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Bangladesh Power Development Board
| বাংলাদেশ বিদ্যুৎ উন্নয়ন বোর্ড [बांलादेश बिद्युत् उन्नय़न बोर्ड [a 1] Bānlādēśa bidyuṯ unnaẏana bōrḍa] | |
| File:Bangladesh Power Development Board Logo.svg Seal of Bangladesh Power Development Board | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1972 |
| Jurisdiction | Government of Bangladesh |
| Headquarters | Wapda Building, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Agency executive | |
| Parent department | Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources |
| Website | www |
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is a governmental body functioning under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of the Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Established as a public-sector entity in 1972 following Bangladesh's independence, its primary aim is to enhance the country's power sector. This organization is tasked with the planning and development of the national power infrastructure, as well as managing a significant portion of the power generation facilities. The BPDB plays a key role in generating and distributing electricity, primarily in urban regions across the country.
Engr. Md. Rezaul Karim currently serves as the chairman of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB). The board consists of members and directors drawn from the Bangladesh Administrative Service, as well as various other cadres of government services. This structure ensures a diverse representation of expertise and experience within the organisation.
History[edit | edit source]
Following the establishment of Pakistan, the government formed the Electricity Directorate to advance the country's power sector. In 1957, this directorate took control of all private power stations and transmission lines across the nation. The East Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (EPWAPDA) was established in 1958 to manage the power sector more effectively in what was then East Pakistan.
In 1960, EPWAPDA merged with the Electricity Directorate, incorporating all its assets. During this period, the Chattogram, Khulna, and Shiddhirganj power stations were constructed, with Shiddhirganj being the largest at that time, boasting an installed capacity of 10 MW. The Karnafuli Hydropower Station in Kaptai began operations in 1962, featuring two units of 40 MW each, making it the largest power plant in the country at that time. That same year, the first long-range transmission line was built, linking Kaptai to Shiddhirganj via a 273 km long 132 kV transmission line.
After Bangladesh gained independence, WAPDA was separated by Presidential Order 59 (PO-59), leading to the creation of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) with an initial installed generation capacity of 500 MW. Subsequently, the Rural Electrification Board (REB) and the Dhaka Electric Supply Authority (DESA) were formed, which divided responsibilities with BPDB. In 2000, the transmission lines were transferred to the newly established Power Grid Company of Bangladesh. Currently, BPDB serves as the parent company for several entities, including Ashuganj Power Station Company Ltd, Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited, Power Grid Company of Bangladesh, Electricity Generation Company of Bangladesh, North West Power Generation Company Limited, North West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited, and West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited.
On 04 October 2022, approximately 70-80% of the country’s 16.8 crore residents experienced blackouts, with only 45% having their power restored by nightfall. This crisis was attributed to a shortage of natural gas, exacerbated by the ongoing global energy crisis that began in 2021, which left 77 natural gas power plants without sufficient fuel to meet demand. The electricity sector in Bangladesh heavily relies on natural gas, and the government ceased purchasing liquefied natural gas (LNG) at spot prices in June 2022, reducing their spot market imports from 40% the previous year to 30%. However, LNG is still being imported through futures exchange markets.