The World Bank today approved an additional tranche of $177 million
for Bangladesh’s power sector to increase reliable and low-cost
electricity.
This additional finance will add new power generation capacity and
increase efficient use of its scarce domestic gas supplies, said a WB
press release.
The money will enable completion of the 335MW power plant at
Siddhirganj – what was originally a 330MW plant later stepped up in face
of demand and supply.
“Despite increased power generation capacity, Bangladesh still faces
significant outages during the peak demand hours,” said Martin Rama,
acting World Bank country director for Bangladesh.
Inadequate power supply is affecting families, undermining competitiveness and hindering growth, she said in the press release.
The combined cycle plant, believed to be energy-efficient, will
deliver at least 2.49 billion KWh annually, which accounts for 6 percent
of the total electricity delivered to the national grid.
