State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that all liquid fuel-based power plants will be phased out within next two years. He said this at a program at Biduyt Bhaban in the capital on Saturday organised by Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB).
The function was also addressed by eminent energy experts Dr M Tamim and Dr Badrul Imam, senior energy secretary Mahbub Hossain, power secretary Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Mahbubur Rahman and Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain.
Nasrul Hamid, "We think, we can come out of all liquid fuel-fired power plants in next two years", he told a seminar titled: "Energy Transition: Global Context." FERB chairman Shamim Jahangir presided over the function while its executive director Rishan Nasrullah conducted the event.
The State Minister said initially 1000 MW diesel-fired power plants will be phased out in one year.
He said three issues are being considered in dealing with energy transition in global context.
These are technological advancement, providing energy at affordable price and at the fastest possible time.
He mentioned that the government wants the private sector's more involvement in energy business.
That's why import of all kind of energy products have now been open for private sector.
"Private sector can import all kinds of liquid fuel as well as LNG alongside the LPG. They can set up their own establishment and supply to dealers for selling in petrol pumps", Nasrul Hamid said.
He also emphases on more use of electric vehicles (EV) replacing the existing diesel-run buses and other transports.
"The public sector bus and train should come up first to use the EV as its energy efficiency is 80 percent while diesel-run vehicles efficient is only 20 percent", he said.
Making his presentation on "Energy Transition: Global Context" Dr Tamim said Bangladesh should not haste in decision making based on current crisis.
He also said demand forecast based on sector wise bottom up growth projection on a 5-10 year time frame should be undertaken.
"The team should do a comprehensive world resource inflow and outflow analysis", he added.
Energy secretary Mahbub Hossain said the government has taken steps to conduct 2D and 3D exploration across the country to acquire adequate data before inviting foreign companies to invest in gas exploration.
He said under the ongoing programmes, there will be about 600 MMCFD added to the national grid by 2026.
Power secretary Habibur Rahman said the government is trying to replace some 2000 diesel-run irrigation pumps with solar system.
"But we have to face a huge challenge in this regard", he added.
Latest News