The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a US$350m assistance package to support the construction of two power transmission lines in Bangladesh, which will be built under the framework of the Southwest Transmission Grid Expansion Project. This project goes along with ADB's previous work in the country, which includes in particular the 800 MW Rupsha CCGT project in the southwest region.
The funds for two lines will reach US$357m in total and will be provided by the ADB (US$350m), the Japan Fund for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JFJCM, US$7m), the Republic of Korea e-Asia and Knowledge Partnership Fund (PEAK, US$0.5m). The Bangladeshi government will provide US$174.5m for the project.
The first transmission line will spread from Bogra to Rohanpur (400-kV, 104 km long) along with substations, transformers, associated extensions and connections. The second line (230-kV, 126 km) will be built in the southern part of the country between Barisal and Faridpur. Both are expected to be operational by 2021 and will help Bangladesh to reach its electrification targets.