Nasrul, experts cross swords over prospects of renewables

Experts and state minister for power and energy Nasrul Hamid on Monday differed over the prospect of solar energy in Bangladesh.
The state minister said the country could not adopt solar-power plants as major sources due to land scarcity and higher cost.
"Considering all types of things in Bangladesh including dense-population and agricultural land, solar power is not feasible in Bangladesh like those of Saudi Arabia or Abu Dhabi," he said.
Bangladesh has not enough land to install large-scale solar power plants, he said, adding that is condition is different from other countries.
The minister said a total of 55 solar power projects were taken by the government couldn't bring expected positive results.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion on 'Prospect of renewable energy in Bangladesh' organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Waterkeepers Bangladesh in Dhaka.
The minister also said that the country needs to continue installing power plants with proven technologies like coal and other sources.
Even countries like the United States are setting up coal-fired plants, he said.
Bangladesh cannot become "a guinea pig to the foreigners' research" by adopting unproven technologies, he added.
He, however, urged the researchers to come up with suitable solutions for which his ministry will provide financial support.
But experts said renewable energy sources like solar are gradually becoming more viable both in terms of efficiency and costs.
They said the use of coal was on the wane globally due to its negative impact on environment.
Director of Institute of Energy at Dhaka University (DU) Professor Saiful Huque, professor of energy at the University of California, Daniel M Kammen, professor at the department of geology of Dhaka University Badrul Imam, and joint secretary of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR) Mohammad Alauddin attended the discussion among others.
At the onset of the discussion, former director general of power cell B D Rahmatullah made a presentation on the potentials of renewable energy in Bangladesh.
He said around 87 per cent of power being produced from fossil fuel whereas hydro and other renewable resources produce only 12 to 13 per cent of electricity.
Such massive use of fossil fuel is creating a negative impact on environment and lives, he said, adding that the world was now inclining towards renewable sources like sunlight, wind, rain, tides, sea wave and geothermal heat.
"Fortunately, Bangladesh is one of the countries in the world, where all sorts of renewable sources are abundant," he said.
He also said Bangladesh would not need more than 40,000 megawatt of electricity when it became a developed country. The lion's share of this required power can be sourced from renewable energy sources.
Dr Saiful Huque and Daniel M Kammen echoed the same.
Mr Kammen spoke on the success of solar energy and hydro powers across the globe.
"Even three years ago, we thought power plants based on renewable energies will be more expensive compared to those of fossil fuel-based plants," he said, adding that modern research proves that clean energies are becoming more affordable day by day.
The other speakers said the authorities need to change the mindset to adopt clean energy considering its necessity for the environment.

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