The interim government is set to launch a Tk 4,131 crore power transmission infrastructure project to facilitate the evacuation of 1,445 MW of planned renewable power from the southern region of Chattogram by 2030.
The “Power Transmission Strengthening and Integration of Renewable Energy” project of the Power Grid Bangladesh PLC will be tabled at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) on Saturday, Planning Commission sources said.
The transmission line alongwith new powerfull substations will navigate through 25 upazilas of the 14 districts under six divisions—Chattogram, Sylhet, Dhaka, Khulna, Barishal and Rajshahi.
In addition to facilitating evacuation of reneable energy-based power, the move is expected to curtail the country’s carbon footprint, while contributing to seamless supply of quality electricity to rural areas.
The Prof Muhammad Yunus led interim government has step up efforts to improve transmission line and replace the old substations to ensure uninterrupted power supply across the country and cut systel losses.
In a bid to lower its carbon footprint, Bangladesh is trying to lower dependence on fossil-fuel based power by enhancing the use of solar, wind and other renewable energy-based electricity.
A study conducted by the US-based National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has identified Chattogram’s Southern region –especially Cox’s Bazar’s Pekua, Chakaria, Matarbari, Maheshkhali and Teknaf—as the potential sites for renewable power generation.
A total of 1,790 MW of power is exected to come from the upcoming renewbale energy-based power plants being implemented with the government and private initiaitves. A safe and reliable power evacuation infrastructure is equally seen important to supply the power to the national grid.
To facilitate the transmission nationally and local use, the Power Grid company has proposed to set up a powerfull 400kv substation at Pekua, Cox’s Bazar under the scheme. Moreover, two 230kv and seven 132kv substations will be constructed as well as the existing system in the project area can not ensure quality power because of long-distance 33kv transmission lines.
Additionally, 148km new 132kv transmission lines will be constructed and low-capacity conductors will be replaced with new conductor in another 75km existing lines apart from setting up 13.50km 400kv and 7.2km 230kv new lines. The project has a provision for acquiring 41 acres of land and construction of 10 bay expansioin facilities.
Of the proposed project cost of Tk 4,131.42 crore, Tk2,440 crore has been estimated to come from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as loans, Tk 1,056.10 crore loans from the government and Tk 635.32 crore will be borne by Power Grid Bangladesh Plc.
The Economic Relations Division (ERD) has completed loan negotiation for US$200 million loan for it on 15 April 2025, but is yet to sign any laon agreement, which will be done after the project approval by the Planning Commission, the commission sources said.
“The project has been recommended for Ecnec approval as the project, if implemented, will help evacuate the planned 1445MW renewable power from Chattogram’s souther region. Not only that, it will also contribute to lowering the country’s carbon footprint and ensure the supply of uninterrupted and quality electricity in rural areas,” said Md Ruhul Amin, Member of Industry and Energy Division, Planning Commission.
Besides this project, the Ecnec is also expeted to a project called “Grid Power Evacuation System Development for WZPDC,” aimed at improving transmission in the country’s west zone. It will be implemented by June 2028 at an estimated cost of Tk 540 crore.
Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) has emphasized enhancing reliability of power supply system. It has identified the higher averge length of the transmission lines as the major cause of system losses for WZPDC and BREB.
The proposed scheme eyes to lower the length by setting up 11 new 33kv switching stations at 11 different places. It eyes to cut the state-run company and BREB’s system loss by 1 percent.
