ENERGY SECTOR SCENARIO OF BANGLADESH1 Apr 2024 00:16
Sorry, another long post, with a copy and paste of some important parts …..
“The present energy supply situation and apprehensions over deepening the crisis are due to a combination of years of gross negligence of policymakers to prioritize exploration and exploitation of domestic fuel resources. Without assessing the depth and diversity of the challenges, the policymakers opted for increasing reliance on imported fuel keeping precious coal and petroleum resources buried underground. Relevant experts kept repeatedly alerting the government of dire consequences. But all went unheeded.”
“Bangladesh moved away from the self-reliant energy philosophy of the father of the nation. People may also question the sincerity of the policymakers in getting out of the crisis. The obvious consequence is that with over 29,000MW installed power generation capacity (grid, non-grid, import, and renewables), the government has no clue how to meet 16,500-17,000MW peak power load in the ensuing summer.”
“In the present business-as-usual process, it is extremely difficult to comprehend how the emerging crises of 2024 and 2025 will be managed.”
“But in the process of increasing generation capacity, not much attention has been given to assured fuel supply, expansion of the power transmission grid, and modernization of the power distribution network. Geographical challenges constrain Bangladesh from setting up expensive infrastructure for fuel imports.”
“Bangladesh followed the wrong policy in exploring and exploiting local fuel resources. Very high-quality coal resources (less sulfur, low ash, and high-heating value) remain virtually unexplored. Petroleum resources onshore and offshore have not been explored. These have led to state-owned enterprises like BPDB, Petrobangla, and BPC almost going bankrupt with huge outstanding payments. The government cannot afford to pay huge subsidies to the power and energy sector.”
“There is some issue with evacuating full capacity from the Matarbari and Bashkhali power plants. Also, there is a genuine issue of dollar shortage for purchasing coal.”
“There is a wrong belief that coal exploration will create desertification in the coal region, and the aquifer will be impacted. But all coal mines elsewhere in the world did not create deserts. There exists off-the-shelf technology for managing aquifers, managing mine water, and reclaiming agricultural land. Authentic study reports are available to the government. But the uninformed guess of some policymakers keeps the government in dilemma over mining coal.”
“Without energy security, the dreams of developing the economy, smart Bangladesh may not come true.”
https://ep-bd.com/view/details/article/OTk3MQ%3D%3D/title?q=energy+sector+scenario+of+bangladesh
Sign In
Follow the stocks
