The country currently generates an average of 14,500MW to 15,000 MW of electricity daily based on demand, with total power generation capacity standing at 32,332 MW, Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku told parliament on Thursday.
The minister disclosed the information in a written response to a question from Member of Parliament Reza Ahammed during the seventh day of the first session of the 13th National Parliament.
Of the total capacity, grid-based power generation accounts for 28,919MW, Tuku said.
To keep pace with rising electricity demand, the government has undertaken several measures, including prioritising the power sector, diversifying fuel for power generation, ensuring primary fuel supply, and formulating a 180-day action plan aligned with the election manifesto, he added.
Short, medium, and long-term plans are being formulated and implemented for power generation, while transmission and distribution infrastructure is being developed in coordination with generation, the minister said.
Campaigns using leaflets and videos are being conducted to increase consumer awareness about energy savings, along with holiday staggering and demand-side and supply-side management, he added.
The government is also emphasising renewable energy, ensuring necessary financing in the Annual Development Programme, and implementing power projects on time through close monitoring, Tuku said.
Modernisation of distribution system
Responding to a question from Feni-2 MP Zainal Abedin Faruk, the energy minister said there are currently 1,834 power substations across the country under various distribution companies.
Of these, BPDB has 187, BREB has 136, DESCO has 60, DPDC has 99, WZPDCO has 97, and NESCO has 85.
As part of the modernisation drive, new line construction, upgrading of old dilapidated lines and substations, installation of underground distribution lines, and implementation of SCADA, GIS, and smart grids are underway, Tuku said.
Using the extensive optical fibre network laid on power transmission lines, one of the country’s largest state-of-the-art digital communication networks has been created, connecting all power facilities to NLD’s SCADA system, he added.
A common Standard Operating System (SOP) has also been formulated for power sector organisations to prevent accidents and ensure workplace safety, the minister said.
Capacity enhancement
Construction of 139 new substations is ongoing across six power distribution companies. Under BREB, five projects are ongoing and three are awaiting approval, which will add 2,543MVA and 3,712MVA of capacity respectively, Tuku said.
By 2031, total capacity is expected to increase by 6,255MVA, he added.
