Bangladesh
Bangladesh-Nepal Import of hydropower from Nepal is final: Nasrul Hamid
Dhaka, August 28: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said that the import of hydropower from Nepal is almost final. He said this during a courtesy meeting with Pankaj Gupta, regional director of infrastructure for South Asia at the secretariat on Sunday. During this time they discussed various issues related to mutual interest.
Strategic policy dialogue, future engagement and various issues related to power and energy sector portfolio were discussed during the meeting. Import of electricity from Nepal and Bhutan, cross border trade, electric vehicles, renewable energy, lithium battery, lead battery, gas meter, energy security power system update, smart grid, offshore wind power, transmission system, gas pipeline etc. were discussed.
Pankaj Gupta said, "I want to work in various projects in Bangladesh with pleasure. Financing of projects related to energy security, renewable energy, energy efficiency and private financing and participation of private individuals or organizations can be supported." He emphasized on the speedy implementation of the gas metering project.
The state minister shed light on the ongoing and upcoming projects managed by the World Bank and said that power hubs are being built in the southern region. That is why financing of transmission lines and preparation of smart grids is required. Wind mapping is done. About 10,000 MW of electricity generation from renewable sources has been approved. Investment is needed in these sectors. An initiative has been taken to renew the old gas pipe line. We want the World Bank to be on our side on a larger scale. Import of hydropower from Nepal is almost final. We want to build the transmission line from Nepal to Bangladesh. So that we can export electricity to Nepal in winter. The World Bank can help with financing and advice in this regard.
Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarkar, Energy and Mineral Resources Department Additional Secretary Humayun Kabir, Power Department Additional Secretary Nurul Alam, World Bank Energy Practice Manager Simon J. Stolp, World Bank Operations Manager Gail Martin were present during the discussion.
