The government has undertaken a master plan to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply across the country and to modernize the power distribution system. According to the plan’s objectives, the nation’s power distribution capacity will be increased by an additional 6,255 MVA by 2031.
On Thursday (April 2), Minister of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, provided this information in response to a written question from Feni-2 constituency’s Member of Parliament, Zainal Abedin.
The Minister stated that currently, a total of 1,834 power substations are operational under six electricity distribution agencies and companies nationwide. Among these, 1,306 are under Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), 187 under Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), 99 under Dhaka Power Distribution Company (DPDC), 97 under West Zone Power Distribution Company (WZPDCL), 60 under Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO), and 85 under Northern Electric Supply Company (NESCO).
Regarding ongoing and future projects for enhancing and modernizing the power distribution system, the Minister informed that the construction of 139 new substations across the country is progressing rapidly. Significant investments are being made particularly to improve the quality of electricity connections in rural areas.
He further added that under BREB, five projects are currently ongoing, and three more projects are awaiting approval. Through the construction of 128 new substations and the upgrade of 76 existing ones, the capacity will be increased by 2,543 MVA. Additionally, the construction of 226 new substations will add another 3,712 MVA capacity. Cumulatively, by 2031, an additional 6,255 MVA in electricity distribution capacity will be developed.
The Minister also informed the Parliament that other agencies are not lagging in modernizing the power distribution system. Work on two new projects has commenced in the Mymensingh and Cumilla zones. In the western region, four projects are currently ongoing, and the process to undertake four more new projects is underway. In the northern region, three projects are ongoing, and one new project is planned.
It is hoped that the implementation of this government’s master plan will significantly reduce power outages across the country and ensure stable electricity supply for both industrial and residential sectors.
