The government has proposed a budget of Tk34,819 crore for Power and Energy sector in the next FY2023-24.
In the current FY2022-23, there was an allocation of Tk26,066 crore in this sector.
“We promised to ensure power and energy security. As a result of expansion of power generation and distribution capacity as per the target, 100% of the population of the country has already been brought under electricity facilities. Power generation capacity has increased from 4,942 megawatts in 2009 to 26,700 Megawatt at present,” said Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal in his budget speech on Thursday.
“Contemplating the increased power demand to achieve high growth targets, we are continuing our efforts to increase production capacity. In order to diversify the use of energy in power generation in addition to setting up gas-based power plants, emphasis is being laid on coal, LNG, liquid fuel, dual-fuel, nuclear power plants and renewable energy-based power generation 135,” said the minister.
Mega-projects are being implemented in power hubs constructed at Payra of Patuakhali district, Maheshkhali and Matarbari areas of Cox's Bazar. Coal-based Rampal 1,320 megawatt Maitree Super Thermal Project (1st Unit) and Payra 1,320 megawatts Thermal Power Plant Project have already started generating electricity. Construction of Matarbari (2x600 megawatt) ultra-super critical thermal power plant is in progress. Besides, 33 power plants with a total capacity of 12,094 megawatt are under construction in public-private joint ventures and contract tradition for setting of 17 power plants with a capacity of 2,416 Megawatt are underway, he said.
Besides, the government has made plans to set up another 34 power plants with a total capacity of 10,443 megawatt, the minister further added.
