The government has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with two Indian companies for generating 4,600 megawatt (MW) electricity for meeting the power requirement and ensuring the energy security of the country.
Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) has signed the MoU with Indian Reliance Power Limited and Adani Power Limited to generate 4,600MW electricity by setting up separate power plants at the country's suitable location.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid witnessed the MoU signing ceremony as the chief guest while chairman of parliamentary standing committee of the concerned ministry M Tazul Islam, Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary M Abubakar Siddique and Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam were present.
According to the MoU, Reliance Power Limited, a sister concern of Reliance Group, India, would set up a 3,000MW re-gasified liquefied natural gas based combined cycle power plant at any suitable location in the country, while Adani Power Limited, a sister concern of Adani Group, India, will install a 1,600MW ultra super critical coal based power plant at Moheshkhali or any other suitable location in the country.
Attending the ceremony, the state minister said the government has been working hard to bring the entire country under electricity coverage by the year 2021, as per the Vision 2021.
"Bangladesh is an energy starving country. We need more and more power and energy to address our Vision-2021," he said Nasrul said that the government prioritized strategic goal to diversify primary fuel sources for power generation, enhanced private participation, initiatives have been taken to implement the proposal for power production-sharing through bilateral, tri-lateral and regional cooperation with neighbouring and friendly countries, renewable energy development.
The state minister said the government under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has successfully brought 70 per cent of population under electricity coverage.
Secretary of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) M Zahirul Haque, Samir Kumar Gupta of Reliance Power Limited and Vneet S Jaain of Adani Power Limited signed the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at a function at Bidyut Bhaban in the city.
M Zahirul Haque, secretary of BPDB, Jose Lusi Dago Elora, general manager of Isolux Ingenieria and Sung Ki Na, general manager of Samsung C& T Corporation signed the contract on behalf of their respective sides.
