Energy Bangla

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud has said that the budget has been designed to make the power sector capable of gradually moving away from dependence on subsidies.
Speaking to journalists after visiting the National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC) of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), the minister said that greater allocation has been made to the energy sector because of the need for primary fuel, while the allocation for the power sector has been reduced somewhat compared to the previous year.
The minister said that electricity generation capacity had been expanded without ensuring proper coordination among generation, transmission, and distribution systems. “During the fascist period, the country was flooded with electricity generation capacity. This was done to provide electricity to every household. However, transmission and distribution networks were not expanded in coordination with that growth,” he said.
He blamed weaknesses in the distribution system for the prolonged power outages experienced in many areas despite the country having adequate power generation and transmission capacity. According to Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, people are now paying the price for the previous government’s unplanned expansion of distribution lines.
The minister emphasized that a stable electricity system requires coordinated development of three key segments—generation, transmission, and distribution. However, although the power sector expanded significantly in the past, the lack of integrated planning created major gaps among these sectors.
He said that there is currently no major shortage in the country’s power generation or transmission systems. However, various limitations at the distribution level are disrupting electricity supply in many areas. While such incidents are commonly described as load shedding, in many cases they are actually caused by technical faults and weaknesses in distribution lines.
Iqbal Hasan Mahmud further alleged that although the previous government undertook initiatives to bring electricity to every household, it failed to give adequate importance to technical planning. Ideally, a distribution line should be 30 to 35 kilometers long, but many rural electrification lines have been extended to 90 to 100 kilometers. As a result, weaknesses have emerged in electricity supply systems in various regions.
He said these poorly planned distribution lines are not only creating local supply problems but are also placing pressure on the entire power system, affecting generation, transmission, and overall grid management.
Modern Grid Line for Rooppur
The minister said that electricity generation from the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant is expected to begin in November and that coordination between transmission and distribution networks will be improved before then.
Regarding the Rooppur project, he said preparations are underway to start electricity generation from the plant’s first unit. Although Russia had indicated that power supply could begin in August, additional time is needed to stabilize the overall system. Therefore, the target has been set to fully commission the unit by November.
He added that a modern grid network will be developed to facilitate the integrated use of electricity generated from Rooppur, imported power from India, and electricity produced domestically from oil, gas, coal, and other sources.
Contracts Cannot Be Cancelled at Will
The minister said that power-sector contracts signed during the previous government are currently under review. If any problems are found and there are no legal obstacles, appropriate action will be taken regarding those agreements.
He noted that capacity charge payments have imposed a significant financial burden on the country. However, since many of these contracts are backed by sovereign guarantees, the new government cannot simply cancel them at will. The Ministry of Law is currently reviewing the agreements, and necessary measures will be taken if legal grounds exist.
The minister added that any decision regarding existing contracts must take into account all legal and technical considerations.