Full electrification in grid regions by December: Nasrul Hamid

RAJSHAHI, Sept 21: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said on Monday, 'The government of Sheikh Hasina will ensure a balanced distribution of electricity in all areas of the country. 100 per cent electrification will be completed in grid regions of the country by December this year.'

Nasrul Hamid was speaking online as the chief guest at the inaugural function of a Solar Home System set up programme with the own fund of Northern Electricity Supply Company Limited (NESCO) in the off-grid char areas of Rajshahi.

He said, in accordance with the directives of the Prime Minister, the activities of supplying electricity to every house of the country is going on. The measure has also been taken to increase the use of technology aiming to increase the service of electricity consumers. The electricity service will further increase through the use of smart meters, smart grid, SCADA, ERP, sophisticated transformer and subterranean cable system. The villages Char Asariadaha, Char Alatuli, Char Majardiar and Char Khidirpur were electrified through the solar home system on the day. Bangladesh stands first in using the Solar Home system. At present, 5.8 million (58 lakh) solar home systems are used in the country. State Minister directed the distribution companies to increase the consumer service further.

The possible number of electricity subscribers in Char Asariadaha, Char Alatuli, Char Khidirpur and Char Majardiar is 6,500. Of them, 1,572 solar home systems were installed on the day and the rest would be installed gradually.

Presided over by AKM Humayun Kabir, Chairman of Board of Directors of NESCO, the online inaugural function was attended and addressed, among others, by Member of Parliament Md. Ayen Uddin, Secretary of the Ministry of Power Dr. Sultan Ahmed and Managing Director of NESCO Jakiul Islam.