Load-shedding has drastically reduced with every household getting power 24x7: Sobhandeb

The Bengal government has started to export power to the neighbouring country Bangladesh. Addressing an Energy conclave, state power minister Sobhandeb Chatterjee on Friday said, they are looking to expand the power import further, and urged the manufacturers to invest in the state.

“Six years back Bengal was facing severe load-shedding but now the situation has changed drastically. Now we are providing 24x7 powers to everyone,” said Chatterjee at Eastern India’s largest electrical expo for power and electrical sector “E3” inaugurated on Friday at Milan Mela Ground.

“In the power sector, we have even expanded to Bangladesh and ready to expand further. We urge all manufacturers to invest in Bengal. There is a huge opportunity for the manufacturers of power sector,” the minister added.

Abdul Matlub Ahmad, President, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Rajesh Pandey, Chairman and Managing Director of West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL) were present in the programme.

“I am glad to know that IEEMA - Indian Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers’ Association is organising E3, in the Cultural Capital and womb of Modern India is the right place to host such events,” the minister said.

However, NTPC and West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (WBSEDCL), Bengal’s power distribution company have become the exporters to Bangladesh.

With Bengal turning power-surplus, the state sells 250 mW of power to Bangladesh through Power Trade Corporation (PTC). NTPC has already committed an additional supply of 250 mW of power to that country.

Speaking on this occasion President, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: “Thanks for transforming the city as an international centre for business. Bangladesh targets for 20,000 mW power in next two years with the help of government of India. With the help of IEEMA, we will look for new opportunity in the power sector. This will be initiated during Bangladesh PM’s next visit to India.”

“Through this event, the effort of IEEMA is to showcase the manufacturing and services strengths of Eastern Region which not only services India’s Electrical Transmission and Distribution needs, but also the demands from neighbouring South Asian countries’ power sector.” said Sharan Bansal, Executive Committee Member, Vice Chairman IEEMA ERC.