The number of electricity users in the country has increased three and a half times, and system loss reduced one-third over the past 11 years, leading to overall development of the economy.
Some 97 percent of people are now getting electricity facilities. It is expected that every house will get power supply within the ‘Mujib Barsho,’ according to Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
When the Awami League-led government assumed office in 2009, there was a severe power crisis. At the time, load shedding disrupted people’s lives, and factory production. But the problem no longer exists. The country is now self-sufficient in power generation.
The BPDB said that in 2009, the number of power plants was 27 with a total generation capacity 4,942MW of electricity. Now the number of power plants is 138 and the installed capacity is 20,383 MW, where electricity generation capacity is 19,892MW. Besides, some 365 MW of electricity is being produced through renewable energy and there are captive power plants in different industries capable of generating another 2,800MW electricity.
According to a study by research institute BIDS (Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies), an increase in power generation of 10 lakh units in Bangladesh also has an impact on the macro-economy, adding about taka 4.60 crore to 10 .70 crore to the economy.
When the Awami League government assumed power in January 2009, it formulated a 40-year master plan (Power System Master Plan) for power development. There are detailed plans to connect new users, including power generation. And in 2016, the crash programme 'Sheikh Hasina's initiative, electricity in every house' was taken up.
Under this project, electricity is to be supplied to every household by 2021. However, the power division officials hope that electricity will reach 100% of the people in the country before the stipulated time.
The electricity users were 1 crore 8 lakh in 2009. In the last 11 years, 2.66 crore new customers have got electricity connection, taking the user number to 3.74 crore.
During the time, the government has also supplied electricity to remote villages and chars (shoal areas) outside the national transmission line. It has also increased per capita electricity consumption. According to earlier generation, the per capita electricity consumption was 220 units (kilowatts per hour). Currently it has increased to 512 units.
For the first time in the country, the government has started supplying electricity to Sandwip by laying submarine cables in a 15 km stretch of sea floor. In November last year, electric lights came on in the houses on this isolated island of the country.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said “many governments have changed since the assassination of Bangabandhu. None of them mentioned providing electricity to every house.But only the Sheikh Hasina government has done it. We are going to provide 100% electricity to each house.”
“The country's economic growth has increased as a result of the supply of electricity. Along with the increase in factory production, the lives of people in remote villages have also changed for the better. The rural womenfolk who slept as soon as the sun set, are now sewing ‘Katha’ (quilts) till 9 pm. The shops and markets are open till midnight. Electricity has created new opportunities for people's income. The dream of digital Bangladesh has come true due to the supply of electricity,” he continued.
Nasrul Hamid further said “The people faced load shedding for even up to 11 hours. Now, we have been able to introduce the generator and IPS business. Yes, the people of villages are not getting uninterrupted electricity, sometimes. Many lines were damaged for various natural causes like storms. There are some problems with our distribution and transmission lines. We are also working to solve the problems. Hopefully, very soon all the people of the country will get uninterrupted electricity.”
In 2009, there were 2.34 lakh electricity-run irrigation pumps. Now it has increased to 3.62 lakh. According to BIDS research, the cost of electricity in a diesel-powered irrigation pump is Tk 47.18 per unit, whereas the cost of that for an electricity-run pump is taka 4 per unit.
‘Before 2010, the country spent around $100 crore a year on rice imports. Agricultural production has increased due to the provision of electricity in the irrigation system, now there is no need to import rice. In addition, the industrial and manufacturing sectors have grown due to the ability to ensure power supply. The number of small and medium industries has increased, said the BIDS study.
In addition, the system loss in the power distribution system has also decreased. Earlier than 11 years ago, the loss was 14.33 percent and now it has decreased to 9.35 percent, which also helps reduce cost of the power distribution system. However, the power division is trying to reduce it further.