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BPEMC starts smart prepayment meter production today


Published : 18 Dec 2020 09:42 PM | Updated : 19 Dec 2020 05:21 AM

Bangladesh Power Equipment Manufacturing Company Limited (BPEMC), a joint venture initiative of state-owned Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) and Chinese privately run Shenzhen Star Instrument Co., Ltd is going to officially start smart prepayment meter production today (Saturday) at its Tongi factory in Gazipur district.

The meter will help to improve the energy billing process and enable consumers to use electricity in line with their budgets, RPCL officials said. Salim Bhuiyan, Executive Director (Engineering) of RPCL and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BPEMC told Bangladesh Post, “We are fully ready to produce smart electric prepayment meters in our factory. We have already produced some meters on a test basis. 

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid will inaugurate the factory as chief guest virtually on Saturday morning. After the inauguration programme, production will be started in full swing.” 

“A total of 13 lakh prepayment meters with single and three phase will be produced from the factory annually. It will meet the high demand for prepayment meters and thus save foreign currency. However, we have already got a requirement for 2 lakh meters of REB. They want to purchase it by June,” he added. 

“Initially, we will assemble smart prepayment meters only. We have also plans to produce other electrical equipment in phases. To this end, a space of 19000 square feet has been hired in Sena Kalyan Commercial Complex of Tongi. Hopefully, the factory will be shifted to its own building in Kadda of Gazipur within the next 3 years,” he continued. 

Salim Bhuiyan also said, “There are plans to export the meter abroad after fulfilling the country’s demand in the future. The prices of our products will also be reasonable and of the best quality. Besides, it will create employment opportunities.” 

“We will reap many benefits as a result of setting up our own meter factory. The main advantage is that I can use modern technology here. Secondly, after-sale service was not available on imported meters. Now we can repair the meter easily. Besides, the price is also affordable and it also saves foreign currency,” he added. 

RPCL officials said there are two production lines with a testing lab for quality tests after producing the meters. A medical center has been established there to provide round-the-clock medical services to the factory employees and workers. There is also a clean canteen and other facilities for the staff.

Rural Power Company Limited (RPCL) and Chinese privately run Shenzhen Star Instrument Co., Ltd formed the new company titled ‘Bangladesh Power Equipment Manufacturing Company Limited’ (BPEMC). RPCL has a 51 percent stake in the company, with the Chinese holding a 49 percent share.

The prepaid metering system has been introduced nationwide aimed at facilitating convenience of the consumers and also easing bill payment systems with hundred percent bill collection and electricity savings.

It is also aimed at protecting against system loss, corruption and overloading of the electricity to facilitate loading management with load control. It will help reduce system loss, pilferage, overbilling in power consumption as well ensuring services to subscribers.

In addition, RPCL was registered as a Public Limited Company at the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies & Firms on 31 December 1994 to lessen power crisis and to meet the increasing power demand of the country. 

The company was promoted to Rural Electrification Board (REB) and 5 (five) Palli Biddyut Samities (PBSs). The company is presently generating 392 MW of electricity from its 4 power plants & 150MW from its BPDB-RPCL Powergen, a joint venture company of BPDB & RPCL. 

Present shareholders of the company are BREB & 13 (thirteen) PBSs. Over the years RPCL has gained vast experience in project implementation, operation and maintenance of power plants.