In a significant move, Nasrul Hamid, the State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, has reached out to the World Bank for collaboration in constructing power transmission lines connecting Nepal and Bangladesh. The aim is to facilitate electricity export to Nepal during the winter months. During a meeting with Pankaj Gupta, the World Bank’s South Asia Infrastructure Regional Director, Hamid expressed his hope for the World Bank’s financial backing and consultancy services for this ambitious project. Hamid underscored the pivotal role the World Bank could play in broadening their cooperative efforts. The process of importing electricity from Nepal is reportedly in its final stages.
The discussions encompassed a range of mutually beneficial topics, such as Strategic Policy Dialogue, Future Engagement, and the Power and Energy Sector Portfolio. The import of electricity from Nepal and Bhutan, cross-border energy trade, electric mobility, renewable energy integration, as well as advancements in battery technology and energy security were key areas of focus.
The World Bank’s South Asia Regional Director conveyed the institution’s keen interest in collaborating with Bangladesh on diverse projects. He highlighted the bank’s willingness to fund initiatives related to energy security, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the involvement of private entities in financing and participation. The urgent need to accelerate the gas metering project also received emphasis.
Hamid placed particular emphasis on the ongoing and upcoming projects backed by the World Bank. Notably, he shared details about the establishment of a power hub in Bangladesh’s southern region, outlining the requisite funding for transmission infrastructure and the preparation of smart grids. Additionally, he informed about the completion of wind mapping and the approval for generating around 10,000 MW of renewable energy. Investments in these sectors were highlighted as critical.
Furthermore, Hamid revealed a proactive initiative to replace antiquated gas pipelines with modern counterparts. The meeting saw the participation of key figures including Janendra Nath Sarkar, Chairman of Petrobangla, Humayun Kabir, Additional Secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Nurul Alam, Additional Secretary of Power Division, as well as World Bank representatives including Energy Practice Manager Simon J. Stolp and Operations Manager Gayle Martin. The outcome of this meeting signals a promising trajectory for collaborative efforts between Bangladesh and the World Bank in shaping the region’s energy landscape.
