The government has planned to further extend the power transmission lines by 36,870 kms across the country by 2041, when production of electricity is projected to reach 60,000MW.
Several officials at the Power Division said: "Of the total grid transmission lines, 16,655 kms will be of 132kV while 9,717 kms of 230kV, 1,740 kms of 400kV and 796 kms of 765kV," reports UNB. Of this, 132kV transmission lines are 7,082 kms while 230kV 3,343 kms and 400kV lines are 698 kms.
Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain said the government has now been putting additional focus on developing the transmission sector following increase in the power generation.
The country's power generation capacity crossed the landmark of 20,000MW recently, while highest power generation was recorded at 11,623MW on September 19.
But still many areas of the country, especially rural regions, frequently face blackout and power disruption because of the shortcomings in transmission and distribution systems.
The government's fund crisis is mainly blamed for the lack of expected advancement of the transmission sector.
Admitting the weakness and the fund crunch, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid recently urged the private sector investors to invest in the power transmission business.
He said the country will require $80 billion for the development of the country's power sector by 2041, of which a major portion will be required for the transmission sectoralone.
"The country has so far received about $14-billion investment in the power sector of which a major part came from local and foreign direct investment (FDI) under private sector power generation policy," he said, adding that, now the government wants the private sector to invest in the transmission sectoras well.
Of the total power generation, some 8,845MW of electricity is developed by public sector while 6,897MW by the private sector and 1,160MW of electricity is being imported from India, reveals Power Cell statistics.
The remaining 2,800MW of power is being generated by captive operators in the industrial sector while 250MW generated from renewable energy.
Many experts believe the country will not be able to provide reliable and quality power supply until the transmission system is developed up to a certain mark.
Munawar Moin, senior vice president of Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), said there should be a smart grid system so that solar power could be integrated into the system.
