Native power solution providers up their game
The market for the equipment used in power generation, distribution and transmission keeps growing very fast in Bangladesh commensurate with expanding electricity production and consumption.
Presently, installed power generation capacity stands at 24,594 megawatts (MW), way greater than 4,942MW in '09 2009, in line with the power division.
The actual generation hit an archive 13,064MW on Saturday from a paltry 3,268MW greater than a decade ago.
There were 147 power stations in 2020, up from 27 in '09 2009. Ninety-nine % of the populace has usage of power, which was 47 per cent ten years ago.
The marketplace size of the products used in the energy system is just about Tk 20,000 crore, and the sector has been growing 20 % annually for the last eight years, said Rabiul Alam, chief executive officer of Energypac Engineering.
"The demand for power generation, transmission and distribution equipment will increase in the following twenty years along with the monetary development of the country," he said.
Alam said just years back, the industry could produce only 30 MVA (mega volt-ampere) transformers. Now, various firms can manufacture transformers with a ability as high as 3,000 MVA.
At present, 31 tiny and medium-sized native companies manufacture the gear used in the energy system. Around Tk 3,000 crore possesses been invested in the sector within the last 30 years.
Important manufacturers include Energypac, TS Transformer, Pran RFL, Adex, and Reverie.
But right now, local producers can only just cater to 20 per cent of the neighborhood demand. The others is met by overseas corporations and through imports.
Energypac Engineering manufactures power transformers, essential oil type distribution transformers, dry-type transformers, device transformers, switchgear, control and safety panels, isolators and bypass switches.
Besides, the business produces distribution cupboards, LV switchgear and control products, rectifiers, battery chargers, and busbar trunking systems for low voltage electric power.
Alam said Energypac was first with the capacity of providing all power system solutions. "Our world-class goods survive the toughest check before delivery."
In his view, Bangladeshi companies can meet 100 per cent of the demand of the distribution network. However the Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2008 will not offer protection to localized companies, he said.
"Because of this, the foreign companies are getting a lion's share of the task order."
As there is absolutely no provision to supply special treatment to hometown manufacturers, state-run businesses such as for example Bangladesh Power Development Board, Power Grid Business of Bangladesh, Dhaka Ability Distribution Company, Dhaka Electric powered Supply Firm, and Bangladesh Rural Electrification Panel are awarding orders to foreign corporations.
"Sometimes, foreign companies source substandard products. Therefore, the government will not get value for money," he alleged.
If the government provides insurance plan support, local companies could offer the entire selection of power distribution solutions, he said.
Alam sees an excellent prospect for the sector, saying exports might rise in the coming times as the caliber of locally made products was first improving.
Bangladeshi power equipment companies have achieved European expectations regarding quality and security, said Prof Shaikh Anowarul Fattah, a good professor of electrical and electronic engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
Companies such as Energypac export products to various countries.
"The sector is becoming self-sufficient and can focus on the demand of the energy sector in Bangladesh," said Prof Fattah.
Localized manufacturers export products such as for example cables, distribution boards, transformers, switchgears, wires, insulators, fans, heat and speed control systems, magnetic contractors, switches, and irons.
Other export-oriented products include tube lighting, filament bulbs, light fittings, table lamps, water heaters, torch lighting, and lift equipment.
Pran-RFL Group started making transformers in 2014 through its sister concern Sylvan Technologies.
Until recently, it used to create single-phase and three-period transformers, which are used for power distribution from key lines to homes.
"Now, we are building transformers for substations. We will be supplying the equipment to public and individual companies," stated Kamruzzaman Kamal, director for marketing of Pran-RFL.
Pran-RFL invested Tk 70 crore on establishing the involved plant and additional facilities.
Pritish Chandra Paul, standard manager for revenue and marketing of TS Transformer, a sister concern of SQ Group, stated regional companies had achieved the capability to make high-quality products.
But the government policy had not been giving special treatment to the local industry, he added.
