e-News® | The NEWS Company…DHAKA, Dec 5, 2015 : The government has set a target to generate 2,000 megawatt (MW) in 2021 and 4,000-MW in 2030 as renewable energy which is 411 MW at present. “The government has already approved policy aimed at ensuring ten percent renewable energy supply to the national power grid by the year 2021,” State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid told #thenewscompany today.
He said the newly formed Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) aimed at promoting sustainable energy and ensure energy security and to reduce carbon emission “Currently 75 percent people are enjoying electricity access due to bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and there is a plan to bring all citizens under power access by 2021,” Hamid said.
The government has a strategy to generate 24,000-MW electricity by 2021. Currently the generation capacity of the country is 14,077 MW, the state minister added. He said the government launched short, medium and long term programmes to increase power supply, adding, “During the last six years Solar Home Systems (SHSs) have been installed to ensure supply of power to 36 lakh rural households.”
According to a ministry source the government is set to establish three new divisions – coal, renewable and independent power producer (IPP)-to ensure smooth implementation of energy projects.
Initiatives have been taken to produce 30-MW power from renewable energy from Dharla, 60-MW from Rangunia, 3-MW from Sharishabari, 55-MW from Gangachhara, 200-MW from Mymensingh, 20-MW from Cox’s Bazar as IPP, while processes are underway to install SHSs at Kaptai, Hatia, Thakurgaon, Ishwardi and Sirajganj. Besides, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) would set up 100-MW SHSs at Sonagazi, RPCL 100-MW, EGCB 100-MW and NOPAJECO 50-MW at different parts of the country.
The government had already invested 5.2 billion us dollars in the power sector from 2009 to 2014 for generating 5,000-MW electricity, while 8.5 billion US dollars more would be needed for 7,000-MW, the source said. As per the government plan, US dollars 24 billion would require for the power sector in 2030, of which US dollars 4.6 billion is confirmed for 1,200-MW coal-fired plant in Cox’s Bazar along with some other projects, it added. The government has a target to bring 90 per cent population under REB (Rural Electrification Board)coverage by 2018 and establish a research council to improve the renewable energy sector in the country.