50pc reduction in gas use by 2030, forecasts JICA
Wednesday, 9 June 2010
FE Report
The government looks to almost halve its reliance on gas as a major fuel for electricity generation over the next 20 years as it goes ahead with diversifying the energy use, a top official said.
ASM Alamgir Kabir, chairman of Power Development Board, said the revised power sector master plan, prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), forecast that gas use should see a 50 per cent reduction by 2030 in view of supply crunch.
Currently, 87 per cent of the country's electricity is generated by natural gas, reflecting the overwhelming dependence on a single fuel source.
The JICA said the demand for electricity in Bangladesh could reach 30,000 megawatt (mw) to 35,000mw by 2030, the generation of which the power sector officials and experts say will require exploring multiple fuel options.
"It's a huge challenge. Diversification of fuel sources is only option we have now," the PDB head said.
JICA, at the request of the government, began reviewing the sector's master plan in October last year and is expected to complete it by the end of this year with a strategy to diversify fuel sources.
PDB officials said the upcoming plan will incorporate forecasting of demand, procurement of primary energy resources including coal, optimum power supply development plan, future optimum power supply structure including the positioning of gas fired power plants and renewable energy.
Mr. Kabir said coal use would account for 30 per cent while 20 per cent would come from liquid fuels that include oil and diesel.
The government looks to almost halve its reliance on gas as a major fuel for electricity generation over the next 20 years as it goes ahead with diversifying the energy use, a top official said.
ASM Alamgir Kabir, chairman of Power Development Board, said the revised power sector master plan, prepared by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), forecast that gas use should see a 50 per cent reduction by 2030 in view of supply crunch.
Currently, 87 per cent of the country's electricity is generated by natural gas, reflecting the overwhelming dependence on a single fuel source.
The JICA said the demand for electricity in Bangladesh could reach 30,000 megawatt (mw) to 35,000mw by 2030, the generation of which the power sector officials and experts say will require exploring multiple fuel options.
"It's a huge challenge. Diversification of fuel sources is only option we have now," the PDB head said.
JICA, at the request of the government, began reviewing the sector's master plan in October last year and is expected to complete it by the end of this year with a strategy to diversify fuel sources.
PDB officials said the upcoming plan will incorporate forecasting of demand, procurement of primary energy resources including coal, optimum power supply development plan, future optimum power supply structure including the positioning of gas fired power plants and renewable energy.
Mr. Kabir said coal use would account for 30 per cent while 20 per cent would come from liquid fuels that include oil and diesel.