Dhaka: The government has been implementing a series of measures to reduce system losses and maintain stable electricity tariffs. ‘If we are able to reduce system losses in the electricity, then we will be able to keep power tariff stable,’ Power, Energy and Mineral Resources minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Mahmood was speaking at the installation ceremony of the Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh executive committee at the power and energy ministry’s conference room. He highlighted that with transmission and distribution losses estimated around 10 percent, the power sector incurs a financial burden of Taka 50 lakh for every one percent system loss.
In response to a query, the minister revealed that the government is planning an aggressive strategy to ensure the availability of gas in the country, noting that no gas wells have been dug over the past 15 years.
Mahmood also mentioned that during the BNP government’s tenure, a power generation policy was formulated which planned for 35 percent of electricity to come from the private sector and 65 percent from the government sector.
He further added, ‘I’ve a schedule to meet the Honourable Prime Minister and inform her about the current power and energy situation in detail, aiming to overcome the situation.’
Earlier in the event, the minister congratulated the newly elected executive committee and presented crests to FERB’s outgoing chairman Shamim Jahangir, elected Chairman Azizur Rahman Ripon, and elected executive director Shirajul Islam. The ceremony was moderated by Shirajul Islam, the FERB executive director.