Nat'l grid to get 1,360-MW addl electricity by March

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An additional 1,360-megawatts (MW) of electricity will be pumped into the national grid by March 2010 to meet the growing demand in the country, as the government is undertaking comprehensive power-production schemes, reports UNB.
Briefing reporters at the Jatiya Sangsad Media Centre about the outcome of Thursday's meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, its chairman Maj General (Retd) Subid Ali Bhuiyan said 960-MW electricity would be added to the national grid within next January while 400-MW by March.
Replying to a question, he said the added electricity would be generated through completion of some plants that started during the last caretaker government and operation of some inoperative plants.
He further said generating 300-MW more electricity is at the final stage of agreement, while yet 200-MW is at the evaluation stage.
"Positive responses have been received for investment in the country's power sector from the UK, the US and Singapore while a government delegation attended road show in London," the head of the committee informed the press.
He said 56 foreigners and 22 non-resident Bangladeshis expressed their interest in making investment in the local power sector.
Subid Ali said a three-member parliamentary sub-committee, headed by Barrister Fazle Noor Taposh, has been formed to examine the amendments to 'The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act 2003' and 'Bangladesh Gas Law 2009'.
He further informed that another sub-committee has been formed with Omar Faruq as its chief to investigate the newspaper-reported allegations of irregularities in electrification in Sylhet region.