Lesson 1/44 min
Electricity: sources, bodies and firsts
Sources
- Sources of electricity: natural gas, mineral oil, water and coal
- Two kinds: water (hydro) and heat (thermal)
- Natural gas is the fuel most used to generate electricity
- The only hydropower station: Kaptai (Rangamati); built in 1962; capacity 230 MW
Institutions
| Body | Fact |
|---|---|
| PDB (Power Development Board) | Founded in 1972 |
| REB (Rural Electrification Board) | In charge of rural electrification; founded in 1977 |
| DESA (Dhaka Electricity Supply Authority) | Now called DPDC (Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd.) |
Firsts and special events
- The first electric light in Dhaka was lit in 1901, at Ahsan Manzil
- Six distribution bodies: BPDB, DPDC, DESCO, NESCO, WZPDCL and REB
- 21 March 2022: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina declared that 100% of people had electricity coverage (the day she inaugurated the Payra plant)
- Most of Bangladesh's electricity is generated from gas
Watch out: Khandokar's book says the light at Ahsan Manzil came for Lord Curzon's visit. Both books agree on 1901, but the Curzon detail could not be verified, so it is left out here.
Check yourself
Which is Bangladesh's only hydropower station?
At a glance
- 1
Sources of electricity are gas, oil, water and coal; gas is the most used fuel.
- 2
The only hydropower station is Kaptai (Rangamati), 1962, 230 MW.
- 3
PDB was founded in 1972 and REB in 1977; DESA is now called DPDC.
- 4
The first electric light in Dhaka was at Ahsan Manzil in 1901.
- 5
On 21 March 2022 the country was declared 100% covered by electricity.