ADB approves HVDC package award by Bangladesh group

ADB has approved the award of contract for the associated HVDC package by Power Grid Company of Bangladesh Limited.

This will facilitate the establishment of interconnection between the electrical grids of India and Bangladesh

The Notice of Award is expected to be issued by month's end.

The interconnect between the two countries would facilitate transfer of 500 MW Power in either direction. As per initial discussions, a quantum of 250 MW will be transferred to Bangladesh from India, likely from the unallocated share from central sector power projects in the Eastern Region. Any additional requirement by Bangladesh may be met through Independent Power Projects in India.

The power and transmission tariffs that Bangladesh will pay will be on a monthly basis, as determined by India’s Central Electricity Regulatory Commission.

While the Indian portion of the interconnection would be executed by Power Grid Corporation of India Limited, the Bangladesh portion would be executed by its Bangladeshi counterpart, PGCB.

The project will include, amongst other infrastructural facilities, a 125 long km 400kV double circuit Bangladesh-India transmission line, a 500 MW back-to-back HVDC station at Bheramara and a 230kV interconnection with the western grid of bangladesh.