More 77 power plants in the offing, says official

Some 77 power plants under both public and private sectors with a total of 18,905-megawatt (MW) generation capacity are now being set up across the country, says a senior official of the power, energy and mineral resources ministry.

"Of the total, 47 power plants with the capacity of 13,813 MW would enter into operations in phases from 2018 to 2024," said Director General (DG) of Power Cell Engineer Mohammad Hossain on Monday, reports BSS.

Besides, he said, some 30 power plants with 5,092 MW capacity are under tender process.

Engineer Hossain said the government has been working to complete all the power plants within the stipulated period as part of "Sheikh Hasina's 10 Initiatives: Electricity to All by 2021."

The government during its tenure launched 88 power plants having 8,819MW of generation capacity, he mentioned. "Some 30 power plants including 25 privately-run ones having 5,092 MW generation capacity are now under tender floating stage," he informed.

Engineer Hossain said the 47 under-construction power plants with 13,813 MW of generation capacity will generate electricity in phases, adding, "The government is constructing 18 plants having 7,313 MW and the privately-run plants with 6,458 MW installation capacity."

He said the government has a plan to install power plants having 4,676 MW of generation capacity by 2018, 4,833 MW in 2019, 4,072 MW in 2020 and 3,047 MW in 2021.

"The government will ensure electricity for all by 2021 through an integrated development of power generation, transmission and distribution system.

Universal access to quality electricity in a cost-effective and affordable manner would also be ensured," the power cell DG further said.

According to the power cell information, the country's power generation capacity stands at 16,046 MW at present and the highest generation was 9,507 MW against the demand.

The number of total consumers has reached 28.2 million now and the transmission lines 10,622 ckt km.

The country's distribution lines has reached 4,34,000 km and system loss come down to 12.19 per cent, per capita generation increased to 433 KWh and access to electricity reached 90 per cent.