The government has been working relentlessly to ensure supply of quality, sustainable electricity and energy at affordable price across the country.
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid made the remarks recently while joining a webinar on Formulation of National Energy Policy organized by the Center for Energy Studies of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET).
“The government is working relentlessly to provide quality and sustainable electricity and energy at affordable prices. It is not possible to supply gas to all parts of the country through pipeline, so use of LPG is increasing,” he said.
“We have requested the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission to regulate prices of LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas),” he said.
Nasrul Hamid said some 1.63 crore consumers of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) are in life line and the government is giving subsidy to them, adding, “Considering socio-economic condition of the country, there is no scope to come out of the subsidy now.”
“Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the power and energy sector has created an enormous space out of our imagination. We need more skilled manpower to deal this sector,” he said.
The state minister said use of technology would be increased in line with the Vision-2021 and Vision-2041, adding, “If automation, smart grid, SCADA center and underground cabling are implemented in the power and energy sector, the entire sector will be changed radically.”
He said that huge primary energy is needed to keep up with the pace of development. “LNG is being imported through floating terminals. Land based LNG terminals are being constructed. The issue of LPG terminal set up is also going ahead. At the same time, natural gas exploration work is going on in parallel,” Nasrul added.
He further said that the government is attaching special importance to the expansion of renewable energy, adding, “Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is also giving important for clean energy, green energy and energy efficiency after becoming Chairman of the Climate Vulnerable Forum.”
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s directions have brought the success of solar home system in the country,” the state minister said.
Urging to ensure united efforts to expand electric vehicles in the country, he said electric vehicles are more environment-friendly, economical and comparatively efficient.
Professor M Tamim presented the keynote in the webinar and discussed the policy and its facts and figure, feature, context of policy adoption in Bangladesh, complexity of energy policy development, responsive and persuasive decisions etc.
Chaired by Vice Chancellor Prof Satya Prasad Majumder, the programme was also addressed, among others, by Prof Ijaz Hossain and Prof M Nurul Islam. Director of Center for Energy Studies Prof Farsim M moderated the webinar.
