Weighing nuclear, renewable energy resources options
Thursday, 2 April 2009
Shahiduzzaman Khan
The government has taken a fresh move for setting up a US$1.0 billion nuclear power plant to meet the growing demand for electricity. Normally, it needs eight to nine years to set up a 600-1000 megawatt (MW) power plant. Bangladesh plans to set up at least a 1000MW nuclear power plant within a decade.
According to official sources, the government has initial proposals from three countries -- Russia, China and South Korea. The Russian proposal tops the list, as the nuclear-rich country has been keen to move ahead with the Bangladesh project under a state-to-state bilateral agreement. As part of the move, the Russian ambassador in Dhaka recently met the state minister for science and ICT to discuss the project-related issues. As follow-up of the envoy's move, a Russian technical expert team is now in the city. The team has already discussed with the concerned authorities the proposed power plant issues.
It is expected that after the end of the Russian technical team's visit, a full-fledged proposal will come from the nuclear nation. As such, Bangladesh might have to move for an unsolicited offer-based project to implement the nuclear power plant project. In that case, the present public procurement regulation (PPR) may need certain changes. But the main problem to deal with the project will be mobilising fund in the present perspective of global financial economic meltdown as because, a 1000 MW nuclear power plant needs a US$ 1.2-1.5 billion investment.
There is no denying that the nuclear power plant operation is a very sensitive work and needs highly skilled manpower. Bangladesh does not have such manpower available at present. So, from now on a strong move has to be taken to develop skilled manpower to run such a project. At present, world's 23 per cent electricity comes from nuclear plants. Neighbouring India is leading in nuclear power generation in the South Asian region as it has 17 nuclear power plants while another five is under construction. Russia generates 17 per cent of its total electricity from nuclear plants while the USA generates 20 per cent. France leads in nuclear power generation among the European nations.
Bangladesh has sufficient coal reserves, but its extraction appears to be very difficult. The process again requires five to seven years to materialise. Moreover, the decision to award foreign companies contracts to develop coal mines in Bangladesh is also mired in political controversy. The draft coal policy is yet to be approved. Hence, Bangladesh can rely on nuclear technology to produce adequate amount of electricity. Yet the country lacks money, technology, and managerial skill and as such, it needs to attract foreign investment.
However, opponents of the nuclear power plants say that the nuclear energy should not be an option for a poor country like Bangladesh where proper up-keep of even low-tech installations is so deplorable. They blamed the lobbyists who were active in trying to brainwash the key decision-makers into procuring a nuclear plant on the pretext of meeting people's demand for electricity for homes, factories and irrigation. That would be simply suicidal given the fact that apathy is built-in in the national psyche of Bangladesh, they said. This has been revealed by major disasters and research on all levels of radioactive fallout, be it from leaks in civilian reactors, medical use, bombs or bullets. Instead, Bangladesh should go for the development of solar energy and persuade more enlightened home-grown investors and advanced 'donors' to help finance sustainable energy projects, they argued.
Such sustainable energy projects may be viable through proper utilisation of renewable energy sources. The country's first renewable energy policy, that was approved sometime ago, envisages that the electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, bio-gas and hydro will be purchased by power entities through mutual agreement. The renewable energy producers are allowed to use existing electricity transmission and distribution systems, if there is adequate capacity, to supply electricity to its customers through mutual agreement between the project sponsors and the owners of transmission or distribution facilities.
Until now, consumption of renewable energy in the country is limited to people mainly in remote areas under the assistance from several public, private and non-government organisations. Currently, the renewable energy contributes less than 1.0 per cent of the country's total electricity generation. The country is more dependent on non-renewable resources of energy, such as petroleum and natural gas, to meet the demand for power. The contribution of renewable sources of energy to power generation in Bangladesh is very little.
The government should target that by the year 2020, 10 per cent of total electricity will come from renewable resources. The number of solar system installations in the country is on the rise. Biogas plants are now popular in rural areas. More steps can be taken to popularise the proven solar water heating system, solar cooker or solar dryer. It requires proper planning from the government and the non-government organisations (NGOs) at the grssroots level.
If foreign investment can be ensured, Bangladesh should go all-out to set up a nuclear power plant which is definitely a viable option. Side by side, the country must exploit renewable energy resources to generate electricity as mush as possible. With fast depletion of natural gas reserve, these options must be diligently weighed to meet the nagging energy demand of the country.
szkhan@thefinancialexpress-bd.com
The government has taken a fresh move for setting up a US$1.0 billion nuclear power plant to meet the growing demand for electricity. Normally, it needs eight to nine years to set up a 600-1000 megawatt (MW) power plant. Bangladesh plans to set up at least a 1000MW nuclear power plant within a decade.
According to official sources, the government has initial proposals from three countries -- Russia, China and South Korea. The Russian proposal tops the list, as the nuclear-rich country has been keen to move ahead with the Bangladesh project under a state-to-state bilateral agreement. As part of the move, the Russian ambassador in Dhaka recently met the state minister for science and ICT to discuss the project-related issues. As follow-up of the envoy's move, a Russian technical expert team is now in the city. The team has already discussed with the concerned authorities the proposed power plant issues.
It is expected that after the end of the Russian technical team's visit, a full-fledged proposal will come from the nuclear nation. As such, Bangladesh might have to move for an unsolicited offer-based project to implement the nuclear power plant project. In that case, the present public procurement regulation (PPR) may need certain changes. But the main problem to deal with the project will be mobilising fund in the present perspective of global financial economic meltdown as because, a 1000 MW nuclear power plant needs a US$ 1.2-1.5 billion investment.
There is no denying that the nuclear power plant operation is a very sensitive work and needs highly skilled manpower. Bangladesh does not have such manpower available at present. So, from now on a strong move has to be taken to develop skilled manpower to run such a project. At present, world's 23 per cent electricity comes from nuclear plants. Neighbouring India is leading in nuclear power generation in the South Asian region as it has 17 nuclear power plants while another five is under construction. Russia generates 17 per cent of its total electricity from nuclear plants while the USA generates 20 per cent. France leads in nuclear power generation among the European nations.
Bangladesh has sufficient coal reserves, but its extraction appears to be very difficult. The process again requires five to seven years to materialise. Moreover, the decision to award foreign companies contracts to develop coal mines in Bangladesh is also mired in political controversy. The draft coal policy is yet to be approved. Hence, Bangladesh can rely on nuclear technology to produce adequate amount of electricity. Yet the country lacks money, technology, and managerial skill and as such, it needs to attract foreign investment.
However, opponents of the nuclear power plants say that the nuclear energy should not be an option for a poor country like Bangladesh where proper up-keep of even low-tech installations is so deplorable. They blamed the lobbyists who were active in trying to brainwash the key decision-makers into procuring a nuclear plant on the pretext of meeting people's demand for electricity for homes, factories and irrigation. That would be simply suicidal given the fact that apathy is built-in in the national psyche of Bangladesh, they said. This has been revealed by major disasters and research on all levels of radioactive fallout, be it from leaks in civilian reactors, medical use, bombs or bullets. Instead, Bangladesh should go for the development of solar energy and persuade more enlightened home-grown investors and advanced 'donors' to help finance sustainable energy projects, they argued.
Such sustainable energy projects may be viable through proper utilisation of renewable energy sources. The country's first renewable energy policy, that was approved sometime ago, envisages that the electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources like solar, wind, bio-gas and hydro will be purchased by power entities through mutual agreement. The renewable energy producers are allowed to use existing electricity transmission and distribution systems, if there is adequate capacity, to supply electricity to its customers through mutual agreement between the project sponsors and the owners of transmission or distribution facilities.
Until now, consumption of renewable energy in the country is limited to people mainly in remote areas under the assistance from several public, private and non-government organisations. Currently, the renewable energy contributes less than 1.0 per cent of the country's total electricity generation. The country is more dependent on non-renewable resources of energy, such as petroleum and natural gas, to meet the demand for power. The contribution of renewable sources of energy to power generation in Bangladesh is very little.
The government should target that by the year 2020, 10 per cent of total electricity will come from renewable resources. The number of solar system installations in the country is on the rise. Biogas plants are now popular in rural areas. More steps can be taken to popularise the proven solar water heating system, solar cooker or solar dryer. It requires proper planning from the government and the non-government organisations (NGOs) at the grssroots level.
If foreign investment can be ensured, Bangladesh should go all-out to set up a nuclear power plant which is definitely a viable option. Side by side, the country must exploit renewable energy resources to generate electricity as mush as possible. With fast depletion of natural gas reserve, these options must be diligently weighed to meet the nagging energy demand of the country.
szkhan@thefinancialexpress-bd.com