The government has undertaken a project to renovate and modernise the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) to enhance its capacity.
As part of the government move, the project titled “Renovation and Modernization of existing 33/11 KV Pole Mounted Substation (First Phase) of BREB'” has been proposed in the Planning Commission.
The total cost for its implementation has been estimated at Tk 679.72 crore. Of this, Tk 192.38 crore will be spent from government funds, Tk 477.40 crore from project assistance (KFW) and Tk 9.92 crore from implementing agencies.
If implemented, the project will re-conduct 2,760 km of existing overhead distribution lines. Besides, relevant, quality and uninterrupted power supply will be ensured by enhancing the technical and technical skills of 23 sub-stations under the project.
A planning commission official said a meeting of the Project Evaluation Committee (PEC) was held on June 17 last year after receiving proposals from the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, and several responsible officials of the Planning Commission.
The project has been recommended to be presented at the next meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) in compliance with the recommendations made at the meeting.
If approved, it will be implemented by Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board by February 2026.
According to the project proposal, BREB is working to bring electricity to every household in all the districts of the country (except the three hill districts).
At present the load is increasing rapidly due to the continuous increase in the number of industrial and commercial customers due to the massive expansion of industry and trade in the rural areas.
In order to meet this growing demand, it is necessary to modernise the existing old and dilapidated power lines and substations of BREB.
If the project is implemented, it will be possible to ensure reliable, quality and uninterrupted power supply by increasing the technical capacity of 23 substations in the project area.
According to the Planning Commission's General Economics Department (GED), the Eighth Five-Year Plan aims to ensure efficient, reliable, modern and uninterrupted power services for all by creating an efficient and affordable power generation structure by reducing system losses in power transmission and distribution systems.
If the project is implemented, it will help in fulfilling this goal of the plan.
In this regard, Planning Minister MA Mannan said that if the project is implemented, it will be possible to accelerate the development of socio-economic conditions of rural people by providing safe, uninterrupted and reliable power supply to the project area by increasing the technical capacity of 23 proposed substations.
He mentioned the project will be implemented in the geographical areas of 15 rural power associations located in 14 districts of Dhaka, Chattogram, Khulna and Mymensingh divisions.
The areas where the project will be implemented are: Dohar in Dhaka district, Harirampur in Manikganj, Sreepur in Gazipur, Arai Hazar in Narayanganj and Narsingdi Sadar upazila.
Besides, Kalihati of Tangail district, Tongibari of Munshiganj district, Gazaria upazila, Daudkandi, Homna upazila of Cumilla district, Hathazari of Chattogram district, Feni Sadar Upazila of Feni District, Companiganj upazila of Noakhali district, Khulna upazila of Khulna district, Sharsha and Chougachha of Jessore district, Phulpur and Gauripur upazilas of Mymensingh district will also implement the project.