Govt to generate 9,426 mw of power by 2015

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FE Report
The government has planned to generate 9,426 megawatts (mw) of electricity by 2015, State Minister for Power and Energy Muhammad Enamul Haque said Wednesday.
"This might seem an ambitious target to many under the present context. But we are desperately working to achieve the target," he told newsmen.
After taking office the government has been able to add around 700 mw of electricity to the national grid, said the minister.
"As per the plan an additional 792 mw would be added in 2010, 920 mw in 2011, 1,369 mw in 2012, 1,975 mw in 2013, 1,770 mw in 2014 and 2,600 mw in 2015," he said elaborating the plan.
He said the country would get 2,600 mw of electricity from coal-fired power plants in 2015.
The government would utilise local coal resources overcoming social and political problems, he said.
"We would not do anything against the will of the people," he added.
The minister was speaking at 'Meet the Energy Reporters' at the National Press Club in the city.
The government is pledge-bound to augment electricity generation as the Awami League had incorporated the plan in its electoral manifesto, he said.
We are committed to increasing the overall electricity supply to 5,000 mw by 2011 and 7,000 mw by 2013, he added.
Apart from adding electricity generation the government is working to ramp up gas supply across the country, he added further.
"We have initiated fast-track programme to increase gas output from the state-owned gas fields," he said.
Responding to a query he said the signing of production sharing contracts (PSCs) with US ConocoPhillips and Irish Tullow for three offshore gas blocks is being delayed due to maritime boundary dispute, he added.