Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) has sought Tk60 billion as stimulus package from the government with an aim to ensure an uninterrupted supply of electricity to rural areas, a top official has said.
The BREB made a proposal before the Power Division in this regard.
BREB is in great trouble to operate 80 Palli Biddut Samities (PBSs) in the current pandemic as the entire country is under lockdown which has brought the economic activities to a standstill, BREB officials said.
“If these circumstances continue till June 2020, the rate of revenue will decrease drastically, and for conditions to return to normal state it might take October next. Under this state of affairs, the sale of electricity will fall, and the revenue will be reduced to Tk14 billion per month instead of Tk20 billion,” he said.
He said BREB will require a support of Tk60 billion to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to rural economy.
BREB has 28.5 million consumers, which include 90 percent or 26 million domestic, 360,000 irrigation pumps and the rest are commercial and industrial consumers.
Now, the power requirement for PBSs is high, as it is summer along with the load of irrigation. Most of the people are now in lockdown at home causing continuous electricity need, the BREB boss said.
Presently, PBSs are taking about 60 percent of the national demand.
