Power Sector Structure

Power Division is responsible for formulating policy relating to power and supervise, control and   monitor the developmental activities in the power sector of the country.

Office of the Electrical Advisor & Chief Electric Inspector and Energy Monitoring Unit.

The office of the Electrical Advisor and Chief Electrical Inspector (EA & CEI) is established, in order to ensure proper control and safety of life and property in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity. Main responsibility of this office is to inspect installations, substation and lines and grant license for high tension and medium tension consumers. Besides, it issues license to electrical contractors, engineers and electricians. Energy Monitoring Unit is a sub-unit under this office. The objective of EMU is to ensure efficient use of energy in industries and to induce energy conservation.

Power Cell

Power Cell was established in 1995 to assist Power Division in order to design, facilitate and monitor reform measures in power sector. It acts as Think Task to Power Division. Since inception, Power Cell has played vital role in reforming and unbundling the sector, private power generation, power tariff evaluation and establishing regulatory commissions. Power Cell is headed by a Director General, appointed by the Govt. and assisted by three Directors.

Power Generation:

The following government entities are involved in generation of power:

1.                  Bangladesh Power Development Board. (BPDB)

2.                  Ashuganj Power Station Co. Ltd (APSCL)

3.                  Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Ltd. (EGCB)

4.                  Rural Power Company Ltd. (RPCL)

5.                  North West Power Generation Company Ltd. (NWPGCL)

6.                  Independent Power Producers (IPPs)

Power Transmission:

              Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB)

Power Distribution:

The following entities are involved in power distribution:

1.              Bangladesh Power Development Board. (BPDB)

2.              Rural Electricity Board (REB)

3.              Dhaka Electric Supply Co. Ltd (DESCO)

4.              Dhaka Power Distribution Co. Ltd. (DPDC)

5.              West Zone Power Distribution Co. Ltd (WZPDCL)

6.              North West Zone Power Distribution Co. Ltd (NWZPDCL)

7.              South Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (SZPDCL)

Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)

Bangladesh Power Development Board was established in 1972 as a public sector organization to boost the power sector. BPDB is the authority for planning, construction and operation of power generation through out Bangladesh and for distribution in urban areas. Besides its own generation, BPDB purchases power from other generating companies and sells to its consumers and other distribution companies. BPDB consists of a chairman and six members appointed by the Govt.

            More: www.bpdb.gov.bd.

Rural Electrification Board (REB)

Rural Electrification Board was established in 1977 as a semi autonomous government agency. It is responsible for electrification in rural areas. As of today, there are 70 operating rural electricity co-operatives called Palli Bidyuit Samity (PBS), which bring service to approximately 79,00,000 connections. REB has expanded its distribution networks significantly in past years and has thus made immense contribution in increasing agricultural products and rural development. REB consist of a Chairman, four full time members appointed by the government and four part time members nominated from relevant departments.

            More: www.reb.gov.bd

Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB)

Power Grid Company of Bangladesh is a public limited company registered under companies Act and incorporated in November, 1996 with an authorized capital of Tk. 10 billion. It is entrusted with the responsibility to operate the national power grid and to develop and expand the same with efficiency. PGCB has taken over all transmission assets from BPDB and DESA on 30.12.02.

            More: www.pgcb.org.bd

Ashuganj Power Station owned by APSCL is the second largest power station in the country. At present, the total capacity of its 8 units is 642 MW. It fulfills about 15% of loads throughout the country. APSCL is a public limited company registered under companies Act. It was incorporated on 28 June 2000.

            More: www.apscl.com

Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Ltd (EGCB)

Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh Ltd (EGCB) is incorporated with Register of Joint Stock Companies on February 16, 2004. It has existing power plants at two sites, namely Siddirganj 210 MW Power Station and Haripur 100 MW Power Station (to be over hundred soon). One unit of 2x120 MW peaking power plant is launched on February 2010. EGCB Board of Director consists of Chairman and nine members.

            More: www.egcb.com.bd

Rural Power Company Ltd (RPCL)

Rural power company Ltd is the first Bangladeshi Independent Power Producer (IPP). RPCL is registered as a public limited company under companies Act and is incorporated on 31 December 1994. Its entire equity investment is mobilized locally. Rural Electrification Board (REB) owns 20% share and rest 80% owned by 9 Palli Biddyut Samity (PBS). Mymensingh Power Station (MPS) is one of its power generation plants with capacity of 210 MW power. This company has a plan to establish some other installations to different parts of the country.

            More: www.rpcl.org.bd

North-West Power Generation Company Ltd (NWPGCL) is an enterprise of Bangladesh Power Development Board, intends to establish three power plants at different locations in North-Western Zone of Bangladesh. Its vision is to generate more electricity to meet the present shortfall and the growing future demand of electricity in the country. Present demand at north western zone is 900 MW. Present generation capacity is 600 MW. Proposed power plant of NWPGCL is:

1.    Sirajgonj 150MW peaking power plant project-Expected to be commissioned by December 2011.

2.      Khulna 150MW peaking power plant project-Expected to be commissioned by December 2011.

3.      Bheramara 360MW Combined Cycle Power Development Project- Expected to be commissioned by September 2015.

Dhaka Electric Supply Co. Ltd (DESCO)

Dhaka Electric Supply Co. Ltd (DESCO) is the first electric distribution company, registered under companies Act, 1994, and established on November,1996. Its distribution comprises 220 sq. kms. of Dhaka Mega City area namely, Mirpur,Pallabi, Kafrul, kalyanpur, Cantonment, Gulshan, Banani, Uttara, Uttarkhan, Dakkhinkhan, Badda, Baridhara and Tangi. DESCO Board of Directors consists of Chairman and 9 members.

More: www.desco.org.bd

Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC)

Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC) is registered on the 25 October, 2005 and has started its function as company from July, 2008. DPDC distribution area comprises 350 sq. kms of Dhaka and Narayanganj. DPDC Board of Directors consists of Chairman and 10 members.

More: www.dpdc.org.bd

West Zone Power Distribution Co. Ltd (WZPDCL)

West Zone Power Distribution Co. Ltd (WZPDCL) is registered on 4 November, 2002. WZPDCL is responsible for electricity distribution in 21 districts of Khulna and Barisal Division and greater Faridpur District. It has started its function from March, 2005.

More: www.wzpdcl.gov.bd

North West Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (NWZPDCL) is registered on August 3, 2005. Its distribution area is entire Rajshahi Division. It has not started its operation as yet.

South Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (SZPDCL)

South Zone Power Distribution Company Ltd (SZPDCL) is established on 6 May, 2008. It has not started its operations as yet.

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC)

Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) was established in April,2004 under an Act. BERC frames rules and regulation to ensure transparency in the management, operation and tariff determination in Electricity, Gas and Petroleum sector. The commission protects consumers and industry interest and promotes competitive market. It is an independent autonomous organization. The commission consists of a Chairman and 5 members.

More: www.berc.org.bd