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Power generation hits new high

Capacity now more than 10,000MW which was 4,942MW 5 years ago

Staff Correspondent
Bangladesh is now capable of generating 10,213 megawatts of electricity -- more than a hundred percent jump from its capacity five years back.
However, as some of the power plants are outdated and some running on inadequate fuel supply, the highest singleday power generation still stands at 6,675MW, which was recorded on July 12 this year.
Terming the increased capacity "a golden achievement", the government has decided to celebrate it through holding a national electricity week that begins today with fireworks and laser shows at Hatirjheel in the city.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the week at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre today. She will also lay the foundation stones of seven coal-fired plants and launch the SMS bill payment system of Palli BidyutSamity.
"By December, the capacity will increase by anotherFROM PAGE 16
766MW, adding up to a total much higher than what the ruling 14-party alliance pledged in its election manifesto," said Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu at a press conference in the capital yesterday.
"When our government took over, the electricity production capacity was only 4,942MW. But the capacity has doubled in the last five years under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," he said, reading from a statement.
Noting that the newly achieved power generation capacity was still not enough for a country of 16 crore people, Inu said it was expected to reach 24,000MW by 2021 as the government had undertaken short, medium and long term plans for the power sector.
Since taking office in 2009, the Hasina government had signed agreements on setting up 70 power plants, 37 of which
are already in production, said the information minister.
He claimed the increased powergeneration capacity helped bolster the country's economy. The 41 percent growth in export income in recession-hit 2011 was possible as the readymade garment factories enjoyed uninterrupted sup-ply-
This feat also helped increase food production as adequate power supply could be ensured for irrigation, he added.
"If you ask me to rate the success of the government, I would say the government has achieved a golden A+ in power sector," said Tawfiq-E-Elahi Chowdhury, energy affairs adviser to the prime minister.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Enamul Huq and Power Division Secretary Monowar Islam, ndc, were also present at the press conference.