Bangladesh sought an additional 100 megawatt (MW) of electricity from Tripura's Palatana power plant after getting New Delhi's commitment of supplying 100 MW of power, State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid told the FE Monday.
"We have sought an additional 100 MW of electricity on top of the already pledged 100 MW during the inaugural function of the Palatana's second unit having the generation capacity of 363 MW," he said over telephone on his way home after taking part at the ceremony.
If approved by the Indian authority, Bangladesh will get a total of 200 MW of electricity from the 726 MW Palatana power plant located in northwestern Bangladesh.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the chief guest at the inaugural function of the second unit of the Palatana power plant in Tripura Monday.
"The Indian Prime Minister has assured us of extending all-out support improving Bangladesh's electricity sector," Mr Hamid said.
Bangladesh will be able to start importing the initial 100 MW of electricity within the next six months, he hoped.
Bangladesh helped significantly to install the Palatana power plant allowing ensuring smooth passage of heavy project equipment and turbines to the site through its territory by road and waterways from Haldia port of West Bengal.
Speaking on the occasion, Tripura chief minister Manik Sarkar lauded the Bangladesh government for facilitating setting up of the Paltana power plant. He also sought access to Chittagong and Ashuganj ports for facilitating carrying of goods.
Top officials and engineers of state-owned Power Grid Corp of India Ltd (PGCI), Central Electricity Authority, Tripura State Electricity Corp Ltd, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) already held a series of meetings to finalise the technicalities to supply the power to Bangladesh.
A 24-kilometre (km) new transmission line will be required to be set up in the Indian side and a 27-km one in the Bangladesh side to ensure electricity import from Tripura.
State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) of India has commissioned its biggest-ever 726 MW capacity gas-fired commercial power project at Palatana in southern Tripura, 60km south of Agartala.
Supplying power from Tripura to Bangladesh will be similar to the already functioning system between West Bengal's Baharampur and Bheramara in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh has been importing around 450 MW of electricity from India since last year.
The country is also in talks for building a second electricity gridline to import an additional 500 MW more electricity from India and setting up of a joint venture hydropower plant in northeast India.
Prime Minister's energy affairs advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury was also present at the inauguration of the second unit of the Palatana power plant in Tripura.
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