Regional cooperation will play an important role in ensuring equitable distribution of power supply. State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said the cross-border power trade would save the environment and also be economically viable.
He made the remarks at a virtual workshop on "Cross Border Power Trading" jointly organized by the US State Department's Bureau of Energy Resources and Dilrat on Thursday (February 11).
The state minister said Bangladesh attaches special importance to regional and sub-regional power and energy cooperation. Already 1160 MW of electricity is being imported from India. The process of importing 500 MW of electricity through Nepal is almost final. Negotiations are underway with Bhutan. The Power System Master Plan of Bangladesh also has instructions to import 15% electricity through cross border trade i.e. 9000 MW electricity by 2041.
The State Minister further said that Bangladesh has continued and will continue its efforts to enhance regional cooperation.
Power Secretary Md. Habibur Rahman, Deputy Chief of Mission of the US Embassy in Bangladesh Ms. Juan Wagner and Director General of the Power Cell Mohammad Hossain, among others, spoke on the occasion.