Why keep coal unused?
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Khurshid Azam
IT is absurd that some 2.5 billion tonnes of high grade coal remain unutilised under the ground when energy shortage keeps the Bangladesh economy slow.
Economic growth becomes the casualty of such indecision, prompted by creation of unnecessary controversies. But for the political tumult witnessed two years ago and the economic slowdown during the last eighteen months of the caretaker administration, Bangladesh would have much higher economic growth only if energy supply matched the demand.
The severe shortage of gas and power resulted in underproduction by existing industries, discouraged their expansion, and frustrated new investment plans. The inadequate supply of energy remains the single biggest obstacle to accelerated growth performance of the Bangladesh economy.
Experts say that the country's proven reserves would be emptied in 15 years. Unless new reserves are found, Bangladesh should forget about gas. It is a wake-up call for the authorities to start coal utilisation without wasting time. But the indecision allowed the power crunch to deepen with a crippling effect on the economy.
It was totally unnecessary to raise the controversy that coal-fired power generation could pollute the environment. Coal continues to be a major source of power in neighbouring India. Australia depends on coal for the most of its power generation as do a host of other countries. The UK continues to get a good share of its energy supply from coal-fired power stations. The nuclear power stations, set up in the UK considering them to be non-pollutant, proved to be not so safe. The residents near the nuclear power stations complain about the hazards they pose to the environment.
Clean energy from any source is more than utopian realistic. The point is that a rapidly developing country like Bangladesh must develop its energy sources and on an urgent footing. But it has to meet the reasonable standards of environmental safety. The large coal deposits of Bangladesh would meet both the criteria. The coal deposits are equivalent to some 60 trillion tcf of gas. The fast depleting gas reserves need to be conserved for producing mainly fertilisers. The more abundant coal reserves could be used for power production.
For clean use of coal, affordable technologies are available now. The method of extraction can be chosen weighing different aspects involved. What is most important is to build energy security. The development of the coalfields in five places of the country cannot remain on hold indefinitely. A coal policy adoption cannot similarly be deferred while the country continues to suffer from a severe energy shortage.
Such delays are completely unacceptable. The hurdles on the path of using coal for power production, need to go and immediately.
IT is absurd that some 2.5 billion tonnes of high grade coal remain unutilised under the ground when energy shortage keeps the Bangladesh economy slow.
Economic growth becomes the casualty of such indecision, prompted by creation of unnecessary controversies. But for the political tumult witnessed two years ago and the economic slowdown during the last eighteen months of the caretaker administration, Bangladesh would have much higher economic growth only if energy supply matched the demand.
The severe shortage of gas and power resulted in underproduction by existing industries, discouraged their expansion, and frustrated new investment plans. The inadequate supply of energy remains the single biggest obstacle to accelerated growth performance of the Bangladesh economy.
Experts say that the country's proven reserves would be emptied in 15 years. Unless new reserves are found, Bangladesh should forget about gas. It is a wake-up call for the authorities to start coal utilisation without wasting time. But the indecision allowed the power crunch to deepen with a crippling effect on the economy.
It was totally unnecessary to raise the controversy that coal-fired power generation could pollute the environment. Coal continues to be a major source of power in neighbouring India. Australia depends on coal for the most of its power generation as do a host of other countries. The UK continues to get a good share of its energy supply from coal-fired power stations. The nuclear power stations, set up in the UK considering them to be non-pollutant, proved to be not so safe. The residents near the nuclear power stations complain about the hazards they pose to the environment.
Clean energy from any source is more than utopian realistic. The point is that a rapidly developing country like Bangladesh must develop its energy sources and on an urgent footing. But it has to meet the reasonable standards of environmental safety. The large coal deposits of Bangladesh would meet both the criteria. The coal deposits are equivalent to some 60 trillion tcf of gas. The fast depleting gas reserves need to be conserved for producing mainly fertilisers. The more abundant coal reserves could be used for power production.
For clean use of coal, affordable technologies are available now. The method of extraction can be chosen weighing different aspects involved. What is most important is to build energy security. The development of the coalfields in five places of the country cannot remain on hold indefinitely. A coal policy adoption cannot similarly be deferred while the country continues to suffer from a severe energy shortage.
Such delays are completely unacceptable. The hurdles on the path of using coal for power production, need to go and immediately.