The government has taken an initiative to establish a state-run Operations and Maintenance (O&M) company to improve the power sector and supply reliable electricity.
The move will save approximately 20 percent of the total annual development budget in the power sector, a Power Cell official said.
State minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid said, “We have achieved great success in power generation. Within the Mujib Year, electricity will reach every house. Our main goal now is to provide uninterrupted electricity at affordable prices. We have decided to establish an Operations and Maintenance (O&M) company. GE (General Electric) has already offered us operation and maintenance in the power sector.”
An official said Bangladesh’s power sector has been facing a shortage of construction supervision, installation, pre-commissioning and post commissioning teams to set up new power plants or maintain the old ones. As a result, Bangladesh is now hiring foreign companies at high prices.
The specialized company will be formed with a highly capable engineering team to help prepare complete documentation and lead the process for drawings of all equipment, dismantling and reassessment procedures and re-commissioning procedures. The operations team will conduct minor, combustion, hat gas path, major inspections and lead the process for overhauling power sector facilities.
Energy Expert, Dr Ijaz Hossain told Bangladesh Post, “The initiative is very good, there is no doubt. As our power sector grows, such a company is needed. But I have doubts about how effective it will be because our past experiences are not pleasant. That is why it is important to change our mentality.
Most of the government officials just do their jobs and engage in the pursuit of personal benefits only. We cannot place deserving people in the right place. If everyone is sincere, Bangladesh can benefit a lot from such a company.”
Sources said, the Power Cell has already prepared a position paper to formulate the company. The power division had asked state-owned Ashuganj Power Station Company Ltd to prepare a detailed plan for establishment of the company, the latter failed to submit a concrete plan. Now Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is working on the issue.
Engineer Khaled Mahmood, former BPDB chairman said ‘the State Minister has asked me to do this more than once. But I couldn't do it. Now the process of forming such a company has started.
That's good news. This company is essential to supply reliable power. We can save millions of dollars used for operation and maintenance every year when the new company is formed.”
