As the power supply situation across the country is getting worse day by day, Dhaka WASA has found a clever way to get rid of the problem.

It has installed high-tech gas-driven generators in its Saidabad Water Treatment Plant, bringing down its monthly electricity bill to 25 lakh from Tk 50-55 lakh¸ reports UNB.

"A small innovative idea can make a big difference. This is what we'' ve proved," a senior WASA official told UNB. The Saidabad Water Treatment Plant that went into operation on July 7, 2002 with a daily capacity to treat and supply 22.5 crore liters of water needs 2.1 MW of electricity everyday. "But our production used to be disrupted because of erratic power supply.

Then we decided to install gas-driven generators to have uninterrupted power supply," the official said wishing anonymity. He said they imported three high-tech gas-driven generators from Austria and installed those spending about Tk 12 crore. The generators were put into operation on December 6, 2007.

"We''ve installed the generators just to get uninterrupted power supply but they''ve given us more. We used to pay PDB Tk 50-55 lakh in electricity bill every month. But now our total monthly expenditure on electricity is only Tk 25 lakh, including a gas bill of Tk 12 lakh," the WASA official said.

He went on: "The operational cost of gas-driven generators is lower than diesel-operated ones. Big industries and organisations that need huge electricity everyday may install gas-driven generators to produce electricity.

It''ll help reduce the pressure on PDB." The official said they have already included gas-driven generators in the Tk 500-crore Saidabad Water Treatment Plant phase-2 so that they do not have to worry about electricity supply when it will go into operation. The project, expected to begin soon, is scheduled to be completed by 2012.

He said Dhaka WASA has some 470 deep tube-wells across the city and of them 250 are operated with diesel-driven generators and "we''re planning to gradually replace them with gas-driven ones to bring down the operational costs." He, however, said the gas-driven generators are good as long as there is adequate and uninterrupted gas supply.

"So far, we''ve not faced any disruption in gas supply to the Saidabad plant." It is not possible for the government alone to meet the growing demand for electricity. The electricity demand in the country is increasing by 8-10 percent a year, widening the gap between the demand and supply which now stands at more than 1,500 MW.

The country is now generating 3500 MW of power against the demand for over 5000 MW. Power cut, better known as load shedding, has become an integral part of Dhaka City''s everyday life. "The problem is so acute that the city dwellers have learned to live with it.

They''re rather happy by resigning to the fact that at least they''re getting electricity for some time everyday," said Dr Jahangirul Alam, a resident of Kabi Jasimuddin Road in the city''s Kamalapur area. He said evening is the prime time for students to read, but that is also the time when load shedding takes place most.

So, the worst victims of power outages are students. "Big educational institutions, particularly universities, can install gas-driven generators so that their students do not fall victims to the on-again-off-again electricity supply." Dr Alam said the city''s big shopping malls should have their own arrangements for electricity supply.

"Take the example of the under-construction ''Jamuna Future Park'' which will have an arrangement to generate 40 MW of electricity with its own power plant inside it. That''s nice to hear," he said. Alam said, "We''re facing the worst load shedding in years and it has forced us to change our household routine that requires electrical support."

Meanwhile, Dhaka WASA is carrying out a feasibility study to supply groundwater to water-starved Mirpur area of the city from Singair in Manikganj. About the project, the WASA official said, "We''re planning to bring some 22 crore liters of water from the Singair project for which we'' ll require to install some 100 tube-wells."

Asked about the environmental problem that might be caused due to the withdrawal of such huge groundwater, he said, "We''re looking at that aspect too." Dhaka WASA now can supply 160 crore liters of water everyday against the demand for 200 crore liters, according to another official who also spoke on condition of anonymity.

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