Power supply becoming a critical problem
Monday, 28 July 2008
IT appears that the existing power plants in the country have a total generation capacity of over 5000 mw but the same cannot be realised in many cases due to ageing machinery, lack of replacement and repairs and, lately, for supply-constraints relating to gas. It is possible perhaps to progressively restore fully or near to it the production capacities of the plants by carrying out their rehabilitation, repair and replacement works on a war footing, provided simultaneous efforts are made to ensure steady gas supplies.
Previous governments could not do this for reasons of corruption. But the present government which has declared a crusade against corruption and appears to have the hard resolve to address squarely the major national problems, ought to have demonstrate the proper ability and motivation to largely take care of the nagging problem of insufficient power.
There is no denying that the attempting of rehabilitation, repair and overhauling works of the plants with determination will not suddenly increase generation capacities notably but the same should gradually go on increasing month after month the total supply to create a state of reasonable balance eventually between demand and supply at one stage.
Recently, media reported about the government's a roadmap for building up generation capacity by 2010. But it should go all-out to improve supply in the short run. To that end, the most effective means would be buying up wholly and quickly the surplus power available with captive power producers (CPPs) or ones in the private sector who generate their own power. The other policy essentially has to be putting into operation at the fastest the generating plants that remain closed for repairs, overhauling and rehabilitation. However, much will depend here on the government's efforts to ensure gas supplies in the requisite quantum available to the power plants.
Shireen Haque
Rd. no 4
Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka
Previous governments could not do this for reasons of corruption. But the present government which has declared a crusade against corruption and appears to have the hard resolve to address squarely the major national problems, ought to have demonstrate the proper ability and motivation to largely take care of the nagging problem of insufficient power.
There is no denying that the attempting of rehabilitation, repair and overhauling works of the plants with determination will not suddenly increase generation capacities notably but the same should gradually go on increasing month after month the total supply to create a state of reasonable balance eventually between demand and supply at one stage.
Recently, media reported about the government's a roadmap for building up generation capacity by 2010. But it should go all-out to improve supply in the short run. To that end, the most effective means would be buying up wholly and quickly the surplus power available with captive power producers (CPPs) or ones in the private sector who generate their own power. The other policy essentially has to be putting into operation at the fastest the generating plants that remain closed for repairs, overhauling and rehabilitation. However, much will depend here on the government's efforts to ensure gas supplies in the requisite quantum available to the power plants.
Shireen Haque
Rd. no 4
Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka