Bangladesh: Electricity Distribution Modernization (Rajshahi-Rangpur Divisions) Project

proposed

Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), one of the major energy sector state-owned entities in Bangladesh, is responsible for extending electricity distribution services to the country's rural areas. The entity, through its 80 (eighty) rural electricity clusters, the "Palli Bidyut Samities" (PBSs), organized under eight divisions, collectively serves more than 77 percent of the country's electricity consumers. Out of 80 PBSs, Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions have 21 PBSs that provide services to around 8.4 million consumers (including industrial and commercial users). Considering the socio-economic development and the Government of Bangladesh's (GoB) target to develop multiple Special Economic Zones in the country's northwestern part, BREB anticipates an increase in consumer demand for reliable electricity supply in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. In order to (i) cater to the expected additional demand, (ii) decongest the network, and (iii) reduce distribution losses, BREB has initiated this project to increase the capacity and modernize the distribution network in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions. The following activities are planned in the project scope: Installation and augmentation of 33/11kV 116 substations with a total capacity of 1,385 MVA Construction and modernization of around 19,500 km of distribution lines Installation of river-crossing towers, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) System, and fault locators.