BPDB (Bangladesh Power Development Board) Overview
The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is the country's core state-owned power utility, responsible for power plant development and operation, electricity procurement, and distribution management. Since its establishment in 1972, it has played a central role in building Bangladesh's electricity infrastructure.
At the 2023 GGHK Busan exhibition, BPDB's procurement director met Korean suppliers and held 12 business consultations. The delegation showed strong interest in power equipment, gas turbines, transformers, protection relays, and SCADA systems, confirming clear participation opportunities for Korean companies.
1972
Established
State power utility
25,000MW+
Generation Capacity
Managed capacity
100+
Power Plants
Own assets + IPPs
30,000+
Employees
Full-time staff
$2B+
Annual Procurement
Equipment and parts
12
GGHK Meetings
With Korean firms
Very High
Interest Level
Generation and T&D
e-GP
Procurement Method
Electronic procurement
BPDB Organization and Procurement Structure
Key BPDB Departments and Procurement Functions
| Department | Function | Procurement Items | Annual Scale | Method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Generation | Power plant development and operation | Gas turbines, boilers, DCS | $800M+ | International tender |
| Transmission | High-voltage transmission management | Transmission towers, cables, GIS | $500M+ | International tender |
| Distribution | Low-voltage distribution management | Transformers, meters, utility poles | $400M+ | Domestic + international |
| Procurement | Central procurement control | All categories | $2B+ | Integrated e-GP |
| Technical | Technical evaluation and inspection | Technical specification review | - | Technical review |
Procurement Category Analysis
Generation Equipment Procurement
Gas Turbines100-400MW class, led by GE and Siemens
BoilersCoal and gas thermal projects, China and Japan competing
DCS/SCADAPlant control systems, ABB and Yokogawa
Korean OpportunityMid-size turbines, auxiliary systems, relays
Transmission and Distribution Procurement
Transformers132/33kV, local and imported competition
Circuit BreakersGIS and VCB, led by ABB and Siemens
Wires and CablesACSR and XLPE, China and India competing
Korean OpportunityHigh-voltage transformers, GIS, relays
e-GP Vendor Registration Process
01
Register on the e-GP system
All BPDB procurement is handled through Bangladesh's government electronic procurement platform (e-GP: www.eprocure.gov.bd). Korean firms must first register as vendors before joining tenders. Registration requires company information, financial statements, technical qualifications, and proof of previous project performance.
02
Pre-qualification (PQ) review
Large BPDB projects such as power plant construction and transmission line development usually require pre-qualification. Applicants must prove comparable project experience over the previous five years, technical manpower, and financial capability. Korean companies can use delivery records to KEPCO or KHNP as reference cases.
03
Tender participation and technical-price evaluation
Bids are submitted electronically through e-GP, including both technical and commercial proposals. BPDB selects the winning bidder through a combined assessment of technical evaluation (70%) and price evaluation (30%). Compliance with specifications and track record remain the main scoring factors.
04
Contract award and delivery
After award, the supplier signs a contract with BPDB. The terms typically cover delivery deadlines, inspection standards, defect liability periods of around two years, and delay penalties. Payment is usually made by L/C or T/T, and BPDB offers relatively strong payment reliability as a government entity.
Opportunities for Korean Companies
Competitive Areas for Korean Companies in BPDB Procurement
| Item | Market Size | Korean Strength | Key Korean Players | Entry Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mid-size gas turbines | $200M+ | Korea Enerbility technology | Korea Enerbility | EPC consortium |
| High-voltage transformers | $150M+ | Korea Electric Co quality | Korea Electric Co, 코리아LS | Direct tendering |
| Relays and protection systems | $50M+ | Strong technology-price balance | 코리아LS, Korea Hyosung | e-GP bidding |
| SCADA and DCS | $80M+ | Advantage in digital engineering | KEPCO E&C | Technical partnership |
| Power cables | $100M+ | High quality and competitive pricing | Korea Cable, Taihan Cable | International tender |
BPDB Procurement Participation Flow
BPDB Procurement Process
e-GP Registration
Vendor enrollment
→↓
PQ Review
Pre-qualification
→↓
Bid Submission
Technical + price
→↓
Evaluation and Award
Technical 70%
→↓
Contract and Delivery
L/C payment
BPDB is the most important public buyer in Bangladesh's power infrastructure market and offers some of the largest procurement opportunities for Korean power and transmission companies. Early preparation for e-GP registration and PQ review is essential for firms aiming to secure a foothold in this market.
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