ADB approves 200 mln USD to boost usage of electricity in rural Bangladesh

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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the federal government of Bangladesh Tuesday signed agreements for 200 million U.S. us dollars in additional loans, including 130 million U.S. us dollars concessional loan, to improve usage of efficient and reliable power source in rural areas in Bangladesh by strengthening transmission and distribution networks.

The additional loans will scale up the ongoing 616 million U.S. us dollars Bangladesh Power System Improvement and Efficiency Improvement Project, which ADB authorized in 2017.

Fatima Yasmin, Bangladesh's secretary, Economic Relations Division (ERD), and Manmohan Parkash, nation director of ADB found in Bangladesh, remotely signed the bank loan agreements with respect to Bangladesh and ADB, respectively.

Md. Khayrul Hasan, member (Financing), Bangladesh Rural Electrification Plank (BREB), the implementing agency of the project, signed the project arrangement.

"Access to electricity found in rural areas is a prerequisite to improved quality of life, enhanced economic activities, industrial and agriculture efficiency, and essential products and services, such as health care, and education," said Country Director Manmohan Parkash.

"Uninterrupted and reliable electricity supply can expedite financial recovery of the united states from the losses of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic by powering critical activities including foodstuff supply solutions, digital education, internet sites, and essential home activities." Appreciating the government's success in enhancing access to power, Parkash explained, "this project will help Bangladesh achieve its aim of providing power for simply by 2021, and related sustainable development goals."

The additional ADB assistance will finance installing yet another 990 km of 33 kilovolt (kV) and 3,000 km of 11 kV below distribution lines and associated facilities, including 51 units of 33 kV/11 kV substations in rural areas in Khulna division. This will result in increasing electricity usage of 150,000 rural households.

The improved access, top quality, and dependability of the electricity source in rural areas can help reduce household intake of kerosene for food preparation and lighting to lessen household fuel expenditure as well as the burden of home chores; catalyze energy-based economical activities to raise household incomes; and increase the educational and medical environment. Farmers will reduce fuel expenditure for irrigation by switching diesel-driven pumps to electric pumps, which can only help to lessen production costs.

Source: http://www.xinhuanet.com

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