Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo

NEW DELHI, Jan 4, 2023 (BSS) - State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said Indian power and petroleum ministers assured of providing support to Bangladesh’s energy and power sector.

"We have conducted two separate meetings successfully, as the two ministers assured of extending their cooperation to Bangladesh's power and energy sector," he told journalists after the meetings at Bangladesh High Commission conference room here.

Nasrul Hamid met Petroleum and Natural Gas and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Power and Minister of Power Raj Kumar Singh respectively.

He said that discussions were held about the plan of the Numerigar oil pipeline inauguration by this year with the presence of two prime ministers.

The state minister informed journalists that Bangladesh wants to import fuel from Indian in a large volume, adding, "Meanwhile, we are importing oil from India in a small scale. LNG pipeline installation process is underway from India to Khulna, which will be installed by H Energy".

"We are going to open fuel market in our country and want to engage private sector to import and sell oil at retail level. In this regard, India is implementing the open market fuel process since long and we want to know their experiences and they (Indian Ministers) assured of sharing their knowledge with us," he said.

The Indian ministers also assured of extending their cooperation to Bangladesh's energy and power sector so that Bangladesh can maintain stable position in energy sector, Nasrul Hamid said.

"We are importing 1,160 MW power through Tripura and Bheramara substations. And we will get more 1,450 MW from private power company Adani power plant sooner," he added.

The state minister said that talks were held about renewable energy especially solar power import, adding, "The Indian side will cooperate us to import Hydropower from Bhutan and Nepal. Discussions were held about trilateral agreements to invest in Nepal to expand their renewable sector."

Today's discussion will also included the joint steering committee meeting, which will be held next month, he said.

Nasrul Hamid is now in India on an official visit and holding different meetings with his counter parts.

Yesterday, the state minister visited the under construction power plant in Godda district of India's Jharkhand.

Among others, power secretary Md Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Power Development Board chairman Md Mahbubur Rahman and Bangladesh High Commissioner in India Dr Mustafizur Rahman joined the meetings.