The Siddhirganj Peaking Power Project (SPPP), Bangladesh's first integrated gas-to-power project would add 300MW electricity to national power grid, which was scheduled to be completed by 2011.

The government directed electricity generation and distribution companies to improve their quality of services to ease sufferings of people across the country due to non-stop electricity cut.

No remarkable improvement of power situation is seen in the ongoing summer season that causes huge suffering for the HSC examinees and Boro farmers. Residents and boro farmers yesterday experienced ten to sixteen hours electricity cut, according to sources.

There was 1,800MW of load shedding yesterday against the demand of 5,500MW, sources said.

A TIMELY call by experts at a roundtable the other day for alternative energy sources, undoubtedly, remind the planners both in the public and private sectors of the urgency of expediting the adoption of renewable energy technologies for meeting the growing demands for electricity.

The government is likely to allocate Tk 1,018 crore for Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry for exploration of gas and oil fields and development of existing gas distribution pipeline to provide better services to clients.

It will be a component of the annual development programme (ADP) for next fiscal.

The allocation will be Tk 228.97 crore higher than that of the ongoing ADP budget.

Two UK based companies have expressed interest to invest in proposed 450MW Power Plant at Bibiana in Habiganj which installation process was suspended last year during the period of the caretaker government as only one company participated in bidding.

The two UK based companies are the Independent Power Corporation PIC and the Christofferson Rob and Company.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith yesterday said the process of undertaking power projects gets delayed due to fear of corruption, hindering desired results from power generation.

The present government will need its full five-year tenure to generate power to the level the ruling Awami League had pledged before the elections to do in three years.

"What we pledged in the election manifesto to do in three years, we' ll be able to do in our five-year tenure," Finance Minister AMA Muhith told reporters yesterday.

The villagers of Sharabaria, Dighoir and Kushmail of Baragram upazila brought out a procession demanding power supply in their villages.

The procession was arranged by Sharbik Manob Unnayan Songothn of Barigram. The villagers carried hurricane, banner and festoon in the processions, which paraded up to Zonail Bazar and dispersed on Sharabaria Madrasa premises.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday directed the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources ministry officials to gear up their activities for adding additional 3000mw of electricity in national grid in three to four years.