Tk 4,237cr subsidy given to buy electricity

The government has given over Tk 4,237 crore subsidy to buy electricity from quick rental power plants in 14 months, M Enamul Haq, state minister for power, energy and mineral resources, told parliament yesterday.
Replying to lawmakers' queries, the state minister said of the total subsidy outlay, Tk 3,028 crore was given during 2010-11 financial year while the rest in July-August of the current fiscal year.
In another reply, Enamul informed the House that as many as 16 quick rental power plants have been set up in the private sector, which are generating 1,353 megawatt of electricity. Another four quick rental power plants set up in the public sector are producing 228 MW.
“The process of setting-up of another 27 quick rental power plants is underway with a total generation capacity of 3,666 megawatt,” he said adding that the government had to go for three to five-year long high-cost liquid fuel-based quick rental power plants on an emergency basis to meet the power crisis.
About gas exploration, the minister said that the government will take effective measures in near future to explore gas in the identified hilly areas including Patia of Chittagong.
“Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (Bapex) in association with Sinopec Shengli Longwoods Consortium placed a proposal for searching mineral resources at four places of Chittagong Hill Tracts,” he said, adding “The proposal is now under consideration of the government.”
On establishing new CNG stations, Enamul said the previous government gave permission to set up CNG stations without any feasibility study. That is why CNG stations were built haphazardly in the capital.
“The present government is not giving permission to set up any new CNG station. Besides, we are also discouraging people from constructing any new CNG station,” he added.
The state minister for power also informed the House about the government's short-, mid- and long-term plans to increase power and gas production.