Bangladesh
Quick Rental Bill passed to run ‘Quick Rental’ for another 5 years
Dhaka, September 16: The bill has been passed in the parliament to run the 'quick rental' power plant for another 5 years. In order to meet the power shortage on an emergency basis, the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2021 was introduced on Wednesday (September 15). A day later, on Thursday (September 16), State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid proposed to pass the bill, which was passed.
The bill was introduced at the beginning of the first term of the present government to extend the term of the special law for running power plants on rent for another five years.
Regarding the purpose and reasons for amending the bill, State Minister Nasrul Hamid said, "According to the Renewable Energy Policy-2006, more projects need to be undertaken quickly to achieve the target of 10 per cent of the country's total electricity generated from renewable energy sources."
The Minister further said, "It is essential to continue the trend of ongoing infrastructural development of the power and energy sector in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, become an upper middle income country by 2030 and a developed country by 2041."
After the Awami League government came to power in 2009, a number of rented and fast rent-based power plants were approved to resolve the power crisis. To do this, the 'Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act’ was enacted in 2010.
Initially, the law was enacted for two years, but was later extended. It was passed again after the cabinet approved the proposal to extend the term for another five years. The term of the law enacted in 2010 has been extended for the last three years till 2021.
After the Awami League came to power in 2009, it started setting up three-year, five-year and 16-year rental (rental and quick rental) power plants as part of an immediate plan to address the power shortage. The new law was enacted to give legitimacy to these rent-based power plants.
