Staff Reporter:
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid yesterday said energy security will be ensured by providing electricity at competitive prices and dependence on other expensive fuels will be reduced.
He made the remark soon after Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi jointly inaugurated the second unit of Bangladesh-India Maitri Super Thermal Power Plant through vid-eo conference.
“The project will play a role in ensuring Bangladesh’s Grid Stability as well as affordable, quality and uninterrupted power supply,” he said.
Nasrul Hamid said around 1.16 lakh trees have been planted in the project area, while an organization called CEGIS has been appointed to monitor environmental parameters in the vicinity of the project throughout the year.
The Maitree Super Thermal Power Project under Indian Concessional Financing Scheme loan of $1.6 billion, features 1320MW (2×660) Super Thermal Power Plant (MSTPP) located in Rampal in Khulna Division.
The project has been implemented by the Bangladesh-India Friendship Power Company (Private) Lim-ited (BIFPCL), which is a 50:50 Joint Venture company between India’s NTPC Ltd and Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
According to the government decision, programs were activities for socio-economic development of the people surrounding the project area. A fund has been developed for socio-economic and infrastructural development for the people of the project area.
