Greetings from Chairman

          It has always been a gladsome matter that Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB), the core organization in rural electrification, is going to publish its annual report for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021. On this eve of a great moment, I would like to present before you a brief resume of BREB signifying its glorious journey in illuminating Bangladesh since its inception.

Since its establishment, BREB always endeavours to cherish and uphold the historical promises of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman reflected in the article 16 of the great Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh,

 “The State shall adopt effective measures to bring about a radical transformation in the rural areas through the promotion of an agricultural revolution, the provision of rural electrification, the development of cottage and other industries and the improvement of education, communications and public health, in those areas, so as progressively to remove the disparity in the standards of living between the urban and the rural areas.”

He reiterated his dream of building a discrimination-free, financially solvent “Sonar Bangla” in his deliberation on 07 July 1975 where he considered electricity as the prime mover for the expected change. He proclaimed, “Nothing goes without electricity”. 

This indomitable dream of the Father of the Nation is further rejuvenated by the visionary leadership of Honourable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina who is determined to enlighten every abode of this land by the blissful light of electricity through Vision-2021. Accordingly, she has also adopted Vision 2041 as a continuation of Vision 2021 and seeks to elevate the nation to the development path dreamt by Bangabandhu. The slogan, “Sheikh Hasina’s initiatives, Electricity in Every House” (শেখ হাসিনার উদ্যোগ, ঘরে ঘরে বিদ্যুৎ) is declared as a part of concretizing the vision of providing sustainable, reliable and qualitative electricity to all by 2021 at an affordable cost. For realizing the dream of our leader as well as the constitutional obligation, BREB is also determined to complete its “Upazila wise 100% electrification program” within Mujib Year. It has declared “Mujib Year” (মুজিব বর্ষ) as the “Service Year of Palli Bidyut” (পল্লী বিদ্যুতের সেবা বর্ষ) for BREB. It is a matter of pride that the 100% electrification of Grid 461-Upazila has already been accomplished. Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has already inaugurated 100% electrification in 288-Upazila and left 173 are ready to be inaugurated. The 100% electrification of the remaining OFF-Grid areas is to be completed within  “Mujib Year” (মুজিববর্ষ). Thus, by completing the program within “Mujib Year” (মুজিববর্ষ), we would like to pay homage to our Father of the Nation on the eve of celebrating the Golden Jubilee (স্বাধীনতার সুবর্ণজয়ন্তী ) of our invaluable Independence.

This 100% Electrification Program is an embodiment of BREB’s attempt to cooperate with the Government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within 2030 which includes ensuring “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” (Goal-07). As a part of it, the organization has already started providing electricity at the villages of impassable Rangabali Upazila under Patuakhali District and a total of 1059 Off-Grid villages situated at remote, marginal, riverine regions which remain detached from the mainland most of the time. It provides mini-grid solar lines as well as submarine cables to bring those OFF-Grid areas under the electrification network. It has also provided electric connections to the then enclaves and the Rohingya Camp within the shortest period and helped develop the life standard of the inhabitants.

BREB is also associating with the present Government to accomplish its mandate “My Village-My Town” (“আমার গ্রাম ,আমার শহর”). It has already provided electric connections to about 3 crore and 20 lac consumers through constructing 5 lac 38 thousand km. distribution lines till now and thus contributed to altering the wheel of the fate of about 13 crore beneficiaries, directly and indirectly, living in the area of responsibility of BREB. In the last 12 years’ reign of the present Government, the percentage of the electricity privileged people has been increased from 28% to 99.5%. During this time, system loss has been reduced remarkably from 18% to 9.67%. Here, the following table shows a comparative progressive figure of the Rural Electrification program between the last 12 years and its earlier 30 years:

Alongside the residential connection, the 80 PBSs of BREB have provided connections to 2,16,962 small industries, 15,000 medium industries, 490 large industries, 08 EPZs, 3,87,391 irrigation pumps. This brings forth a revolutionary change in the socio-economic thresholds of Bangladesh which results in its uplifted status as a middle-income country. Besides, through the ongoing project named “Translating Electricity Supply into Improvements of Rural Households”, it has trained 2,700 rural people to turn them into entrepreneurs and 33% of the participants are women. It aims to train 23,100 unemployed youth within Mujib Year to realize the Government’s project “Empowerment of Youth-Prosperity of Bangladesh” . Thus, BREB is also performing to achieve the SDG-8 (“Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full & productive employment and decent work for all”).

                  To ensure sustainable and qualitative service to the consumers, BREB introduces multifarious innovations and pioneering initiatives, such as “Alor Ferrywala” (“আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা ”), “Uthan Boithak” ( “উঠান বৈঠক”), “Durjoge Alor Guerilla” ( “দুর্যোগে আলোর গেরিলা”) and Bidyut Bibhrat Porjobekkhon Committee (“বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট পর্যবেক্ষণ কমিটি”). The “Alor Ferrywala” (“আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা”) program is initiated to ensure faster electric connections through spot metering. Being the vendor of light, our field personnel are striving to expand electric connections in every farthest corner of this land avoiding any corruption or consumer harassment. In case of rapid electric connections, the “Alor Ferrywala” program is playing an active role in transforming every village into a town. The “Uthan Boithak” (“উঠান বৈঠক”) program intends to resolve consumers’ complaints regarding the dilly-dally in electric connection, load shedding, the syndicate of middlemen, etc. It also creates a platform to raise awareness among consumers about the responsible usage of electricity, preventing mishaps occurred by short circuits, etc. “Durjoge Alor Guerilla” (“দুর্যোগে আলোর গেরিলা ”) program, bearing the motto “Keeping Palli Bidyut active in every crisis” (“সকল ত্যাগে পল্লী বিদ্যুৎ রাখিব সচল”), has already attained huge commendations for its dedication to ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the natural disaster Amphan (আম্ফান) and Yaas (Bqvm). Zealed with patriotism, our guerillas impressively regenerated electric connections of the 1.5 crore consumers and 35 lac consumers faced power cut off due to Amphan and Yaas respectively. Each unit of “Durjoge Alor Guerilla” (“দুর্যোগে আলোর গেরিলা),  comprised with the efficient members of the PBSs, keeps themselves always ready to render services everywhere and in every situation upon 15 minutes prior Notice to Move (NTM) system. Consequently, BREB could reactivate the power connections rapidly even after envisaging the huge financial loss during the disaster. Besides, the “Alor Guerillas” are dedicated to ensuring uninterrupted power supply during the ongoing pandemic  COVID-19 situation and heavy flood. Taking their life at stake during the COVID-19 pandemic, our guerillas following the heath guideline ensure uninterrupted power supply to hospitals, medical centres, isolation & quarantine centres, etc. in different parts of the country for providing medical services to the people affected by the Corona Virus.

              Innovative activities like “Alor Ferrywala (“আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা”), Uthan Boithak” (“উঠান বৈঠক”), “Durjoge Alor Guerilla” (“দুর্যোগে আলোর গেরিলা”), etc., “Bidyut Bibhrat Porjobekkhon Committee” (“বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট পর্যবেক্ষণ কমিটি”) is also playing an effective role in resolving power outages, bringing relief to the people and improving the provision of electricity services. The committee in charge maintains constant communication with all the offices of the PBSs on its own initiative and immediately informs the Senior General Manager / General Manager / DGM (Technical) if any power outage occurs or is likely to occur. All these deeds reflect accountability, transparency, and integrity in the RE program as well as exhibit a substantial image of BREB to all.

Affiliating with the Honorable Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s vision of Digital Bangladesh, BREB has also adopted progressive and consumer-friendly technologies to reduce the grievance and harassment of the consumers as well as to ease the constraints. New consumers are now facilitated with electric connections through online application, the existing pre-payment meters are upgraded into online smart pre-payment meter standards and consumers now can pay the electric bills (pre-paid & post-paid) from their houses using the mobile wallet through centralized online billing / vending data gateway.  A mobile app called “Palli Bidyut Sheba” (“পল্লী বিদ্যুৎ সেবা”) has been launched. Our ICT wing has activated “Transformer Maintenance and Load Management (TMLM)” software in 80 PBS. 100% procurement activities are being completed through the e-GP system. All tenders and publications are published duly on the BREB website. Bangladesh Electronic Funds Transfer Network (BEFTN), Implementation of Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS), ERP (HR-Payroll, Fixed Asset, Finance and Procurement Module), and Integrated Centralized Billing System (ICBS) have been started. All the offices (BREB HQ, 80 PBSs, 60 XENs, 12 SEs), as well as projects,  are now brought under the uniform umbrella of e-Nothi system. It is a matter of pride that BREB has been obtaining the 1st rank in the last six consecutive months in e-Nothi performance among the Greater Govt. Organizations. Virtual meetings are conducted regularly. During the COVID-19 situation, “Online Public Hearing Programs” (“অনলাইন গণশুনানী”) were arranged by the PBSs’ through the Facebook Live Platform to exert consumer gratification. Besides, the virtual help desk titled “Messanger Bot” is going to be introduced very soon. BREB opts to be a 100% paperless office within 2021. It also conducts various in-house & foreign training programs on developing  ICT and other necessary technical skills throughout the year to turn the existing manpowers into skilled human resources. BREB has provided training to 10509 & 13852 employees through the Training Directorate and 1952 & 2453 employees through the Bangladesh Power Management Institute (BPMI) in the FY 2020-2021 and during the COVID-19 pandemic respectively.

BREB is renowned for exercising National Integrity Strategy from the outset of the program. It adopts zero-tolerance against corruption. It has achieved 99.6 % of  APA targets in the FY 2020-2021. As feedback of practising integrity in BREB, the organization is rewarded with the prestigious Integrity Award in the 2018-2019 Fiscal Year from Power Division. It has been awarded for the “Fastest Expansion of the Distribution System” on the occasion of Power and Energy Week 2018. It has also been awarded the Best Organization for 100% implementation of ADP for the Fiscal Year 2017-2018. Earlier, BREB’s contribution in improving the lifestyle of the rural multitude of the country by providing quality electricity has earned its recognition as the Best Government Organization in Power Sector in 2016.

In FY 2020-2021, BREB has completed 08 (eight) projects, spent Tk. 4094.86 crore, provided electric connections to about 28 lac consumers, constructed 32736 km. lines and 87 substations with a capacity of 1550 MVA. The completed 08 (eight) projects are (1) Up-gradation of  Rural Electricity Distribution System (Dhaka, Chittagong & Sylhet Division) (2nd Revised); (2) Technical Assistance Project for Institutional Strengthening of Rural Electrification Program (1st Revised); (3) Rural Electrification Expansion Program in Sylhet Division & Infrastructure Development of BREB Headquarter (2nd Revised); (4) Up-gradation Rehabilitation and Intensification of Distribution System (Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chittagong & Sylhet Division) (1st Revised); (5) Up-gradation Rehabilitation and Intensification of Distribution System (Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna & Barisal Division) (1st Revised); (6) Translating Electricity Supply into Improvements of Rural Households (1st Revised); (7) Emergency Assistance Project-BREB Component (Electrification for Displaced Myanmar Nationals in Cox’s Bazar) (1st Revised) and (8) Submarine Cable laying for 100% & Uninterrupted Electrification in Off-Grid Areas under BREB. By completing 8 projects, BREB has accomplished 100% electrification of Grid 461-Upazila, brought under electricity facility of 2.5 lac households in OFF-Grid areas including Rangabali Upazila under Patuakhali District, increased power distribution capacity for uninterrupted power supply and improved the Rural Households, etc.

Currently, BREB has 05 (five) ongoing projects. These are (1) 1.5 Million Consumer Connection through Rural Electrification Expansion (2nd Revision with Provision of 1.95 Million Consumer Connection); (2) Distribution Network Expansion for 100% Rural Electrification (Dhaka, Mymensingh, Chittagong & Sylhet Divisions) (Revised); (3) Distribution Network Expansion for 100% Rural Electrification (Rajshahi, Rangpur, Khulna & Barisal Divisions) (Revised); (4) Solar Photovoltaic Pumping for Agricultural Irrigation (Revised) and (5) Modernization and Capacity Enhancement of BREB Network (Khulna  Division). With the assistance of 5 ongoing projects, BREB is providing electricity connections to the newly developed consumers in the Grid-area, installing 2000 solar-photovoltaic pumps for Agricultural Irrigation and modernizing & enhancing the capacity of BREB Network, etc. These activities are ensuring to provide sustainable, reliable and qualitative electricity to all by 2021 at an affordable cost.

The 12 (twelve) projects are being undertaken to modernize and enhance the capacity of power distribution system of BREB in future. These are  (1) Renovation and Modernization of Existing 33/11 kV Wooden Pole Mounted Sub-station in BREB (Phase-1); (2) Conversion of Overhead Distribution Systems into Underground Electric Distribution Network in Dhaka PBS-4; (3) Modernization and Capacity Enhancement of BREB Network (Dhaka-Mymensingh Division); (4) Modernization and Capacity Enhancement of BREB Network (Barishal  Division); (5) Modernization and Capacity Enhancement of BREB Network (Rajshahi-Rangpur Division); (6) Modernization and Capacity Enhancement of BREB Network (Chittagong-Sylhet Division); (7) Installation of SCADA System in BREB Network; (8) Energy Storage System Installation with GIS for BREB’s Distribution Network (Phase-I); (9) Installation of 5 Lac Smart Pre-Payment Meter and Meter Communication System under Rural Electrification Program; (10) Installation of 31 Lac Smart Pre-Payment Meter under Rural Electrification Program; (11) Rehabilitation of Risky Line of BREB Network and (12) Translating Electricity Supply into Improvements of Rural Households (Phase-II). With the help of 12 projects to be undertaken, BREB will convert the existing outdoor sub-stations into the indoor sub-stations through renovation and modernization, convert the overhead distribution systems into the underground electric distribution networks, modernize & enhance the capacity of the distribution network, install the SCADA system & the energy storage system with GIS for the distribution system & smart pre-payment meters including meter communication system and improve the Rural Households, etc. These activities will be an embodiment of BREB’s attempt to cooperate with the Government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) within 2030 which will ensure “affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all” (Goal-07) and conjoin with the government in elevating Bangladesh into a Developed Country within 2041 and adapt the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

On the occasion of celebrating Mujib Year (মুজিববর্ষ), the Birth Centenary of the Venerable Architect of our Independence & Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, BREB has dedicated the year as its “Service Year”. Variegated inclusive initiatives have been devised so that people of all walks of life as well as the destitute marginal folks, peasantries can avail the benefits of “Service Year”. These include completing the 100% electrification program, installing 2000 environment-friendly solar irrigation pumps, providing training to unemployed youths and women entrepreneurs to achieve “Empowerment of Youth-Prosperity of Bangladesh”, launching “Bidyut Bibhrat Porjobekkhon Committee” (“বিদ্যুৎ বিভ্রাট পর্যবেক্ষণ কমিটি”) and “Durjoge Alor Guerilla” (“দুর্যোগে আলোর গেরিলা”) program, strengthening “Alor Ferrywala” (আলোর ফেরিওয়ালা) program, providing uninterrupted power supply to substantiate “My Village-My Town” (আমার গ্রাম, আমার শহর) doctrine as well as to achieve the SDGs, etc. Eighty-one (81) Mujib Corners, anthologising prominent historical books, journals, photographs, documentaries on Bangladesh Liberation War and Biography of Bangabandhu, have been founded by BREB (BREB headquarters and 80 PBSs). The Honorable State Minister of Power, Energy & Mineral Resource Ministry applauded the display while inaugurating the Mujib Corner at BREB premises. Along with this, it has initiated eighty-one (81) Day Care Centres for the children of the employees at the headquarters and 80 PBSs to comply with the Honorable Prime Minister’s instruction as well as to realize the “WePOWER” Project in Power Sector. By observing Mujib Year as “Service Year”, BREB is determined to uphold the values of Bangabandhu through its activities.

We are determined to achieve the motto of electricity in every house within Mujib Year and gratify our valued consumers by ensuring sustainable and uninterrupted power supply at an affordable cost. Being the pioneer in rural electrification, BREB will conjoin itself with the government in elevating Bangladesh into a Developed Country within 2041. I wish great success to this extensive family of forty-five thousand (45,000) members. Finally, I convey my heartiest thanks to the concerned who have contributed to enrich the Annual Report.

মোহাং সেলিম উদ্দিন

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