The New Nation - Internet Edition

Shamim Jahangir

The government is likely to implement two projects for reducing the system loss and improvement of the existing distribution lines of Rural Electrification Board (REB).

"If the Government is able to implement the projects, the system loss will be reduced at least two per cent," a high official of REB said adding "We have now 15.03 per cent system loss due to old age distribution lines which was installed in 1978 when Palli Biddut Samity was established."

He further said that the distribution system of REB would be more reliable after the up-gradation and improvement of lines through the projects.

"The projects will help reduce accident in the distribution lines," he added.

The joint venture projects will be implemented by the government and Japan International Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) at a cost of $136.07 million dollar.

The two projects are--Up-gradation and Improvement of Existing Distribution System in Rajshahi Division under Rural Electrification Board (phase-1) and Up-gradation and Improvement of Existing Distribution System in Khulna-Barisal Division under Rural Electrification Programme.

Under the projects, the authority will install 230 new Mega Vault Ampere (MVA). They will also upgrade 135 MVA under 73 Palli Biddut Samity (PBS).

Besides it will also install 661 kilometres 33 KV new lines and up-gradation of 945 kilometres existing lines.

Of the expenditure, $58.65 million dollar will be spent for the Up-gradation and Improvement of Existing Distribution System in Rajshahi Division under Rural Electrification Board (phase-1) project while $77.42 million dollar will be spent for Improvement of Existing Distribution System in Khulna-Barisal Division under Rural Electrification Programme projects.

"We have already met with the officials of JBIC several times. They agreed to assist us to implement the projects," he informed.

"The two projects will create employment of 216 people including 98 officers, 72 staff and 46 daily basis employees," a high official of REB said.

The REB is hopeful to start implementation of the projects within December next.