Renewable energy does not cause carbon emission. It is free from environmental pollution. So, we should tend towards renewable energies like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal, bio-energy, tidal and hydro energy. They are safe, sustainable and cheap too. On the other hand, non-renewable resources like fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) take hundreds of millions of years to form. When they are burnt to produce energy, they emit a large amount of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases into the air. Renewable energy technologies can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. They will ultimately help us minimise power crisis. In Bangladesh, both conventional and renewable energy sources are being used for generating electricity.
First solar energy, it is the most abundant of all energy resources. In Bangladesh, it is a major contributor to the renewable energy segment. A photovoltaic cell, commonly called a solar cell, is a non-mechanical device that converts sunlight directly into electricity. Some PV cells can convert artificial light into electricity. Solar technology needs a place for installation so that we can use uncultivated land, rooftop, coastal areas, etc. The cost of solar panel is high in the country. So, the authorities concerned should reduce the price of solar panels and their accessories or reduce their VAT and tax.
Then, wind produces electricity by converting the kinetic energy of air using large wind turbines in motion. Many parts of our country have strong wind speeds, but the best locations for generating wind power are coastal areas and offshore islands. Gaibandha has a solar-cum-wind power project on 600 acres of land, which generates 200 MW of electricity every day. More plants like this should be set up across the country so that we can switch to renewable energy not only to produce electricity but also save our environment. Other sources of renewable energy can also widely be used to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
Deen Mohammad,
Gopibagh, Dhaka,
deenu_016@yahoo.com