Govt plans to import another 100MW power from Tripura

Bangladesh is considering import of another 100 MW of electricity from Palatana power plant in India’s Tripura state, said state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid yesterday. Speaking to journalists at Bidyut Bhaban, Hamid said Manik Sarkar, chief minister of Tripura, held a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard yesterday morning. “At that meeting, they discussed importing another 100 MW from India,” Hamid disclosed, adding that both parties have agreed in principle to import the additional 100 MW to bring power at the same rate—Tk. 6.43 per unit. This is the rate Bangladesh and India agreed on to bring the first 100 MW from the same power plant on Saturday. The state minister said the infrastructure necessary for importing another 100MW has already been laid out. “Tripura has also shown interest, so there is no problem to import the electricity.” Asked why the electricity imported from Tripura costs Tk. 6.43 per unit—slightly overpriced compared to what was anticipated earlier—Hamid replied that it was a win-win situation for both the parties. “When you consider the transmission and distribution scenario, then the price is okay, because in that part of India as well as in Bangladesh, the transmission cost is higher,” he said. Replying to another query that India was supposed to give Bangladesh the electricity at a cheaper rate as the neighbouring country had availed of transit facilities for bringing the necessary equipment for Palatana plant through Bangladesh, Hamid said the tariff rate is not the only thing that has to be taken into consideration. “This electricity import is also being done as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries. Also, if we don't need the electricity for a certain period of the year, we can stop it. That is a big facility,” he pointed out.
Earlier, on Saturday, Nasrul Hamid and officials of the Power Division had sat with an Indian delegation at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital, where issues relating to the 100MW power purchase from the Palatana plant were settled. The import of power is expected to start from February. The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) and the Power Generation Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), both state-owned companies, tested the transmission lines on their respective sides in December last year and found that they were functioning properly. Besides, the process of installing a 47km-long transmission line from western Tripura to southern Comilla has also been completed.

 

Govt plans to import another 100MW power from Tripura

Bangladesh is considering import of another 100 MW of electricity from Palatana power plant in Indias Tripura state, said state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid yesterday. Speaking to journalists at Bidyut Bhaban, Hamid said Manik Sarkar, chief minister of Tripura, held a meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in this regard yesterday morning. At that meeting, they discussed importing another 100 MW from India, Hamid disclosed, adding that both parties have agreed in principle to import the additional 100 MW to bring power at the same rateTk. 6.43 per unit. This is the rate Bangladesh and India agreed on to bring the first 100 MW from the same power plant on Saturday. The state minister said the infrastructure necessary for importing another 100MW has already been laid out. Tripura has also shown interest, so there is no problem to import the electricity. Asked why the electricity imported from Tripura costs Tk. 6.43 per unitslightly overpriced compared to what was anticipated earlierHamid replied that it was a win-win situation for both the parties. When you consider the transmission and distribution scenario, then the price is okay, because in that part of India as well as in Bangladesh, the transmission cost is higher, he said. Replying to another query that India was supposed to give Bangladesh the electricity at a cheaper rate as the neighbouring country had availed of transit facilities for bringing the necessary equipment for Palatana plant through Bangladesh, Hamid said the tariff rate is not the only thing that has to be taken into consideration. This electricity import is also being done as a symbol of the friendship between the two countries. Also, if we dont need the electricity for a certain period of the year, we can stop it. That is a big facility, he pointed out. Earlier, on Saturday, Nasrul Hamid and officials of the Power Division had sat with an Indian delegation at Bidyut Bhaban in the capital, where issues relating to the 100MW power purchase from the Palatana plant were settled. The import of power is expected to start from February. The Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) and the Power Generation Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), both state-owned companies, tested the transmission lines on their respective sides in December last year and found that they were functioning properly. Besides, the process of installing a 47km-long transmission line from western Tripura to southern Comilla has also been completed.