One of the country’s most advanced high-voltage grid substations is being built at Charfesson upazila in Bhola district, promising uninterrupted electricity supply and paving the way for industrial and economic growth in the coastal region.
The 230/33 kV Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) substation is expected to significantly reduce low-voltage issues and system loss, bringing consistent power to a long-underserved coastal population.
The nearly Tk 400-crore project is being implemented by local company Reverie Power & Automation Engineering Ltd in partnership with Chinese firm SPTDE, with joint funding from Government of Bangladesh, Asian Development Bank (ADB) and a climate fund.
Work began in May 2023, following a bilateral agreement signed at Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) headquarters, with completion targeted for December 2025.
Once operational, the grid will receive up to 425 MW of electricity daily from Bhola’s Shahbazpur gas-based power plant via fiber-optic cable.
This same infrastructure will also support high-speed internet services, enhancing connectivity and reducing reliance on mobile towers.
To protect against natural disasters, advanced lightning protection and a secure transmission system are being incorporated.
The substation is being constructed on five acres of land beside the main road at Aewajpur union in the upazila.
It will include 125 transmission towers across a 41-kilometre line, each 65 metres tall. The facility will house modern electrical equipment, control panels, breakers and isolators.
Currently, Charfesson upazila has two lower-capacity substations at Dularhat and Dakshin Aicha, operating at 33/11 kV.
In contrast, the new substation will collect electricity at 230 kV and distribute it at 33 kV, significantly increasing capacity and reducing overload.
Despite Bhola having a gas-powered electricity generation plant, residents in the southern coastal belt have long faced frequent load-shedding and low-voltage problems.
The new substation is expected to resolve these issues and fuel industrial development.
Local enthusiasm is high. Md Al Amin, a resident, said, “This will finally solve our load-shedding crisis. We’ve suffered from voltage issues for years.”
Tarek Aziz, President of Samraj Fish Landing Station, one of the country’s key hilsa hubs, noted, “Uninterrupted electricity will enable the growth of cold storage and fish processing industries, opening new export opportunities for hilsa.”
Social worker Md Monir Hossain added, “The substation won’t just light up Charfesson; it will transform the region into a center for agriculture, fisheries and industry, improving livelihoods across the board.”
Bashir Ahmed, Assistant Engineer at Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB), said the new grid will address overloading and system loss, while aiding fast electrification in remote areas like Dhalchar, Monpura, Char Kukri-Mukri and Char Montaz.
"With increased electricity, new factories will emerge, creating jobs and boosting the region’s economy," he added.
Charfesson Assistant Commissioner (Land) Emadul Hossain also highlighted the project’s broad impact: “This isn’t just a power project; it’s a catalyst for industrial growth and employment. The administration is providing full support to ensure successful implementation.”
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