Access to quality and reliable electricity is no more a dream as nearly cent per cent people in Bangladesh are now getting power under the honest, sincere and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Sheikh Hasina, the worthy daughter of Bangabandhu, has successfully implemented the vision of her legendary father Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
After assuming power in 2009, the government formulated a roadmap for the power and energy sector declaring it as a thrust sector with an aim to reach electricity to all households by 2021.
The government has successfully achieved its vision 2021 with generation capacity of 25,235 MW from only 4942 MW in 2009, surpassing the target of 24,000 MW, which also coincides with the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence, reports BSS.
Having a solid foundation in the power and energy sector, the government’s next target is to achieve 40,000 MW by 2030 and 60,000 MW by 2041, when Bangladesh aspires to become a prosperous developed nation.
International Energy Consultant and Expert Khandaker Saleque Sufi said the 2009 to 2021 period was an “era of success” under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as she has changed the entire face of Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is now self-sufficient in food. Access to power has been provided almost to 100 per cent households. Terrorism and anarchy have been successfully contained while all out actions have been launched to curb corruption,” he said.
Saleque said over the last 12 years, the economy has grown at an impressive rate of seven per cent plus, adding, “Bangladesh has been graduated from the least developed country status to a developing one.
Many major infrastructure development projects (Padma Multipurpose Bridge, Bangabandhu Tunnel, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Metro Rail, Elevated Expressway, Matarbari-Moheshkhali power and energy hub, Payra power and energy hub etc) are expected to be completed by 2025.”
He also conveyed his best wishes to the prime minister on her 75th birthday.
“The power and energy ministry has been working under the honest, sincere and competent leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, as the number of power plants rose to 146, of which six are out of operation, while it was only 27 in 2009. The generation capacity reached to 25,235 MW (Including captive), which was 4,942 MW (including captive) in 2009,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told the news agency on Monday.
He said, “Not only this, we are also working to bring all power cables and substations underground. We want to increase the share of power generation from renewable sources to 40 per cent of our production mix by 2050.”
Nasrul said solar power is much better than other renewable energy sources and the government is moving towards rooftop solar and floating solar technology. Besides, net metering system has been introduced to popularise rooftop solar power while there is also an opportunity to generate more with wind power.
“Bangladesh will achieve its complete self-reliance on electricity very soon to bring every house under power supply facilities by 2021,” the state minister said.
According to the ministry sources, the government has allocated Tk 280 billion in 2021-2022 fiscal year in the Annual Development Programme (ADP), which was only Tk 26.77 billion in 2008-2009.
A consumer from Dhanmondi area AZM Sajjad Hossain said that he experienced severe load-shedding before 2009 and now he is getting reliable electricity round the clock.
Sajjad, however, said the present government made tremendous success in the power sector because of the farsighted and capable leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said the era of 2009-2021 is the era of progress and development in the country as the Father of the Nation had dreamt of making Bangladesh as hunger and poverty-free ‘Sonar Bangla’.
The ministry officials said the government is also importing 1,160 MW power from India.
Apart from this, the power sector is very rich in generation, transmission and distribution as it has six generation, one transmission and five distribution entities.
Sustainable Renewable Development Authority (SREDA) is the nodal agency for supporting sustainable and renewable energy development.
From 2009 to till now, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been performing well in all sectors including attaining sound Gross Domestic Product (GDP), attracting foreign direct investment, performing well in industrial, power and energy, education, infrastructure, ICT, communication, railway communication, literacy, cultural, diplomacy, healthcare and other fields.
After assuming power in 2009, Sheikh Hasina, the mother of humanity, won maritime boundary verdicts and resolved long waited enclave problem with India, lunched Bangabandhu Satellite-1 to space, procured vessels for the coast guard, acquired submarines for Bangladesh Navy, helicopter for BGB, Bangladesh air force and aircraft for Bangladesh Biman, locomotives, passenger coaches, wagon, and other equipment for Bangladesh railway, firefighter rescue equipment for Fire Service and equipment for rescuing from natural disaster or calamities.
“Now the ministry is working tirelessly for building “Sonar Bangla” as dreamt by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is pledge-bound to make ‘Digital Bangladesh’ by ensuring access to power for all citizens by 2021,” Nasrul Hamid added.