The government has decided to go for construction of coal-based power plants from 2014 to phase out costly rental power projects with a view to reducing power generation cost and government subsidy in the sector. This was disclosed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on public undertakings held at Sangsad Bhaban with its chief ABM Ghulam Mostafa in the chair.
The committee was informed that the government subsidy in power sector this year is being projected at more than Tk 4,000 crore as the existing power plants use costly imported oil.
The committee recommended ensuring transparency in setting up quick rental power plants and taking effective measures to realise due power bills from government institutions.
According to a presentation of the of Power Development Board (PDB), the amount of PDB’s due bills from different government institutions exceeds Tk 1,500 crore in the fiscal2009-2010.The presentation said there will be no load-shedding from 2013 as power generation and its demand will be equably that time.
Briefing reporters, the committeevchairman said the government has signed agreements to set up 43 power plants invthe last two and a half years, and almost all the plants will be set up by2014.
He said power generation has increased by 2,200 megawatts since this government assumed power in early 2009and steps have been taken to produce another 2,000 megawatt power by 2012-13.
Moinuddin Khan Badal told reporters that the decision to install quick rental power plants were taken to reach quick and easy power service to people but questions have arisen from different quarters to construct quick rental power plants even after giving huge subsidy by the government to it, he added. Committee members-Biren Shikder,Sk Abu Bakar and Moinuddin Khan Badal attended the meeting.
Source : Energy Bangla
