Bangladesh receives $500m to modernise electricity grid

The World Bank has approved $500m to help Bangladesh expand and modernise its electricity grid. 

The Electricity Distribution Modernisation Programme will deliver improved electricity services to about 40 million people in Dhaka and Mymensingh. 

It will upgrade and construct more than 31,000 km of distribution lines, 157 distribution substations and incorporate measures to increase the climate resilience of the network. 

Network investment will also be paired with new and advanced technologies to help modernise the current electricity system. 

The programme will introduce a modern grid system that can support the two-way flow of electricity and information, minimizing and recovering quickly from climate and cyber risks, including natural disasters and extreme weather events.

Dandan Chen, World Bank Acting Country Director for Bangladesh said: ‘In the last decade, Bangladesh achieved a more than fourfold increase in electricity generation capacity and delivered electricity connections to more than 99% of its population.

‘But the electricity distribution network could not keep pace with the remarkable increase in electricity generation. This program will help modernize and ensure climate resilience of the distribution network, which is the backbone of a secure and reliable power system.’

Bipul Singh, World Bank Senior Energy Specialist and Task Team Leader of the programme added: ‘Since 2009, Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) has implemented one of the largest rural electrification programs in the World, delivering access to more than 90 million people. With the access agenda nearing completion, this program will strengthen BREB’s ability to deliver reliable electricity supply and support the energy transition in Bangladesh.’