This email is in reference to an article titled 'Bangladesh produces lowest hydropower in Asia: IHA' that was published in the Financial Express on November 04, 2018.
The article reported the findings of the 2018 Hydropower Status Report that was prepared by International Hydropower Association (IHA). It shed light on the fact that although Bangladesh has a significant potential of hydropower production, the country is still not producing enough hydropower.
Bangladesh has been producing hydropower with 230 megawatt capacity though the country has potential to produce many times more than this. After Bangladesh, Nepal is the second country with lowest production capacity (968 MW) of hydropower.
Fortunately, both countries are going to focus heavily on hydropower in the years to come. Also, a trilateral deal between the governments of Bhutan, India and Bangladesh is being planned. If this deal is signed and implemented then Bhutan will be generating 1,125 MW of power at the Dorjilung Hydropower Project in Bhutan. Later some of it will be exported to India and Bangladesh, according to the report.
At the moment, the IHA has observed, China is the hydropower leader in Asia and Pacific region. China is followed by Japan and India.
The IHA report also said that East Asia and the Pacific regions have the highest annual increase in hydropower capacity. Among them, China contributes the largest share of installed capacity. Currently China's total installed capacity of 341,190 MW is nearly 90 per cent of the total capacity in the region.
The second and third highest hydropower producing countries do not even produce a fourth of this amount. Japan is the second in the region with an installed capacity of 49,905 MW. India is third largest with an installed capacity of 49,382 MW.
Among the Asian countries, Vietnam was ranked third in the East Asia region with an installed capacity of 16, 679MW.
Given the findings of the report, I also think that Bangladesh needs to focus on hydropower and other alternative sources. This is especially required now as the country's gas reserve is fast depleting. On the other hand, fuel is proving to be extremely expensive for the economy.
Akibul Javed,
Indira Road, Dhaka
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