Nasrul urges AIIB to invest in gas transmission, distribution

Terming Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) as a development partner, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Tuesday said that the AIIB can invest more in gas pipeline projects, underground transmission lines, modernization of distribution lines, renewable energy, gas meters and storage systems in Bangladesh.

“Huge investment opportunity is also in wind fuel, as we want to ensure quality and uninterrupted electricity at affordable price,” he said while talking with AIIB Vice Chairman Rajat Misra at his ministry office.

Nasrul Hamid said that the government is working to increase per capita power generation to 1,500 kilowatt hour, which is now 602 kilowatt hour, adding, “We want the AIIB will be a large scale development partner.”

During the meeting, they discussed various issues related to mutual interest.

The AIIB Vice Chairman said, “Bangladesh is one of the partners of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.

About the Energy Master Plan and Rooppur transmission line system, she said the AIIB is working in development of distribution system.

According to the AIIB, Power Grid System of Bangladesh has been implementing four projects with AIIB financing of $956.41 million. It has also a proposal for six projects worth $3,068 million.

Energy Specialist of AIIB Haribhaskar Rangarajan and Senior Transport Specialist Farhad Ahmed, Energy Division Additional Secretary Md Humayun Kabir and Additional Secretary of Power Division Tania Khan were present in the meeting.

Source: BSS