Hasina plans to buy electricity from India

DHAKA - Purchasing 500 MW power from India and setting up ten new power plants to generate another 1,000 MW tops Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s agenda, a media report said Monday.

The government is reportedly poised to sign up to 10 contracts by May 31 to deliver up to 1,000 MW power. It will be enough to light up half of the populous national capital, The Daily Star said.

Power shortages faced by consumers, farmers and factories have led to street protests.

Most of the projects would take almost three years to complete, except for two large coal power plants that will begin operation in early 2015.

In three years, the move will well cover the power gap including the anticipated growth in demand.

The contracts will require more than a $5 billion investment.

At a ceremony to lay the foundation stone for a 150 MW plant in Chandpur Sunday, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said her government will try to import electricity through regional cooperation with countries throughout Asia.

“The present government has taken effective steps to import electricity on an urgent basis from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and China,” the United News of Bangladesh (UNB) news agency quoted her as saying.

“We are aware of your sufferings. Let me assure you this government will not leave any stone unturned to increase power and gas production.”