DHAKA: Bangladesh started importing electricity from India on Friday morning aiming to improve the country’s power crisis situation.

The 50-megawatt electricity will be added to the national grid till September 30 at TK 5 per unit.
Sources said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Indian PM Manmohan Singh will switch on their respective sides of the grid through a teleconference.

Besides, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) managing director Chowdhury Alamgir Hossain said that on October 5, 150 to 175 mw electricity would be imported. And within October 250 mw and on November more 250 mw will be added.

NTPC Vidyut Vyapar Nigam (NVVN), Indian state-run generation utility NTPC`s power trading arm, will supply leftover power from the central pool — after meeting domestic demand — through a special link built by PowerGrid Corporation, sources added.

The electricity supply is expected to improve the power situation in country and help the government justify its friendly policies towards India. The event is also being seen as a precursor to a Saarc grid.

Earlier on January 2010, a 25-year deal was signed between Bangladesh and India during Hasina`s visit to Delhi, for trading of 250 mw of power.

BDST: 1213 HRS, SEP 27, 2013
MR/RS/GCP- eic@banglanews24.com