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PM for common power grid in S Asia

UNB, Dhaka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina underscored establishing a common power grid in South Asia to overcome electricity shortage that has emerged as one of the major impediments to rapid development in the region by utilising available prospects.
She pointed out the urgency of regional approach to the common problem at a presentation programme titled 'Making Zero Load Shedding by 2010 and Future Plan for IncreasingPowerGeneration' at her office yesterday.
The concept of Saarc power grid came into focus when in 2003 energy officials of the Saarc member-countries, after a two-day meetingofthe Saarc technical committee on energy, had reached a consensus on setting up a common power grid in the region.
PM's Press Secretary Abul Kal am Azad briefed newsmen after the meeting.
Hasina in the presentation meet directed the power authorities to take immediate steps for gas exploration to increase power generation.
She stressed the need for setting up coal-fired power plants, as coal mining is underway in the country's northern part, to reduce pressure on gas.
The premier further asked the authorities concerned to take measures for modifying and reactivating outworn and abandoned power plants.
“Contact the foreign countries and their experts who helped us in setting up these power plants. We have to increase power generation as we did during our last 1996-2001 tenure," shesaid.
PM described the concept of Independent Power Plant (IPP) as an effective way to add up power to the national grid.
She said IPPs would have to be made popular in mills and factories and other capable institutions.
The government will provide necessary cooperation to those who will come forward to set up small and independent power plants as the government has already adopted a policy on power generation through public-private partnership."
To ensure proper management in rural electrification, Hasina asked the Rural Electrification Board to supply power linesonclusterbasis.
Energy Adviser Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Energy and Power Shamsul Haque Tuku, PM's Principal Secretary MA Karim and Office Secretary Mollah Waheeduzzaman and Power Secretary Abul Kalam Azad were present.