The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

Renewable energy can play a vital role to face the power crisis in the South Asian region, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser of Energy, Power and Mineral Resources Prof M Tamim said.

He was addressing as chief guest in the inaugural function of a 3-day workshop on efficient energy management and renewable energy that began at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel yesterday.

Secretary of Power Division Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan and Assistant Country Director of UNDP Shireen Kamal Sayeed were present as special guests in the workshop. USAID Mission Director Denise Rollins presented the keynote paper on the opening day of the workshop which has been jointly organised by the USAID and UNDP. "The Power Ministry has been making preparations to place the renewable energy policy before the cabinet division for approval," Dr Tamim said.

He praised the USAID activities t in this sector.

He said that women in South Asian region can play an effective role in energy management.

"This workshop provides opportunities for policy makers, energy experts, women, media to share knowledge and experience in the countries of South Asia on efficient energy management, energy conservation, renewable energy technologies and gender role in the sector," Mercy Thomas of USAID said adding, "The main goal of the workshop is to make a framework how to provide low cost energy to the rural people."

Former Chairman of BREA Muhammed Zamir, S Padmanaban, Regional Programme Director of SARI/Energy, USAID in India, Ekta Bhardwaj of the PA Consulting, addressed, among other.

Women professionals working in the energy sector particularly in renewable energy, energy conservation and efficient energy management from Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Maldives, Afghanistan and host Bangladesh are participating in the workshop.

The South Asia Women in Energy (SAWIE) as a separate activity of USAID, SARI-Energy was launched in India in April this year with the aim in promoting women in renewable energy, energy conservation and efficient energy management and support the poor women in South Asia to reduce their drudgery, improve their health, empower them both economically and socially, and thus to make a difference in their lives.