Comparative technical study on local generation versus power import in Bangladesh perspectives

Abstract

Electricity, the most convenient form of energy, is an indispensable ingredient for the development of a country. The per capita consumption or ,generation of electricity is a reliable indicator of a country's socio-economic status. From the point of view of energy usage, Bangladesh is one of the least developed countries of the world with a low per capita energy consumption. The short as well as the long term demands for electricity in Bangladesh have made either of the two options worth consideration. These are (i) escalation in local generation of electricity using indigenous primary energy resource (i.e. gas and coal reserves) with export of the occasional surplus power to or (ii) reduction in generation with import of power from neighb0l'ing ,countries through regional interconnections. In this study, the BPDB (Bangladesh 'powe~ Development Board) - PGCB (Power Grid Company of Bangladesh) system ';Vithscenarios as of 2004 and 2015 (planned) are modeled. Three points of export or import are considered for Bangladesh power ••••• 1 '.. \ system under the two modes of operation. The points are Ishurdi, Thakurgaon and Sreemongal but at a time .only o,ne point is considered. A comprehensive comparison . of the steady state and the dynamic performance of Bangladesh power system when '.1 I< local power generation is enhanced for inland consumption as well as occasional export abroad, is made with that when power is imported from neighboring countries. '(1' " . This research is expected to serve as decision support tools for the policy makers in Bangladesh in opting out whether to import power from the neighboring countries or locally generate utilizing the proven and potential indigenous gas and coal reserves to meet the own demand and export excess power (if any) to the neighbors.