Staff correspondent :

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said Bangladesh and India have great opportunity to work together for development of power and energy sector.

“We want to import 9,000MW electricity from neighbouring countries. Progress for importing hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan is well advanced,” he told Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma at his ministry office.

The Indian High Commissioner today paid a courtesy call on Nasrul Hamid.

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

Nasrul hamid said the agreement to import 40MW of hydropower from Nepal is likely to be signed next month.

Import of 500MW of hydro power through GMR is also almost final, he said, adding, “Import of electricity from renewable sources is also progressing. Import and export of electricity from Meghalaya, Tripura or Assam may be discussed.”

The state minister said the process of importing LNG/gas through H-Energy is almost final. “We want to increase connectivity with neighbouring countries including India and we need cooperation.”

He added that if a dedicated line from Nepal to Bangladesh is installed that will speed up power trade.

“India will also get benefit. It is essential to meet with the stakeholders of both sides every month to increase area of cooperation. Demand for LPG is increasing,” Nasrul Hamid said.

The Indian High Commissioner said that India’s cooperation with Bangladesh in the power and energy sector is increasing.

“Import of hydropower from Nepal to Bangladesh is ongoing. India also imports about 600MW of electricity from Nepal,” he said.

Nasrul Hamid and Pranay Verma also discussed about high voltage transmission lines, renewable energy, power import-export, R-LNG, fuel capacity enhancement, energy efficiency and future regional connectivity.

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