signing ceremony.

Speaking on the occasion Dr Elahi reiterated the government's commitment to augment electricity generation substantially within its tenure.

He said around 9,000 mw of additional electricity generation would be possible by 2013 next.

The energy adviser also urged the sponsor to complete building the power plant within the given timeframe.

Dongfang Electric International Corporation President Luo Zhi Gang and PDB Secretary Md Azizul Islam signed the deal on behalf of their respective sides.

Both the Katakhali and Shantahar power plants are expected to start electricity generation from the plants by January 2012.

The total cost of the Katakhali and Shantahar power plant projects have been estimated at Tk 3.11 billion and 3.19 billion respectively.

 

[eastwatch]

The New Nation - Internet Edition

30,000 Solar Home Systems being Installed Monthly
BSS, Dhaka

Bangladesh has made significant headway in implementing a renewable energy expansion programme by installing the Solar Home System (SHS) that reduces greenhouse emissions and ensures sustainable development in the energy sector.

Every month more than 30,000 solar home systems are being installed in the country adding one and a half MW of electricity. One and a half years ago, about 12,000 systems were installed every month.

Bangladesh will project its achievement in implementing the renewable energy project at Delhi International Renewable Energy Conference to be held from October 26-30. A five-member delegation, led by adviser to the prime minister Dr Tawfiq-e- Elahi Choudhury will join the conference.

According to the power division, Bangladesh made a pledge at Washington International Renewable Energy Conference, 2008 that about five per cent of its total electricity generation will come from renewable sources by 2015.

"To ensure energy security and to reduce carbon emission, we have taken up a massive programme to implement a renewable energy, energy conservation plan," Dr. Tawfiq said.

He said Bangladesh would present a paper in the conference highlighting the government plan to set up Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), a separate organization to oversee the renewable issues.

"We are moving very fast to achieve our target as the demand of solar home system is growing 70 percent yearly," Islam Sharif, CEO of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), told on Saturday.

He claimed that if the present pace of expansion of solar home system continues, Bangladesh could add 2.5 MW of electricity every month from 2014.

IDCOL along with other NGOs are engaged in installing solar home systems. To promote installation of the system, IDCOL received EURO 2.2 million as grant from GTZ of Germany. Earlier, it got EURO 3.44 million grant from GTZ.

IDCOL will be able to finance installation of about 50,000 solar home systems. It has a target of financing 1 million systems by 2012. World Bank, ADB, KfW and Islamic Development Bank are also funding IDCOL's renewable energy programmes.

To promote the RE programme in the country, the government lifted all sorts of tax and VAT from renewable equipment.

 

[Skies]

http://www.defence.pk/forums/turkey...power-ship-islamabad-provide-electricity.html

^

Look: it's interesting.

 

[eastwatch]

http://www.defence.pk/forums/turkey...power-ship-islamabad-provide-electricity.html
Look: it's interesting.

Thanks for article about the Turkish power ship with more than 230 mW capacity. Quite a few years back BD also tried to build a power station on a floating barge somewhere in Khulna. It is a good idea no doubt. But, considering our records of heavy cyclones, this idea may not be so good in Bangladesh. Land based power stations would be more suitable for Bangladesh.

GoB is keeping on floating tender after tender for many power stations. However, it is very strange to see these are mostly gas-operated ones. When gas is in short supply now and new gas fields are not being discovered or developed, I wonder what is the future of these gas operated power stations in BD.

 

[akash57]

Coal (black gold) – future energy of Bangladesh

Coal may be termed ‘black gold’. World’s 50 per cent energy comes from coal. Bangladesh is sleeping on the black gold mine bed located in the northern districts of Rangpur and Dinajpur, while facing a mounting energy crisis and relies on natural gas as the main source of energy, which is depleting at geometrical progression. In contrast, Bangladesh has proven reserve of 3.0 billion tonnes of low sulphur, low ash, high caloric value bituminous coal in five discovered coal mines – Phulbari, Barapukuria, Jamalganj, Dighipara and Khalsapir.

Bangladesh had 15 tcf (trillion cubic feet) of proven reserve of natural gas; the remaining 6 tcf reserve of natural gas may run out by 2015, if no discovery is made soon. As against this, the coal reserves in five fields of Bangladesh are estimated at 3.0 billion tonnes equivalent to 67 tcf of gas, which can conveniently serve the energy needs of Bangladesh for 50 years.

But due to lack of vision, political commitment, indecision and energy mafia’s propaganda we failed to explore and exploit the natural resources to utilise these for economic development. We have miserably failed to cope up with the increasing energy demand of the country. We have age-old mining policy, mining act and mining regulations. We do not have any exploration and utilisation strategy of gas reserve. We are yet to have a coal policy finalised.

Bangladesh government has no other option but to start coal mining without further delaying a single day adopting a technically appropriate, economically feasible and environmentally friendly mining method. We should immediately go for mining in Phulbari and Barapukuria using modern mining technology appropriate to our conditions. If we go for open pit mining, we can extract 90 per cent coal and if we go for underground mining, we can extract only 5.0 per cent coal. The obvious option will be the open pit method. I shall discuss the other advantages of open pit in the later part of this article. Emphasis must be given on this method so that coal mining is safe, economic and environment-friendly. The community of the mine affected people must get properly compensated, relocated to modern city. The mined land may be reclaimed within 10 to 15 years which must be handed over to the original owners.

The concern and propaganda of desertification and massive environmental disaster is illogical. There are hundreds of open pit mines in India. Eighty-eight (88) per cent of electrical power plants of India are coal based. Across our western border there are 273 coal mine fields in Jharkhand, Orissa and West Bengal of which 90 are open pit. The number of total mine fields in India is 562. India has not become a desert. South Africa, Poland, China, Australia and USA have not become deserts though they use their own mined coal to the tune of 49 per cent to 93 per cent for power generation.

Coal Reserves in Bangladesh
No Place/Field (Discovery) Depth (metre) Area (sq km) Estimated Reserve (million tonnes)
1 Barapukuria, Dinajpur (1985) 119-506 6.68 390
2 Khalsapir, Rangpur (1995) 257-483 12.00 143 (GSB), 685 (Hosaf)
3 Phulbari, Dinajpur (1997) 150-240 30.00 572
4 Jamalganj, Jaipurhat (1965) 900-1000 16.00 1050
5 Dighipara, Dinajpur (1995) 327 Yet to be known 200

The above chart shows the details of coal in Bangladesh. The depth of the discovered fields ranges between 119 – 506 metres and 150 – 240 metres in Barapukuria and Phulbari respectively. The depth of the largest field at Jamalganj ranges from 900 – 1000 metres. The area covered by coal fields is rather limited and is about 70 – 80 square kilometres. The total coal deposit is 3.0 billion tonnes. A total of 1.73 million tonnes of coal has been extracted by underground method from Barapukuria up to December 2008. The present value of coal per tonne in international market is for steam coal US$ 65-115, coking coal US$ 250, metallurgic coke coal US$ 525. The total value of coal will be more than US$ 500 billion.

Choice of Method:
The method of mining depends on several things – geology, soil conditions and nature, nature of overburden, hydrology, depth, thickness and nature of coal seam. Barapukuria underground mining initiative was not an appropriate choice. The mine has a strong aquifer above coal layer and does not have strong roof support for underground mining. The feasibility study, according to many, was not properly done. Prior to commencement of mining at design stage risk analysis and HAZOP (Hazard and Operability) analysis were not properly done. It has been established by now that underground mining at Barapukuria was a technical blunder and an engineering crime. All kinds of mine disasters – flooding due to water ingression, spontaneous combustion of coal and release of lethal carbon monoxide and explosive methane gas, huge land subsidence, coal dust and excessive heat and humidity in the mine atmosphere, and rock bump and sudden caving etc. in a coal mine have taken place there. Bangladesh had to sink more than Tk 20 billion (2,000 crore) for mining at Barapukuria, where no further mining based on the present underground long wall mining is feasible after the current phase is completed. All these evidences justify that open pit mining was an appropriate choice for Barapukuria. We must not do the same mistakes in Phulbari and must go for open pit. The experiences of Barapukuria and Phulbari will dictate what will be the course for Jamalganj and other mine fields. Ultimately the energy ministry has understood the mistakes and planned to take up a pilot project for open pit mining in Barapukuria.

Effects of Mining:
Mining of coal and burning coal have definite environmental and social impacts. Coal mining releases approximately twenty toxic chemicals of which 85 per cent is said to be managed on the site. Coal mining produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane, potent greenhouse gas causing climate change and global warming. It creates acid rain, acid rain drainage (ARD), dusts, and mercury emissions and interferes with the ground water and water table levels, rendering land unfit for use and pollute air.

Modern scientific methods have been evolved to manage these bad impacts. Water is treated and re-cycled for proper use. Dust is suppressed by water sprinkling. Top soil preserved separately is placed on the top again when land is reclaimed. Thus the management of water, air and land is done.

Coal Mine Act:
Bangladesh government must update and adopt a Coal Mine Act and Coal Mine Rules and Regulations immediately for the development and operation of coal mines and create an Inspectorate of Mines. The Inspectorate of Mines, which is to be headed by the Chief Inspector of mines, will regularly monitor, observe, make examination and enquire whether the provisions of the Mine Act and Mine Rules and Regulations and the bye-laws are observed in the mines.

The Coal Mine Act and Coal Mine Rules and Regulations must cover the following provisions:
a. Effective management and control of the mine including operation and maintenance of roadways, coal faces etc.
b. Shaft sinking operation,
c. Fire prevention and control,
d. Precautions in vertical bunkers,
e. Protection against accidents,
f. Strata control,
g. Protection against outburst,
h. Protection against explosion,
i. Respirable coal dust control,
j. Protection against inrushes of water,
k. Protection against spontaneous combustion,
l. Control of temperature,
m. Control and prevention of poisonous gases, noises,
n. Safety in shafts and windings,
o. Safety lamps,
p. Safety of ventilation systems,
q. electrical regulations and applications.

We are following the foreign mine act and regulations which are not suited to our interest. A professional mining education and training institute for the environmentally and socially sustainable development of Bangladesh coal sector may be established. A Mining Faculty may be opened in Haji Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur and a Polytechnic Institute may be set up around that area.

Recommendations:
a. We should immediately go for coal mining for economic development of the country.
b. Mined coal should be used for electrical power generation near mine area to solve the nagging energy crisis.
Mined coking coal (30 per cent), found suitable for making metallurgic coke coal, may be used for steel making in blast furnace to derive maximum economic benefit. Iron ores may be imported from Indian state of Orissa. Steel mills may be established in the mine area.
d. No export of coal. We should develop coal based industry so that mined coal can be fully utilised.
e. We should float Bangladesh Coal Mining Company for mining coal. A public-private partnership mining company may be established for close monitoring and checking probable exploitation.
f. As we have no experience and expertise, foreign mining companies may be invited for coal mining in the first phase and prevented from taking away the lion’s share.
g. People in the mining area should be properly and adequately rehabilitated and compensated.
h. Open pit method for mining will be appropriate and most suitable for Phulbari and Barapukuria coal mines.
i. Social environmental impact management should be taken care of.
j. Bangladesh government must get proper royalty, excise duties, taxes, fees, VAT etc.
(The author is a mechanical engineer and was a sub-sector commander in War of Liberation.)

Coal (black gold) – future energy of Bangladesh

 

[Stealth_fighter]

everything seems to be on the paper....it would be great if these comes true...Hridoye Banglades..wish u all the best my beloved homeland

 

[eastwatch]

Coal (black gold) – future energy of Bangladesh

Bangladesh had 15 tcf (trillion cubic feet) of proven reserve of natural gas; the remaining 6 tcf reserve of natural gas may run out by 2015, if no discovery is made soon. As against this, the coal reserves in five fields of Bangladesh are estimated at 3.0 billion tonnes equivalent to 67 tcf of gas, which can conveniently serve the energy needs of Bangladesh for 50 years.

I am personally aware of the vast coal reserves in our NW. But, no political govt is coming up with a concrete decision about their mining and producing power. Our coal is almost ash free and the heat content is high. But, GoB cannot make a comprehensive plan about coal utilization.

 

[eastwatch]

Solar power changing rural lifestyle, mostly in <i>chars</i>

Sunday, October 31, 2010
NationalSolar power changing rural lifestyle, mostly in chars

People enjoy a TV programme at a house of Dahagram enclave under Patgram upazila of Lalmonirhat district recently as electricity generated with the help of solar energy has given the enclave dwellers the opportunity to use and enjoy modern amenities, especially of information and entertainment.Photo: STAR
Star National DeskRemote char areas of Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat districts now see rapid change in lifestyle, thanks to the introduction of solar power by a few non-governmental organisations.

Used to lighting houses with kerosene lamps only a few years ago, they are now are using solar power to light houses and shops and even watch television.

Over 1,500 families in remote char areas along Jamuna basin in four upazilas of Gaibandha district are using solar power for domestic and commercial purposes, reports our Gaibandha correspondent.

Grameen Shakti and Rahimafroze have supplied the solar panel in 22 unions along Teesta and Jamuna basin.

Grameen Shakti alone supplied solar panel among 1,100 families in Gaibandha district during the last three years.

Local NGO Gano Unnayan Kendro at char Nischintapur in Fulchari upazila has been using solar power provided by Grameen Sakti for the last three years, said an official of Grameen Shakti.

"We have provided instalment facilities, so that most people in remote areas can afford solar power," he added.

"I have already set up a solar panel from Rahimafroz Company at a cost of Tk 27,000. Fitting it on the roof of my shop, I am using its power to lit three bulbs and watch television," said Anwar Hossain, a shop owner of Char Kunderpara Bazaar in Gaibandha Sadar upazila.

Besides providing entertainment facilities, solar power has helped bring information of home and abroad near the people of remote areas as they can now watch television.

There is an increasing trend to use solar power, said Abu Sayed Sarker, chairman of Fulchhari Upazila Parishad.

He urged the government to provide subsidy on solar panel to enable poor people use solar power.

People of 'main land' areas are also showing interest to use solar panel as they suffer frequent power failures in the system provided by PDB and Rural Electrification Board.

In Lalmonirhat, sitting at his tea stall, elderly Mazir Ali sips at his evening tea along with his customers. A small fan inside the stall keeps them cool as they watch an exciting Bangla film on Ali's black and white TV.

The scene was quite unimaginable only five years ago when almost all the people in remote char areas on Dharla and Teesta rivers used kerosene lanterns to light their houses after sunset, reports a correspondent.

They are now increasingly using solar power technology, made available by a few NGOs, to solve their power crisis and improve lifestyle.

At least 700 solar power systems have been set up in the 26 chars under Sadar, Aditmari and Kaliganj upazilas of Lalmonirhat, NGO officials reported.

Residents of the remote chars said the Rural Electrification Board could not provide electricity connections to their households as they are separated by rivers.

Non-governmental organisations such as Grameen Shakti, BRAC and Gano Prochar Kalyan Sangstha (GPKS) have been providing the solar power appliance to char residents for payment in instalments.

Each solar power appliance consists of a solar carbon panel, batteries and connection cables, and can supply power to a line of households simultaneously.

The NGO officials carry out the set up and maintenance of the solar appliance, which usually come with a guarantee period of 15 years.

The appliance price ranges from Tk 20,000 to 40,000 depending on its power producing capacity, ranging from 20 to 500 Watts.

The appliance can be purchased by depositing 15 to 20 percent of its total cost as down payment. The remaining amount is repayable in 30 to 50 monthly instalments with applicable service charge of 5 to 8 percent.

Constant electricity supply enables solar power users run lights and fans at homes and enjoy TV programmes. They can know more about the country, the government activities as well as about the world while students can better attend to their study.

 

[eastwatch]

Huge treble for Summit

Huge treble for Summit
It makes winning bid also for Bibiyana-2 power project; plans for $1b investment
Staff Correspondent

A local power company along with its American partner General Electric yesterday had its third winning bid in a major power project -- Bibiyana phase-II -- to become the first one in the country going for a total investment of one billion dollars in this sector.

Summit sought a power tariff of US 3.3991 cents per kilowatt hour for a contract period of 22 years. Its nearest competitor Indian GMR made an offer of 4.932 cents per kilowatt hour.

The Power Development Board yesterday opened the financial offers of these two bidders for the 450 megawatt gas-fired combined cycle private power project.

The PDB will now check back if Summit's price offer has any miscalculation. It will then send its recommendations to the power ministry to award the contract to Summit, if the calculations stand correct.

In less than one month, Summit made three winning bids for Bibiyana-1, Meghnaghat-2 and Bibiyana-2 private power projects.

Summit was declared the lowest responsive bidder last month for the Bibiyana-1 project with its offer of 3.32 cents per kilowatt hour. It is the lowest offer in any power tender floated in the last six years.

The company also made a winning offer for the Meghnaghat-2 dual-fuel project where it will have to build a plant that can run both on gas and furnace oil. It offered 3.98 cents per kilowatt hour for gas-based power and 9.11 cents per unit for furnace oil-based power. Its average tariff stood at 6.86 cents.

While Summit's bids are perceived as 'stunningly' low, the local company now has to invest up to $1 billion in building the three power projects, and also forming three implementation teams. It is a massive task, and no Bangladeshi has even dreamt of being able to accomplish such a job, one source said.

“We have already appointed Germany's Lahmayer International as our engineering and supervision agency,” says Summit chief Muhammad Aziz Khan. "We have also signed a memorandum of understanding with General Electric (GE) assigning it with maintenance of the power plants and engineering supervision of the project during the implementation period.”

Asked about the one billion dollar investment, Aziz Khan said, “In the modern world, good projects do not lack investment. Multilateral agencies and the USA are keen to see development in this crucial sector. We have been reassured by the multilateral agencies, GE Energy LLC and our capital market that there won't be any shortage of funding in the most needed infrastructure.”

The PDB wants to conclude signing of the agreement by December with the target of bringing the power plant into operation in 2013. It floated the tender for the project in May.

The Bibiyana-2 power project will use gas from Bibiyana gas field.

The gas field that produces around 700 million cubic feet gas per day (mmcfd) now is expected to produce 1,000 mmcfd by 2013.

 

[CaPtAiN_pLaNeT]

REB Incurs Tk 370cr Loss Annually

Sunday, 10.17.2010, 07:26pm (GMT)

Dhaka: The Rural Electrification Board (REB) of Bangladesh incurs a loss of Taka 370 crore every year as its PBSs (Palli Bidyut Samities) have lost their `cooperative attitude' and are being governed by political directives, according to a World Bank-sponsored study.

The study was conducted by Power Cell, the think tank of government in the power sector, in collaboration with the International Consultancy Company Infrastructure Services Management on REB's financial and engineering capability and scope of expansion of this organization. REB has also increased the disparity of access of electricity between urban and rural areas as the rural people did not get any additional electricity from the national grid in last four years.

There are 70 PBSs of which only three are making profit and the ratio of access of electricity between rural and urban people now stands at 8:20, the study said.

The study said due to political interference, the rural people got poles but they did not get electricity, in past years. Electricity is a political agenda here. The demand for electricity was ignored by the REB Board because of political interference, it said.

Once REB was a replica of Bangladesh in the world. It portrayed its golden achievement in rural electrification introducing the cooperative system of USA in electrifying rural areas in late 70s.

The study also said that the disparity of access of electricity between urban and rural areas has increased although the government announces that all the people of the country will get electricity by 2020.

Country Director of National Rural Electric Cooperative Association of the United States (NRECA) Jems Foard and State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Enamul Haque were present at study unveiling ceremony. NRECA is a partner of REB both in financial and technical matters.

---------- Post added at 03:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 03:25 AM ----------

Sweden Keen to Support Bangladesh&#8217;s Renewable Energy Sector

Wednesday, 11.03.2010, 03:41pm (GMT)

Sweden is keen to support Bangladesh&#8217;s various sectors including renewable energy. The assurance came when newly appointed Bangladesh Ambassador to Sweden AFM Gousal Azam Sarker presented his Credentials to King Carl XVI Gustaf at the Royal Palace recently, said a press release.

The Bangladesh Ambassador conveyed best wishes and greetings from the President and the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to the King and the people of Sweden. The King in response, requested him to convey his greetings to the President and the Prime Minister.

The Bangladesh Ambassador highlighted great importance that Bangladesh attached to its relations with Sweden, a significant development and trade/investment

partner.

While he sought support and assistance of the Swedish Government in the areas of renewable energy, technology transfer and industrialization, higher education and human resources development, ship building, IT, etc.

The Swedish King assured him of all cooperation and support of the Swedish Government. The King encouraged our Ambassador to work for enhancing and widening bilateral cooperation.

 

[CaPtAiN_pLaNeT]

Bangladesh Needs $6 billion to Install Planed Coal Based Power Plants

Monday, 10.25.2010, 07:17am (GMT)

Dhaka: Experts have said that the Bangladesh government needs US dollar six billion to implement coal power projects to meet the increased demand of electricity in the country as gas reserve is depleting and becoming inadequate to run more gas-based power stations.
According to Power System Master Plan (PSMP) the government has planned to set up eight new power plants with 4,000MW capacity by the year 2015.
The government has primarily identified 13 places to install coal based power plants and now trying to install four plants at Khulna, Mongla, Meghnaghat and Chittagong areas, sources said.
Taking into consideration the fast-growing demand of power consumption amid scanty supply, the PSMP has also taken up a mega-plan for producing about 20500MW additional electricity in 20 years from 2005 to 2025 by setting up 30 new plants.
Of the plants, eight or more will be installed in the country&#8217;s north and northeastern regions where demand for electricity is increasing at a galloping rate of seven percent.
In order to achieve this goal the development of Barapukuria and Phulbari should be more intensive, experts opined.
Giving emphasis on extracting domestic coal in shortest possible time former adviser for the energy and power, an expert said, &#8220;A clear coal exploration and production friendly policy is required to achieve the target&#8221;.
According to the National Energy Policy 2004, country&#8217;s total coal reserve is 2527 million tonnes in four fields and of that 492 million tonnes recoverable from the reserves. This recoverable coal reserve is equivalent to 14 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas.
Production of additional coal from the discovered coal deposits of Bangladesh will help ensure energy security and reduce dependence on single source of energy. It needs earliest decision on the pending issues of the coalmining lease and licence, experts opined.