PM for tapping surplus electricity from neighbouring states
Friday, 3 April 2009
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Thursday asked for tapping surplus electricity from neighbouring countries like Bhutan, India, Nepal and Myanmar, as the country faces severe power crisis in the wake of a growing demand, reports UNB.
Addressing the officials of Power and Energy Ministry at the secretariat in the morning, she said the electricity crisis must be removed as soon as possible, and viewed that regional cooperation can be an effective way of an immediate solution.
The Prime Minister was informed about the overall situation of the country's electricity sector in the programme through a presentation. Adviser for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Tofique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Haque Tuku, Power Secretary Nasiruddin Ahmed, Energy Secretary Mohammad Mohsin and Prime Minister's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also present.
"Want of electricity is the biggest problem at this moment, while it is the most vital element for development. We must find some ways as soon as possible to resolve the crisis," she said, spelling out a package of remedies of shorter and longer terms.
Referring to various initiatives taken in the neighbouring countries to set up new power plants, especially hydroelectric plants, she suggested seeking out if the neighbours have spare electricity that can be imported for an immediate remedy.
Hasina observed that if the four-party alliance and the last caretaker governments had followed the Power Policy adopted by the previous Awami League government, the country would not have to suffer from the present electricity crunch.
"When we came to power in 1996, the country's total power generation was only 1,600-MW, which was increased to 4,300-MW during our five-year tenure. We had adopted a Power Policy, so that electricity generation would be increased estimating the total national demand every year," she said.
Hasina went on: "But, unfortunately, the BNP-led four-party alliance did not follow our Power Policy. The alliance government installed not a single power plant in its tenure."
She deplored that billions of taka had been allocated for the power sector during the BNP-Jamaat regime, but the nation got nothing out of the public money.
The Premier said Bangladesh has the scope and potential for producing necessary electricity. To make that happen, the country needs only initiatives. Hasina underscored the need for setting up coal-fired power plants and one plant in Bhola district, as gas has been found there, from which electricity can be supplied to the southern part of the country.
Laying emphasis on alternative sources of power, Hasina said the fountains that flow downhill in Chittagong and Sylhet districts as well as waterbodies like haors and baors can be used for producing hydroelectricity. Besides, solar and wind energy can be effective alternative sources to produce electricity.
Mentioning two pilot projects in Noakhali for wind energy and another in Narsingdi for solar energy, initiated by the last Awami League government, she said the present government has already withdrawn all taxes from the solar energy system.
She said solar energy can be used in offices, educational institutions and hostels in urban areas on a large scale. "Installation cost of solar panels may be very high. But we do not have any alternative either. We must do it for the public good."
The PM also called for properly utilising the foreign investment to ease the electricity problem. "After a long time Bangladesh has got a democratically elected government which will inspire the foreigners to invest in larger volumes in our country. We will have to make best use of that investment potential," she said.
Hasina said it will take time to set up new power plants, but decisions have to be taken immediately as to how new plants can be installed as soon as possible.
"As we had been successful in giving the nation necessary electricity in 1996, this time we will be successful also, as there is no way but to work for welfare of the people," she said.
The Prime Minister further observed that work sectors are experiencing now some sort of slowdown, as the last caretaker government had done something "in the name of curbing corruption that has panicked people."
"But anyhow we will have to be successful in removing all problems for welfare of the mass people," she added.
Addressing the officials of Power and Energy Ministry at the secretariat in the morning, she said the electricity crisis must be removed as soon as possible, and viewed that regional cooperation can be an effective way of an immediate solution.
The Prime Minister was informed about the overall situation of the country's electricity sector in the programme through a presentation. Adviser for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Tofique-e-Elahi Chowdhury, State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Haque Tuku, Power Secretary Nasiruddin Ahmed, Energy Secretary Mohammad Mohsin and Prime Minister's press secretary Abul Kalam Azad were also present.
"Want of electricity is the biggest problem at this moment, while it is the most vital element for development. We must find some ways as soon as possible to resolve the crisis," she said, spelling out a package of remedies of shorter and longer terms.
Referring to various initiatives taken in the neighbouring countries to set up new power plants, especially hydroelectric plants, she suggested seeking out if the neighbours have spare electricity that can be imported for an immediate remedy.
Hasina observed that if the four-party alliance and the last caretaker governments had followed the Power Policy adopted by the previous Awami League government, the country would not have to suffer from the present electricity crunch.
"When we came to power in 1996, the country's total power generation was only 1,600-MW, which was increased to 4,300-MW during our five-year tenure. We had adopted a Power Policy, so that electricity generation would be increased estimating the total national demand every year," she said.
Hasina went on: "But, unfortunately, the BNP-led four-party alliance did not follow our Power Policy. The alliance government installed not a single power plant in its tenure."
She deplored that billions of taka had been allocated for the power sector during the BNP-Jamaat regime, but the nation got nothing out of the public money.
The Premier said Bangladesh has the scope and potential for producing necessary electricity. To make that happen, the country needs only initiatives. Hasina underscored the need for setting up coal-fired power plants and one plant in Bhola district, as gas has been found there, from which electricity can be supplied to the southern part of the country.
Laying emphasis on alternative sources of power, Hasina said the fountains that flow downhill in Chittagong and Sylhet districts as well as waterbodies like haors and baors can be used for producing hydroelectricity. Besides, solar and wind energy can be effective alternative sources to produce electricity.
Mentioning two pilot projects in Noakhali for wind energy and another in Narsingdi for solar energy, initiated by the last Awami League government, she said the present government has already withdrawn all taxes from the solar energy system.
She said solar energy can be used in offices, educational institutions and hostels in urban areas on a large scale. "Installation cost of solar panels may be very high. But we do not have any alternative either. We must do it for the public good."
The PM also called for properly utilising the foreign investment to ease the electricity problem. "After a long time Bangladesh has got a democratically elected government which will inspire the foreigners to invest in larger volumes in our country. We will have to make best use of that investment potential," she said.
Hasina said it will take time to set up new power plants, but decisions have to be taken immediately as to how new plants can be installed as soon as possible.
"As we had been successful in giving the nation necessary electricity in 1996, this time we will be successful also, as there is no way but to work for welfare of the people," she said.
The Prime Minister further observed that work sectors are experiencing now some sort of slowdown, as the last caretaker government had done something "in the name of curbing corruption that has panicked people."
"But anyhow we will have to be successful in removing all problems for welfare of the mass people," she added.