The government led by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has played a vital role in ensuring electricity for all in Bangladesh, contributing greatly to the improvement in living standard of the people.
Currently, 99.99 percent people have been brought under electricity coverage in the country.
The power generation exceeds the domestic demand as Bangladesh has now an installed generation capacity of 22,000MW of power.
The government is now working to reach a target to increase the capacity to 60,000MW by 2041.
Power division officials say the thrust that the government is giving to the power sector will enable the country to ensure electricity for all, excluding only some remote areas in CHTs by this year.
According to the power division, the country has witnessed an unprecedented development in the sector, which has been possible for the timely and sustainable planning and initiatives undertaken by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In 2016, a crash programme titled 'Sheikh Hasina's initiative, electricity in every house' was undertaken. Under this project, a target was set to deliver electricity to every household by 2021.
In the efforts to implement the programme, the government is working to provide power to remote Chars (islands). Where the grid power is not reachable, electricity is being provided through solar mini grid, said a power division official.
Power Cell Director General (DG) Mohammad Hosain told the Bangladesh Post that the CHT Regional Council is working to electrify remote areas of the three hill districts -- Rangamati, Khagrachari and Bandarban -- where electricity from the national grid has not reached as yet.
“There are around 30,000 consumers who will get electricity through solar power system. However, it will take some time. Apart from this, all other areas of the country will be 100 percent electrified by next December. We are working on this. Hopefully we’ll reach the target within the stipulated time,” he said.
Mohammad Hosain said the increased electricity coverage has spurred growth in the industrial sector and urbanization leading to a boost in economic growth.
The government’s frantic efforts to ensure 100 percent electricity coverage has enabled the country to reach power to ‘Char Kukri Mukri’, a remote island in Bhola district through submarine cable.
Surrounded by dense forests, the island is isolated from the mainland of the country and its distance is 120 km from Bhola district. The only mode of transport to and from the island is engine0driven boat.
Not only Char Kukri Mukri, the government has provided electricity through submarine cables to several other areas like Sandwip Island and Chars of the Jamuna, which are known to be extremely inaccessible.
Work is underway to deliver power to several other areas through submarine cable, officials said.
According to the power division, apart from boosting economic growth increased power coverage has improved the lives of people in remote villages and created new income-generating opportunities for people.
Officials said that with the development of internet and information technology, people in rural areas are getting more economic opportunities and spread of education is being accelerated while primary health care has reached people's doorsteps.
The light of electricity has not only liberated people from darkness, it is also freeing them from superstition, they said.
Battery-powered vehicles have made transportation easier and cost-effective, the use of electricity in irrigation has increased while poultry and cattle farming have been facilitated in rural areas after electricity reaching there.
State minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid said, ‘A massive development was witnessed in the power sector in the last one decade. Some 99.99 percent people are now under electricity coverage. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made us dream of electricity in everyone’s house and she has made the impossible possible.”
“The rural womenfolk who slept as soon as the sun set are now sewing ‘Katha’ (quilts) until 9 pm. The shops and markets are open until midnight. Electricity has created new opportunities for people to earn. The dream of digital Bangladesh is now a reality due to the supply of electricity,” he added.
According to a study by research institute BIDS (Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies), an increase in power generation by 10 lakh units adds about Tk 4.60 crore to 10.70 crore to the macro economy every year.
According to the BIDS research, the cost of electricity in a diesel-powered irrigation pump stands at Tk 47.18 per unit whereas the same amount of power from the grid costs an irrigation pump only Tk 4.
“Before 2010, the country spent around $100 crore a year on rice imports. Agricultural production has increased due to the provision of electricity in the irrigation system, now there is no need to import rice. In addition, the number of small and medium industries has increased,” said the BIDS study report.
Power Division official said that in 2009, when the AL-led government assumed office, the average power demand was about 6,000 MW while power generation capacity was less than 5000MW.
Eight to ten hours load-shedding in summer days was causing unbearable miseries to people. Now the installed capacity has increased to around 22,000 MW (with imported and renewable power). The number of power plants rose to 146 from 27 while the number of electricity users increased from 1.08 crore to 4.07 crore.
“There has been a lot of improvement in power generation in the country. Our generation capacity surpasses our demand. At this moment, the government must pay attention to the transmission and distribution system to ensure uninterrupted power supply,” energy expert Professor Izaj Hossain told the Bangladesh Post.
