From the desk of Chairman

Bangladesh, an emerging economy of South Asia, needs electricity growth rate of at least 10% each year to maintain the yearly economic growth more than 7%. At present only 76% of the people have access to electricity. Per capita generation is only 407 kWh.

Electricity is a critical element for enhancing economic growth, poverty reduction and social development. For improvement of the quality of living of the people, development in agriculture and industry sector and for overall development of the economy, demand of electricity is increasing day by day. Considering enormous importance of power,  Government has adopted short, medium and long term plan for power generation to ensure balanced development.

Government has made the most strategic and timely change in the power generation planning in terms of fuel diversity. The change has been made considering existing gas supply shortage, uncertainly of gas supply in future and analyzing primary fuel supply scenarios for future power generation. Efforts are under way to reduce dependence on natural gas for the sake of energy security. Diverse fuel options like liquid fuel, imported and indigenous coal, renewable energy, LNG have been considered in power generation planning up to 2021 and beyond. We are expecting about 18,000 MW generation addition up to 2021.

In line with enhanced regional cooperation, initiative has been taken to exchange power from neighboring countries. Grid interconnection projects with India has been completed and 600 MW of power is now flowing from India to Bangladesh. Efforts are also undergoing to explore options of importing power from neighboring Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan.

 Government has also taken initiative to increase share of power generation from renewable sources. BPDB is providing solar based power to many consumers of remote areas. BPDB implemented Solar Power System at Honorable Prime Minister's Office and BPDB's different offices. Some other projects are also under implementation stages. BPDB has also established three wind power plants at Kutubdia and Feni.

BPDB is also committed to provide quality electricity and trying hard to ensure customer satisfaction.