UNB, Dhaka :
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid on Friday said the government will utilise every available option to meet the country’s growing energy demand.
“That’s why we’re moving to import LNG (liquified natural gas) and coal,” he said while addressing a seminar titled ‘Energy Security: Blue economy, LNG & BPC’ at Media Bazar Hall of the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city.
Power and Energy Ministry organised the seminar on the occasion of a three-day programme making the Power & Energy Week that began on Thursday.
Held with Energy Division’s additional secretary Nazim Uddin Chowdhury in the chair, the seminar was addressed, among others, by Dhaka University Professor Dr Badrul Imam, Petrobangla chairman Istiaque Ahmed, former chairman Mosharrraf Hossain, former managing director of Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) Aminur Rahman and former Petrobangla director Imaduddin Ahmed.
Nasrul Hamid said the government is working for meeting the energy demand keeping in mind the requirement of 2030 when power generation will hit 40,000 MW.
He said the government prefers the import of coal for power generation as local coal extraction is costlier than import. “If we import coal, it will cost $43 per tonne. It’ll cost $66 per ton if we extract it locally. So, considering the cost, we have decided to import coal.”
He also defended the decision for import of LNG despite its cost will be over $14 per unit saying that many developed countries are now turning to this clean fuel from coal and nuclear.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Badrul Imam said the government should exhaust all other options before going for the import of costly LNG.
Referring to Prof Tamim’s study, he said, “The country will spend $16 billion a year in 2030 if we go for LNG import.” Former Petrobangla chairman Mosharraf Hossain said foreign companies are not showing interest to come for deep sea exploration due to lower gas prices offered by the government.
Meghna Petroleum Managing Director D Sharif Ashrafuzzam and Petrobangla LNG Cell’s Kazi Anwarul Azim made separate keynote presentations at the seminar on LNG and petroleum issues.
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid on Friday said the government will utilise every available option to meet the country’s growing energy demand.
“That’s why we’re moving to import LNG (liquified natural gas) and coal,” he said while addressing a seminar titled ‘Energy Security: Blue economy, LNG & BPC’ at Media Bazar Hall of the Bangabandhu International Conference Center in the city.
Power and Energy Ministry organised the seminar on the occasion of a three-day programme making the Power & Energy Week that began on Thursday.
Held with Energy Division’s additional secretary Nazim Uddin Chowdhury in the chair, the seminar was addressed, among others, by Dhaka University Professor Dr Badrul Imam, Petrobangla chairman Istiaque Ahmed, former chairman Mosharrraf Hossain, former managing director of Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) Aminur Rahman and former Petrobangla director Imaduddin Ahmed.
Nasrul Hamid said the government is working for meeting the energy demand keeping in mind the requirement of 2030 when power generation will hit 40,000 MW.
He said the government prefers the import of coal for power generation as local coal extraction is costlier than import. “If we import coal, it will cost $43 per tonne. It’ll cost $66 per ton if we extract it locally. So, considering the cost, we have decided to import coal.”
He also defended the decision for import of LNG despite its cost will be over $14 per unit saying that many developed countries are now turning to this clean fuel from coal and nuclear.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Badrul Imam said the government should exhaust all other options before going for the import of costly LNG.
Referring to Prof Tamim’s study, he said, “The country will spend $16 billion a year in 2030 if we go for LNG import.” Former Petrobangla chairman Mosharraf Hossain said foreign companies are not showing interest to come for deep sea exploration due to lower gas prices offered by the government.
Meghna Petroleum Managing Director D Sharif Ashrafuzzam and Petrobangla LNG Cell’s Kazi Anwarul Azim made separate keynote presentations at the seminar on LNG and petroleum issues.
