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"For Bangladesh, we have the question of whether our energy and power policies were right in the previous decade," he said.

“According to him, not extracting coal from Dinajpur, leaving 70% of the land unexplored and no oil-gas exploration in offshore blocks for more than a decade was a national failure”

“Saleque echoed this sentiment, underscoring the detrimental impact of implementation weaknesses, inefficiencies, and, to some extent, corruption in the energy sector.”

"Engineer Khondkar Abdus Saleque, an international energy consultant, outlined the potential of harnessing coal from local mines for electricity generation. He stated that through open-pit mining, these coal reserves could sustain a 10,000MW power generation capacity for 50 years."

Why keep coal underground while energy import bill soars, ask experts

At a TBS roundtable titled "Bangladesh's persistent energy crisis and solutions" on Tuesday, they emphasised tapping Bangladesh's coal reserves alongside exploring oil and gas options and simultaneously expanding the footprint of renewable energy.

"Engineer Khondkar Abdus Saleque, an international energy consultant, outlined the potential of harnessing coal from local mines for electricity generation. He stated that through open-pit mining, these coal reserves could sustain a 10,000MW power generation capacity for 50 years."

"Saleque echoed this sentiment, underscoring the detrimental impact of implementation weaknesses, inefficiencies, and, to some extent, corruption in the energy sector."

"According to him, not extracting coal from Dinajpur, leaving 70% of the land unexplored and no oil-gas exploration in offshore blocks for more than a decade was a national failure, especially when the proven gas reserve was depleting and the country massively upscaled its power generation."

"Fulbari coals are at mining depth, Bangladesh does not need its all-out efforts for clean energy while the use of coal in power generation globally is still at the 1973 level, he said, stressing coal mining for efficient power generation."

"He stressed for promoting academic programs, researches on energy alongside engaging the mass people for proper awareness."

https://www.tbsnews.net/bangladesh/energy/why-keep-coal-underground-while-energy-import-bill-soars-ask-experts-761542

Maybe Bangladesh will eventually be able to find a way to get out of this Adani contract which is costing them a small fortune!!

https://dailyindustry.news/delhi-directs-cbi-to-probe-allegations-against-adani/

I’d love to know if the 300k and 500k orders were worked over a period of time or just taken off the book 🤔

Well hopefully it’s finally coming to a head, knowing that the situation can’t carry on as it is!!!

“Besides, several other factors, including the crisis of power and energy, fall in export earnings and high inflation rate, are slowing down the economy.“

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=451526

Looks like the decision has already been made, but I think we all probably knew that anyway ….

Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina Offers Concessions Ahead of Polls - YouTube

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mXE1v857LaI

Bangladesh is also facing an energy crisis due largely to a heavy reliance on imported fuels estimated at about US$ 2.5 billion a year for power generation and also a lack of renewables and cleantech alternatives. In fact, instead of moving towards exploring renewable energy sources, Bangladesh turned to the use of more fossil fuels such as coal, oil and LNG. With a depreciating currency, a reliance on imported fuels for power generation has led to significant rise in power generation costs. As a result, it is estimated that the cost of electricity generation went up by 33 per cent in 2021-22.

Power cuts have disrupted activities in several sectors including agriculture and manufacturing, especially with serious implications for the RMG industry. Power cuts have also exacerbated public suffering, as the country is trying to combat the impacts of climate change such as heat waves and soaring temperatures reaching around 40c. Now to further compound the energy problem, Bangladesh is struggling to pay fuel import bills due to foreign exchange shortages.

https://today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd/views-opinion/bangladesh-economy-faces-headwinds-1702908656?amp=true

HenrytheEighth, sorry but you’re wrong! Some years ago, when Hasina discussed Phulbari, she did NOT say that she did not ever want to open pit mine Phulbari she said that she wanted to keep it for future generations. Time has moved on, as well as the country being in a totally different place now to what anyone could have anticipated due to outside influences…. The country has now had to spend so much on importing various fuels for their energy, that they now find themselves in the situation where they are having to borrow massive amounts of money just to keep the country moving forward, and still can’t pay all their debts…. This can’t continue and I am sure that the IMF will not want to see all their loans being spend on fuel imports! imo they will now mine their own resources ie, gas and coal. I think everyone believes that Hasina will win the next election in January,…. will she then give the green light for Phulbari, there are various options as others have already said of how this could be done so she does not lose face… This will probably be her last term in office.. will she go out on a high and save Bangladesh’s future by mining their own resources… imo I believe so otherwise I would not still be invested….

Now looking forward to an interesting few months ahead!!

“The government had no other option but to halt or limit the import of LNG and coal on and off in the last two years amidst a drastic fall in foreign reserves. While interruption in the flow of LNG created a massive shortage of gas in industries (as LNG was mostly used for industrial purposes), the lack of coal virtually paralysed several newly built power plants.”

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/editorial/gas-reserves-running-dry

“Our estimate is for coal consumption to increase to 19 Mt by 2026, fuelled by significant capacity additions and a strong economic outlook.”

There is no way that they can afford to import that amount of coal…..

I have lost the will to live after trying to read this lol

https://iea.blob.core.windows.net/assets/a72a7ffa-c5f2-4ed8-a2bf-eb035931d95c/Coal_2023.pdf

Page 37 ….. Similar developments in respect of inflation took place in Bangladesh, where the

value of the Bangladeshi taka sharply decreased and made coal imports costly.

Even a new coal plant, commissioned in late 2022, ran out of coal and was idle

for several weeks in 2023. Together with adverse weather conditions causing

higher demand, this led to disruptions in electricity supply, especially between May

and July. However, coal capacity in Bangladesh is set to increase. The

1.2 GW Matarbari and 1.2 GW Banshkhali coal plants are in the testing phase and

are expected to begin commercial operation shortly. In November 2023, the

1.3 GW Maitree Power Plant was commissioned, putting coal generation capacity

above 5 GW. Although projects are under consideration, their progress is

uncertain as funding institutions from outside the country pledge to withdraw from

financing coal projects internationally. Coal consumption in 2022 was 7 Mt and is

expected to have increased to 13 Mt in 2023.Our estimate is for coal consumption

to increase to 19 Mt by 2026, fuelled by significant capacity additions and a strong

economic outlook.

Is the energy demand forecast for 2021-41 based on the wrong premise?

Though the share of coal in the energy mix goes down, the consumption of this dirty fuel will continue to increase during the 2030s as three large plants – Rampal, Banshkhali and Matarbari – have entered into production recently.

Until 2020, coal consumption for power generation was only 1 million tonnes per annum. But the consumption is going to increase to 12 million tonnes within next year if the completed plants run at full capacity and coal consumption could cross 30 million tonnes if all 15 projects come in operation.

IEPMP2023, however, predicts that the coal consumption for power will begin to decrease in the early 2040s as coal will gradually move to ammonia-cofiring to control GHG emissions. https://www.tbsnews.net/analysis/energy-demand-forecast-2021-41-based-wrong-premise-754046

They cannot afford to buy that amount of coal... They MUST have to mine Phulbari ????

"The dependency on imported energy items poses economic challenges, urging a shift towards enhancing domestic production. Stimulating the economy, attracting investment, and fostering technological advancements hinge upon this crucial transition."

"To finish with, pursuit of energy self-sufficiency and innovation will define Bangladeshs trajectory towards a robust, sustainable future."

https://www.observerbd.com/news.php?id=450812

They simply can not afford to continue to import as they are now!!

And the dollar crisis is not going away.............

He admitted that the dollar crisis has been the main reason behind reducing the import by half.

“Actually the ongoing dollar crisis has become a big trouble for the power and energy sector,”

https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/trade/govt-cuts-lng-import-by-half-amid-dollar-crisis

this just shows you how coal plants should operate... own coal equals the cheapest power..... how can two countries be so different, but hopefully that's all about to change

https://profit.****stantoday.com.pk/2023/12/14/thar-coal-power-project-attains-2bn-financial-milestone/

Is not going to get any cheaper I’m guessing why demand is so high, putting more pressure on the GoB

https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/booming-indian-coal-demand-powers-rise-of-state-run-giants

Evening GP, yes I understand that mate…. Like you I’m amazed what’s happened in CHAR, and am now going to have to hold far longer than I had anticipated….

I’m hoping it’s now a different story here …. Time will tell ..

Nice to see a positive day, hopefully as we draw closer to the election we will continue to rise in anticipation of good news coming from the GoB in the new year after the election 🤞