I thank the energy adviser to the prime minister for his comment on energy conservation. As reported by the media, the adviser made sincere confession that time has long passed when electricity and gas should have been conserved. The adviser stressed on ensuring efficient use of electricity and gas. He should have taken up this critical issue much earlier or did he learn this subject so late? Anyway, it is better late than never.
About gas I feel there are two matters that can be considered. Most important is to have gas meters for all consumers. Next for domestic and commercial customers, there should have been 'part time of day' meters between say 5:00 am to 8:00 pm; normal rates could be set. And use of gas between 8:00 pm to 5:00 am the tariff could have been at least double. Of course industrial tariff will always be different. This should be taken up, and gas meters installed for all customers in the domestic and commercial establishments on a priority basis.
For industries, we should have power factor capacitors installed at the earliest so that both the consumers as well as power suppliers can reduce power consumption. For this important step, I strongly feel that 'power factor capacitors' should be allowed to be imported at minimum duty. Also loans for opening LCs for its import should be allowed at a very nominal rate. This is justified for the tremendous possibility of reducing power consumption. If we press and go ahead for 'power factor improvement' for all electricity consumers, at the least we will save between 500 to 800 MW of electricity. As soon as these measures are taken, the country can make fantastic savings in power sector. So, why delay?
Engr S A Mansoor
Dhaka
sam@dhakacom.com
Power conservation urgently needed
FE Team | Published: August 15, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00
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