Bangladesh should consider nuclear option to generate power: Tamim
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
FE Report
Special aide to Chief Adviser on energy and power M Tamim said Tuesday that Bangladesh now should consider the nuclear option to generate power mainly because of shortage gas.
"This is not my jurisdiction, although I personally would encourage and support the atomic energy commission to expedite power generation through nuclear option," said M Tamim.
The special aide said this at a dialogue on energy for development: options and strategies for Bangladesh held at the city's Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre, organised jointly by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
Professor Rehman Sobhan, CPD Chairman was moderator at the colloquium.
FBCCI president Annisul Huq, Energy secretary Md Mohsin and secretary to the power division Fouzul Kabir Khan, Bangladesh's permanent representative to UN office in Geneva Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya were also present at the meeting.
Tamim also said setting up of reactors and operation of atomic energy takes time and meantime existing gas fields have to supply gas to the power plants to cater to the growing demand for power at least for the next five years.
"We have to explore gas from existing fields to supply to the power plants so long we cannot go for nuclear energy, and there will be some breathing space for us," he said.
Tamim also said power generation using imported coal might be a good option at coastal districts, not other places.
"Power generation through imported coal might be viable at Chittagong and Khulna areas to meet the demand for power in those districts," he said.
He said there is no commercial viability for import of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and import of gas from Myanmar.
"Myanmar is selling gas for US$ 9.0 per 100 cubic metre, Qatar is selling its LNG at $ 7.0, should we import it," he said.
M Asaduzzaman, research director of the BIDS, presented keynote paper on the issue at the roundtable.
Addressing the roundtable meeting, secretary to the power division said the government has taken a number of moves to improve the power generation over the past two years adding 900 megawatt to the national grid.
He said at least 15 new enterprises will be created following introduction of independent power producers.
He said: "The government has finalised renewable energy policy to enhance power from natural sources."
Energy secretary said a coal policy is under final stage hinting it will be approved shortly adding that gas production has been increased over the years but it still is insufficient to match with the growing demand.
FBCCI president Annisul Huq said money needed for power generation should not be a problem.
He said: "We came to know at least Tk 350 billion is needed to meet the demand for power in a year. Money is not a factor here, give us gas and power".
"Replace the old power plants, money will not be problem, and whatever is needed should be done immediately," he said.
Special aide to Chief Adviser on energy and power M Tamim said Tuesday that Bangladesh now should consider the nuclear option to generate power mainly because of shortage gas.
"This is not my jurisdiction, although I personally would encourage and support the atomic energy commission to expedite power generation through nuclear option," said M Tamim.
The special aide said this at a dialogue on energy for development: options and strategies for Bangladesh held at the city's Bangladesh China Friendship Conference Centre, organised jointly by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
Professor Rehman Sobhan, CPD Chairman was moderator at the colloquium.
FBCCI president Annisul Huq, Energy secretary Md Mohsin and secretary to the power division Fouzul Kabir Khan, Bangladesh's permanent representative to UN office in Geneva Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya were also present at the meeting.
Tamim also said setting up of reactors and operation of atomic energy takes time and meantime existing gas fields have to supply gas to the power plants to cater to the growing demand for power at least for the next five years.
"We have to explore gas from existing fields to supply to the power plants so long we cannot go for nuclear energy, and there will be some breathing space for us," he said.
Tamim also said power generation using imported coal might be a good option at coastal districts, not other places.
"Power generation through imported coal might be viable at Chittagong and Khulna areas to meet the demand for power in those districts," he said.
He said there is no commercial viability for import of LNG (liquefied natural gas) and import of gas from Myanmar.
"Myanmar is selling gas for US$ 9.0 per 100 cubic metre, Qatar is selling its LNG at $ 7.0, should we import it," he said.
M Asaduzzaman, research director of the BIDS, presented keynote paper on the issue at the roundtable.
Addressing the roundtable meeting, secretary to the power division said the government has taken a number of moves to improve the power generation over the past two years adding 900 megawatt to the national grid.
He said at least 15 new enterprises will be created following introduction of independent power producers.
He said: "The government has finalised renewable energy policy to enhance power from natural sources."
Energy secretary said a coal policy is under final stage hinting it will be approved shortly adding that gas production has been increased over the years but it still is insufficient to match with the growing demand.
FBCCI president Annisul Huq said money needed for power generation should not be a problem.
He said: "We came to know at least Tk 350 billion is needed to meet the demand for power in a year. Money is not a factor here, give us gas and power".
"Replace the old power plants, money will not be problem, and whatever is needed should be done immediately," he said.