Bangladesh state minister for power, energy and mineral resources Mr Mohammad Enamul Huq has recently told parliament Asian Development Bank is willing to finance a 10 to 20 MW capacity Solar Thermal Power Plant inside Kaptai Hydro-electric Plant.

The minister disclosed this in response to a question of Nasimul Alam Chowdhury during the question-answer hour in Jatiya Sangsad chaired by Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali in absence of BNP-led opposition.

Mr Enamul Huq in reply to a supplementary question said that the government is attaching priority to alternative energy resources like LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas), coal and other fuels due to shortage of natural gas for setting up of power plants by IPP (Independent Power Producers).

To another supplementary question of Abdul Mannan, the minister replied that the government under its Wet and Dry system will give power connection gradually to 800 deep tube-wells in the Barind Multipurpose Irrigation Project from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am during the ongoing farming season to get a better yield of crops.

Responding to a scripted question of HM Golam Reza, the minister disclosed that nearly one million electric connections have been given over the past two years of the government which included 234,243 connections in the areas under Power Development Board, 713,726 in Rural Electrification Board, 48,784 in Dhaka Power Distribution Company, 53,801 in DESCO and 46,582 connections in West Zone Power Distribution Company.

He added that against a total demand of 7000 MW per day, 4500 to 4600 MW electricity could be produced in the country. Despite the generation shortfall, the minister claimed that the government has taken initiative to supply electricity during the ongoing irrigation season from 11:00 pm to 7:00 am for enhanced food production.

(Sourced from www.energybangla.com)