The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser Prof M Tamim yesterday called upon the political parties to reach a national consensus on energy related issues for ensuring energy security for all in 2020 in the country.

Dr Tamim said, no more gas-based power plant would be set up in the country as there is a shortage of the fossil fuel.

"No more gas-based power plant to be set up in the country," he said while addressing a seminar titled 'Bangladesh's main challenges to meet future electricity demand'.

Referring to the country's chronic gas crisis that hampers the electricity generation, Dr Tamim said a team is now visiting the gas-based power plants to identify their efficiency level.

Terming the present gas crisis as a legacy of the past, Dr Tamim, a former professor of Petroleum Engineering of Buet, said only one gas field was discovered in the country in the last 10 years. "So, the present government has to think about gas import."

He said the use of electricity is increasing day by day because of its cheaper price.

"The Caretaker Government will hand over the power to the politicians immediately. For this reason, they would have understood about the energy security. If it was not possible to them, they can appoint experts for making plan in energy sector," he said.

Former Secretary Quamrul Islam Siddique presented the keynote paper while Mollah Amzad Hossain, Editor of the Energy and Power moderated the seminar.

Tamim said that it was not possible to ensure energy security without consensus of the political parties.

"It is easy to criticise the failure of the government on energy related issues but solving the problem is too much difficult," he said adding, "We have needed exploration of new gas field as well as coal mine development."

"If we can ensure coal, renewable energy as well as improving efficiency, it will be possible to ensure energy for all in 2020," he hoped.

We have tremendous shortage of skilled manpower in the sector, Dr Tamim said, adding that we have needed knowledgeable, skilled manpower to ensure energy security in the country.

He said that the Government has not taken any plan to install gas based new power plant due to shortage of gas.

We would have cancelled the existing gas running power plant due to the same reason, he added.

He informed that the government is trying to solve the energy crisis.

"The Government is trying to import gas due to shortage," he added.

"We are taking step for producing electricity in private sector. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) will take initiative in this regard," he further said.

Quamrul Islam Siddique in his keynote paper said that the Government would need to install 1000 MW of electricity per year to ensure power to citizen in 2020.

"Energy conservation can reduce investment in power sector," he said.

It will need to set up large load power plant in Bheramara, Khulna and Sirajgonj in west zone and Chandpur, Meghnaghat, Haripur and Siddhirganj in estern zone for energy security, Siddique suggested.

ERD Secretary M Nasir Uddin said the Government should hold an energy week for creating awareness on energy related issues to public.

"The solar energy and wind energy are the best solution for energy security. The government should be involved in the private sector in this regard," he said.

BERC Chairman Ghulam Rahman said that the government should need to take step for inviting national private sector.

"It will not be possible to solve the energy crisis without public and private partnership," he said adding, "It will also need a strong policy in energy sector."

Director General of Power Cell Mohammed Abdul Jalil, Rural Electrification Board Director BD Rahmatullah, Director of Petrobangla Maqbul-e-Elahi, Lt Col Moin Uddin, Prof Khalil M Chowdhury, Executive Director of IFC Nazrul Islam, SA Monsur, Basirul Hoq and Dr Khorsid Islam addressed at the seminar.