State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) has shown keen interest for building underground power distribution line at Keraniganj in the capital to modernize the electricity supply system. President of the SGCC Dan Dekchi has submitted a proposal in this regard to Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) off late, sources said.
However, DPDC will set up 105 km underground lines under a government-to-government (G2G) project. The project is worth around Tk 20,500 crore. Besides, construction work of a 29-circuit-km (132 KV) underground distribution line is also going on at Tongi, Banani, Aftab Nagar and Uttara (3rd phase), scheduled to be finished by June 2020.
The government is planning to change all overhead power distribution lines to underground ones to reduce risk of electrocution, a move that would beautify the area too. State Minister for the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid has said that overhead electricity lines and power sub-stations must go underground.
He further said cables hanging in the cities will go underground and blackouts during inclement weather will be a thing of the past. If substations go underground then lots of land will be restored as well. State Grid Corporation of China supplies power to over 1.1 billion population in 26 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities, covering 88% of Chinese national territory. As the largest public utility in the world, with a registered capital of 829.5 billion RMB and assets of 3932.52 billion RMB, State Grid also owns and operates overseas assets in the Philippines, Brazil, Portugal, Australia, Italy and Greece etc.
According to SGCC proposal, they want to construct underground power distribution lines with capacity of 33KV (Kilovolt), 11KV and 0.415KV in Keranigonj, where Palli Bidyut Samity under Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) supplies electricity.
A high official of BREB told Bangladesh Post, “We have taken an initiative to modernize the power distribution lines in phases. To this end, a feasibility study has already been completed in Keranigonj and submitted a proposal to the Power Division. Now the Power Division will decide about it.”
It will be needed around taka 5,000 crore for the project. Many other organizations including from China have shown interest to implement the underground power transmission line, he added.
People concerned said Rajuk and several private housing companies are developing accommodation in Keraniganj area. Rajuk will build largest flat project there. As a result the electricity demand of the area is increasing every day. However, the new city constructions project of the Keraniganj are gaining momentum due to the under construction Padma bridge. A modern power distribution system has become essential for this area, they added.
Underground cables essentially consist of a conductor, an insulating system, a wire screen and a sheath. At the core is an electric conductor -- in case of extra-high-voltage (EHV) lines -- which is usually made of copper. Such cables have several advantages compared to overhead ones. They have less voltage drops and chances of developing faults and have low maintenance costs, according to power division officials.
If overhead lines are shifted underground, it will reduce risk of electrocution, which often occurs due to the transformers. Also, environment of the area will improve due to the move, expert said.