The main work on the much-awaited Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP) would start in September this year, Science and Technology Minister Architect Yeafesh Osman recently said.

State-owned Ashuganj Power Station Company Company Ltd (APSCL) and Chinese state-owned China Energy Engineering Corporation Ltd (Energy China) recently entered into a deal to set up a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant in Patuakhali on joint venture basis.

French Ambassador to Bangladesh Sophie Aubert has said they are fully committed to anchoring Bangladesh-France bilateral relationship in priority fields of common interests building new bridges between Europe and South Asia.

Power Situation to Further Improve in Rural Areas within a Year State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid recently said the overall power situation will further improve in the next one year as the government is working continuously in the transmission and gridlines in rural areas keeping in view the country's coveted economic progress.

The government has set lean LNG specification seeking to import it in a gaseous state having gross heating value from 1,025-1,100 BTU (British Thermal Unit) per square cubic feet from spot market, said officials.

The Rural Electrification Board (REB) suffered a loss of Tk 880 crore in 2016-17 fiscal for supplying electricity at subsidized rates, a top official of the state-run enterprise said.

According to an alternative environment-friendly power generation proposal, unit price of electricity in 2021 could be Tk 7.65, as opposed to the government's projected price of Tk 11.56 for the same year.

A good number of local textile mills have shut down operations in the last couple of years due to various factors, including inadequate power supply, unfair trade practices, and use of age-old machinery, industry insiders said.

The central bank has rejected the power division's plea for allowing the banks to lend funds exceeding 25 per cent of banks' paid-up capital to single borrowers for establishing large power plants, officials said.

The government has expressed concerns over Chevron’s share transfer to a Chinese consortium, Himalaya Energy Co. Ltd, and asked the Chevron boss to submit all the related documents to Petrobangla.

The Dhaka Power Distribution Company Limited (DPDC) fined, during different drives conducted recently, three commercial establishments and two residential houses Tk 6.29 million for stealing electricity and evading payment of tax.

The government is set to build a diesel-fired 150 megawatt power plant in Saidpur, the fuel for which will be imported from India.

The relevant authorities in Bangladesh have received bids to build its 7.5 million tonnes per year onshore LNG receiving terminal on a build-own-operate-transfer basis from 10 global firms.

The unused lands of Bangladesh Railway will be utilized for setting up power plants as huge swathes of railway land is either unused or remains under illegal occupation, officials have said.

The government spent about Tk 3,612.47 crore (36.12 billion) on power subsidies in the first eleven months of the just concluded fiscal year (2016-17) mainly due to purchase of costly electricity from rental and quick rental power plants.

The government is expected to import small scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) up to 450 mmcf per day through installing three floating storage and re-gasification unit (FSRU) at three points.

Local power companies sought permission for import of clean high speed furnace oil (HFO) for use in electricity generation to ensure longevity of plants and equipment as well as maintaining safe and clean environment.

Uninterrupted electricity supply must be ensured and the quality of consumer services must be improved, a government minister told power officials recently.

Laugfs Gas Bangladesh, a company of Sri Lanka-based multinational Laugfs Holdings, recently said it plans to strengthen its presence in Bangladesh with renewed commitment and further investments.

Experts opined that Bangladesh steel industry has immense growth potentials, which can be explored and utilized in the upcoming years, provided Chittagong Port's handling capacity is enhanced as well as ample gas and electricity supply is ensured.

Bangladesh Power Development Board will use Tk 763 crore from its own resources to increase the capacity of a power plant in Sylhet after the Islamic Development Bank withdrew its financial support for the project.

India's top builders have pledged to make at least a fifth of their new housing developments sustainable by 2022, as the country looks to tap sectors other than renewable energy to meet its ambitious climate goals.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has approved the proposal for the generation of 3,000MW of power based on diesel and furnace oil.

The government has moved to motivate the country's banking sector to invest in the power sector aiming to meet the growing demand for electricity, officials said.

Even though Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) is pressing the government to convert loan worth Tk 274 billion into subsidy, it hasn't yet taken any decision on the issue, sources said.

China, India, Indonesia and Vietnam have the world’s four biggest coal-fired power plants in pipeline. Together, they represent 82 percent of the 718 units globally under construction, according to a report.

Bangladesh inked recently the country's first-ever deal to import from Qatar liquefied natural gas (LNG), a new fuel for the country, to meet the mounting natural gas demand.

Russia recently said its energy investments had suffered "sabotage" from political factors, pointing to troubles over expanding the Nord Stream pipeline that pumps gas to Germany.

A number of Singaporean business-people recently called for adequate supply of gas and a fixed energy price for a certain period as they explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

The American shale gas revolution will enjoy a second wind as rapid growth in domestic production sees the US join the world’s club of top gas exporters, a leading energy authority has predicted.

The country's power sector is working with four innovative ideas to provide quick, hassle-free and digital services to the consumers.