Prospect of renewable energy

Controversy over renewable energy is less common. In fact, it is the fossil fuel that most often comes under scathing criticism, particularly in the context of global warming. On Monday there was a spat over the merit of renewable energy between Nasrul Hamid, State Minister for Power and Energy, and experts in the subject. The minister's contention is that Bangladesh is not well suited to solar power -the cleanest energy known. Why? Because, the country unlike Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi, has not enough land to install large-scale solar power plants, the minister argues. The example of Saudi Arabia can be understood but by referring to Abu Dhabi he possibly meant the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Yes, the UAE land area is larger than Bangladesh and the population size there is smaller compared to Bangladesh.

Yet Bangladesh's population density and smaller land area cannot and should not stand in the way of harnessing renewable energy. Experts from home and abroad present at a discussion on 'Prospect of renewable Energy in Bangladesh' in the city did not agree with the minister. They made it amply clear that solar power in the country has ample prospect. In the paper former director general of the power cell presented there, it is claimed that the greater portion of the required electricity could be sourced from renewable energy even when the country would become a developed one requiring not more than 40,000 megawatt of electricity. Other experts present at the discussion could not agree more. The minister, on the other hand, stated that the 55 power projects undertaken by the government were not delivering the goods at the expected level. It is because of this fact, the government keeps faith in traditional power plants using fossil fuels.

The minister may well-nigh be right in his contention that the solar power projects are not performing up to expectation. But the reasons behind this less-than-expected performance should lie elsewhere, not in the technology as such. Solar technology is getting more sophisticated and improved day by day and the day will not be far when it will be very efficient in storing and distributing power. There are some advantages of this technology in transmitting electricity to power grids over the type generated by fossil fuel. A populous country like Bangladesh threatened more than most by climate change, has the added compulsion to go for green technology.

Then there are wind power and hydro-power which can as well be harnessed in order to supplement the need. In coastal areas, the wind power can be a viable option. But there is need for transfer of technology in this regard. Bangladesh, as one of the worst victims of carbon emission from developed countries, has the right to claim such a facility as also a substantial share of the international carbon fund. If wind and solar technologies become more efficient in generating electricity, the country should welcome those with open arms instead of opting for fossil-fuel plants.