UNB, Dhaka :
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid has said that the government will be taking up more large scale renewable power projects beside the coal-fired base-load power projects as part of their new strategy.
The new plan is a part of the government’s long-term strategy regarding the power sector, he said while addressing “Meet the Reporters” at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
The junior minister expressed his resentment at the recent withdrawal of 41 Spanish staff members of Spanish company Isolux from three power plant projects on security grounds.
“There is no security problem in any power projects as those are KPI. Many nationals from different countries have been working in different projects. But none withdrew their staff from anywhere,” said Nasrul Hamid.
He mentioned that the Spanish firm withdrew them violating the terms the contracts and punitive measures will be taken against Isolux after his scheduled meeting with the Spanish ambassador, who is due to meet on Sunday.
DRU president Sakhawat Hossain Badsha and general secretary Elias Hossain also spoke at the function.
The state minister said the Power Division has been in trial & error mode trying to evolving its correct strategy.
Currently its aim to generate 24,000 MW of electricity by 2021 remains unchanged,
as its 50 percent electricity will come from coal. But side by side, megawatt size solar and other renewable energy projects will be implemented keeping in mind the future power generation strategy.
He said, technology in power generation has been changing fast. May be after 20 years, none will generate power from coal considering environmental issues. Then what will happen. That’s why we’re taking up large renewable energy projects as those are environment friendly, he said adding, “We want to harness from every source.”
Many developed countries have already changed their strategy and started shifting from coal to renewable, he said. He said Bangladesh has been transforming from political Bangladesh to developed Bangladesh.
“My intention is to provide electricity at a very reasonable rate. We’re studying different options,” he said. He admitted that lot of hazards are involved in coal import for power generation.
About Bangladesh’s move to import electricity, he said the government has been making its effort to import electricity from neighbouring countries. “In this case, we’re giving through on import from Nepal and Bhutan. But Indian help is essential to make it a success.”
Nasrul Hamid mentioned that Bhutanese economic minister will be visiting Dhaka next week and he will discuss the issue.
About extraction of coal from underground mines, he said the issue requires political decision and subsequent preparation. The government is now thinking to implement a pilot project to extract coal through open pit mine at the northern part of Barapukuria coal mine.
“If it is successful, then we’ll take next project,” he said that at present Barapukuria produces 3,500 metrict tons per day. It the country needs 35,000 tons coal to meet its demand.
Turning down any possibility of reducing fuel prices, the state minister said that, instead, the government plans to improve the quality of petrol to 99 grade from 80 grade to make an adjustment.
Rejecting any idea of harmful environmental pollution by theongoing Rampal power project, Hamid said he wants to sit with the opposing parties and also take them to the Rampal site to really see if the project was having a bad impact on Sundarbans.
On the issue of extracting oil and gas in the country’s offshore and onshore areas, Nasrul Hamid said the government will again go for inviting a 2D survey in the offshore areas after receiving some instruction from the Prime Minister’s Office.
He said, the country will get an additional 300 mmcfd gas from onshore areas through different efforts. But that will not be enough to meet the demand. That’s why the government is vigorously trying to import LNG from aboard.
He mentioned that a team is working on LNG import and the government will sign a final contract by December this year so that the imported LNG can come within the next 18 months.
About the Niko case regarding Tangratila gas field blowout, the junior minister said the government has appointed a top line lawyer to wage the legal battle.
Responding to a question, Nasrul Hamid said Japan has been providing a huge support to implement different power plant projects as part of its strategy on Big-B economic zone as it has a plan to shift its industries in Bangladesh in future.
About a question on LPG, he said a policy is being framed by the energy ministry on use and price of LPG. it will be submitted to the PM office soon. After approval, the government will set a price of LPG for its use in the motor vehicles.
State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid has said that the government will be taking up more large scale renewable power projects beside the coal-fired base-load power projects as part of their new strategy.
The new plan is a part of the government’s long-term strategy regarding the power sector, he said while addressing “Meet the Reporters” at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU).
The junior minister expressed his resentment at the recent withdrawal of 41 Spanish staff members of Spanish company Isolux from three power plant projects on security grounds.
“There is no security problem in any power projects as those are KPI. Many nationals from different countries have been working in different projects. But none withdrew their staff from anywhere,” said Nasrul Hamid.
He mentioned that the Spanish firm withdrew them violating the terms the contracts and punitive measures will be taken against Isolux after his scheduled meeting with the Spanish ambassador, who is due to meet on Sunday.
DRU president Sakhawat Hossain Badsha and general secretary Elias Hossain also spoke at the function.
The state minister said the Power Division has been in trial & error mode trying to evolving its correct strategy.
Currently its aim to generate 24,000 MW of electricity by 2021 remains unchanged,
as its 50 percent electricity will come from coal. But side by side, megawatt size solar and other renewable energy projects will be implemented keeping in mind the future power generation strategy.
He said, technology in power generation has been changing fast. May be after 20 years, none will generate power from coal considering environmental issues. Then what will happen. That’s why we’re taking up large renewable energy projects as those are environment friendly, he said adding, “We want to harness from every source.”
Many developed countries have already changed their strategy and started shifting from coal to renewable, he said. He said Bangladesh has been transforming from political Bangladesh to developed Bangladesh.
“My intention is to provide electricity at a very reasonable rate. We’re studying different options,” he said. He admitted that lot of hazards are involved in coal import for power generation.
About Bangladesh’s move to import electricity, he said the government has been making its effort to import electricity from neighbouring countries. “In this case, we’re giving through on import from Nepal and Bhutan. But Indian help is essential to make it a success.”
Nasrul Hamid mentioned that Bhutanese economic minister will be visiting Dhaka next week and he will discuss the issue.
About extraction of coal from underground mines, he said the issue requires political decision and subsequent preparation. The government is now thinking to implement a pilot project to extract coal through open pit mine at the northern part of Barapukuria coal mine.
“If it is successful, then we’ll take next project,” he said that at present Barapukuria produces 3,500 metrict tons per day. It the country needs 35,000 tons coal to meet its demand.
Turning down any possibility of reducing fuel prices, the state minister said that, instead, the government plans to improve the quality of petrol to 99 grade from 80 grade to make an adjustment.
Rejecting any idea of harmful environmental pollution by theongoing Rampal power project, Hamid said he wants to sit with the opposing parties and also take them to the Rampal site to really see if the project was having a bad impact on Sundarbans.
On the issue of extracting oil and gas in the country’s offshore and onshore areas, Nasrul Hamid said the government will again go for inviting a 2D survey in the offshore areas after receiving some instruction from the Prime Minister’s Office.
He said, the country will get an additional 300 mmcfd gas from onshore areas through different efforts. But that will not be enough to meet the demand. That’s why the government is vigorously trying to import LNG from aboard.
He mentioned that a team is working on LNG import and the government will sign a final contract by December this year so that the imported LNG can come within the next 18 months.
About the Niko case regarding Tangratila gas field blowout, the junior minister said the government has appointed a top line lawyer to wage the legal battle.
Responding to a question, Nasrul Hamid said Japan has been providing a huge support to implement different power plant projects as part of its strategy on Big-B economic zone as it has a plan to shift its industries in Bangladesh in future.
About a question on LPG, he said a policy is being framed by the energy ministry on use and price of LPG. it will be submitted to the PM office soon. After approval, the government will set a price of LPG for its use in the motor vehicles.
