Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday said every house in the country has now come under electrification as she announced 100 per cent electricity coverage with inaugurating 1,320MW Payra Thermal Power Plant, the largest of its kind.
"It’s a big deal that we have been able to illuminate everyone’s house," she said at a function in Payra.
With the inauguration of the coal-fired Payra power plant with eco-friendly Ultra-Supercritical Technology, Bangladesh has achieved another milestone implementing the government's pledge to bring 100 per cent people under electricity coverage by "Mujib Borsho" which is going to end on March 31.
The prime minister called March a month of achievement of Bangalees, saying that her government has been able to start operating the power plant this month while the nation is observing the "Mujib Borsho" marking the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the golden jubilee of the country's independence.
“Through inaugurating the power plant today, the journey towards light has started,” she said.
The prime minister said that the power plant is a gift for the nation ahead of the holy Ramadan and Eid-ul-Fitr.
Sheikh Hasina thanked the Chinese president and the prime minister for their cooperation in setting up the power plant.
The prime minister, in-person, visited the district for the first time to open the power plant since Bangladesh likewise the world has been rattled with the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.
ALSO READ: PM opens Payra power plant, declares full electricity coverage of Bangladesh
The Payra power plant was built on 1,000 acres of land at a cost of $2.48 billion next to the Ramnabad River at Kalapara upazila of the southern Patuakhali district.
Bangladesh has become the 13th country in the world in using ultra-supercritical technology to produce power.
The first 660MW unit of the power plant went into commercial operation in May 2020, utilising the 400kV Payra-Gopalganj Power Transmission, while the second one started operation in December 2021.
Apart from the 1,320MW thermal power plant, construction work of another power plant is underway. The government also has a plan to build another 1,320MW power plant and a solar system power plant in Payra.
The Payra Thermal Power Plant was developed by Bangladesh China Power Company Limited (BCPCL), a 50:50 joint venture between the China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC) and Bangladesh's state-owned North-West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL).
Bangladesh-China Power Company (Pvt) Limited and Consortium of NEPC & CECC signed the EPC contract on March 29, 2016 to implement the Payra 1,320MW Thermal Power Plant Project in the fastest possible time.
Bangladesh is now ahead of India and Pakistan, the two South Asian countries that have brought 98 per cent and 74 per cent of their population under the electricity network, according to data from the World Bank.
The power generation capacity of Bangladesh has rocketed to 25,514MW in February 2022 from 4,942MW in January 2009. Of them, 1,160MW of electricity is being imported and 19,626MW is being locally produced.
In 2009, only 47 per cent of the population had access to power. Per capita power generation has increased from 220kWh to 560kWh and distribution losses of electricity have been reduced by 5.85 per cent.
Electricity has been provided to the local chars Sonarampur, Ashuganj, Rangabali, Monpura, Sandwip, Hatia, Nijhum Island and Kutubdia through submersible cables.
The prime minister released 1,320 pigeons, the symbol of peace, after unveiling the nameplate of the 1,320MW power plant and went around the central control room of the plant.
Earlier, a guard of honour was given to the prime minister on her arrival at the helipad adjoining the Payra Thermal Power Plant.
Later, 200 fishermen boats decorated with various colours welcomed Sheikh Hasina by waving flags and playing songs as soon as the prime minister arrived at the coal jetty.
A festive mood has been permeating the areas from the tourism spot Kuakata to the Payra power plant and their neighbourhoods which got a facelift with various eye-catching things.
ALSO READ: 70.2 lakh prepaid electricity metres to be set up in 2023-24
PM's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, Secretary of the Power Division of the ministry Md Habibur Rahman, and Ambassador of China to Bangladesh Li Jiming spoke on the occasion.
Director General of BCPCL AM Khurshedul Alam gave the welcome address.
An audio-video presentation on the progress of the power sector and the Payra Thermal Power Plant was also screened on the occasion.
The ministry presented the prime minister a memento while a song titled "O jonaki ki shukhe oi dana duti melechho (On what ecstasy, oh fire fly, spread up those twin wings)" dedicated to Sheikh Hasina was played.
