In Bangladesh, electricity supply shortages had been one of the biggest bottlenecks to economic growth, and in response to the increase in electricity demand associated with economic growth in 2009, the available installed capacity was only about 70% of peak demand, forcing the implementation of planned power outages. In addition, in rural areas, electricity demand for irrigation equipment operation was high, especially during the dry season, and meeting this demand was a priority issue from the perspective of food security. In rural areas west of the Jamuna River in particular, the supply capacity of power system facilities was not able to keep up with the demand for electricity due to the lack of power distribution network development. This cooperation aims to reduce power distribution losses, strengthen and stabilize the power supply system for efficient power supply, and meet the rapidly increasing demand for power to operate irrigation facilities, especially during the dry season, by constructing and rehabilitating power distribution networks in rural areas west of the Jamuna River, thereby improving the livelihoods of people in western areas with high rates of poverty. The project contributed to improving the environment and living standards of residents in the western region, where poverty is high, and to revitalizing the local economy.
© Source JICA