Bangladesh, which is facing the brunt of inflation and unemployment, is soon going to be plunged into darkness, due to which the troubles of the people of Bangladesh may increase further. A coal-based power plant of Adani Power, which could till now sell electricity only to Bangladesh, will now sell it to India as well.
Sheikh Hasina may have left Bangladesh but the situation here is not improving. Bangladesh, which is facing the brunt of inflation and unemployment, is soon going to be plunged into darkness due to which the troubles of the people of Bangladesh may increase further. In fact, a coal-based power plant of Adani Power, which could till now sell electricity only to Bangladesh, will now sell it to India as well. Earlier it was working under a contract to sell electricity to Bangladesh. But now under the change in rules, it will be able to meet the electricity supply of India as well. After the amendment in India’s electricity export rules, it can also supply electricity to the domestic market. This step will help the company to avoid political risks in Bangladesh.
Changes in the rules
According to Reuters, a power ministry memo issued on August 12 amended 2018 guidelines specifically governing generators (power companies) supplying power to a neighbouring country. Currently, only one plant in India is under contract to export 100% of its power to a neighbouring country. This is Adani Power’s 1,600 megawatt (MW) Godda plant in Jharkhand.
The move could also benefit future projects where all generation is tied to export contracts. The government’s move comes nearly a week after longtime Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country amid protests against her.
Electricity demand will be met in the country
The amendment made by the Indian government also allows selling of electricity to the local grid in case of delayed payment. The Adani Group called the plant a shining example of India-Bangladesh cooperation in July 2023. Soon after, Gautam Adani met former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina when the plant’s full load was commissioned. An Adani Group spokesperson said the amendment will help increase the overall availability of electricity in India and help meet the growing power demand across the country.