State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid on Saturday said the next two years will be critical for the energy sector of the country, reports UNB.
"In the next two years, we must take a leap forward in executing all our plans amid huge challenges," he said while addressing a seminar titled, 'Highest utilisation of natural resources of Bangladesh: Philosophy of Bangabandhu' at the FBCCI Bhaban in the city.
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) organised the seminar, with its president Md Jashim Uddin in the chair.
State Minister Nasrul Hamid also expressed the hope that the country would overcome the gas crisis in the next two years.
"We'll bring unutilised gas from Bhola to Dhaka while the huge underground gas pipelines will be replaced with new ones," he said, adding that the pipeline project involves about Tk 120 billion.
About the power sector, Nasrul Hamid said that after the achievement of 100 per cent electricity coverage, the government's target is to provide uninterrupted and affordable electricity.
Echoing the views of the junior minister, Energy Secretary Dr Md Khairuzzaman Majumder said industries would not face any gas crisis from January 2026.
"We have already signed long-term contracts with Qatar and Oman and efforts are on to sign three more long-term deals," he said, adding that at the same time, preparation is at the final stage to sign more contracts to set up LNG terminals to enhance storage and unloading capacity.
Making a presentation on the topic, eminent energy expert Dr Badrul Imam said the country's two-third area still remains unexplored while the country is experiencing a huge gas crisis.
He said the best way to address the current gas crisis is to enhance local gas exploration.
But unfortunately exploration works are not getting due importance, he observed.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Sameer Sattar said initiatives should be taken immediately for gas exploration across the country with due importance.
Former vice president of FBCCI Dewan Sultan Ahmed said the Titas Gas authorities often launch drives to snap illegal gas connections. But they never disclose how long these consumers are using gas without any payment.
FBCCI advisor Abdul Haque said that despite different initiatives taken, there is no major progress in gas exploration.
Businessman Abul Hasnat said that it is very unfortunate that many businessmen submit files for renewable energy projects at the ministry. But files move at a snail's pace. Even some files remain at one place for more than six months.
