M2K TECHNOLOGY & TRADING CO., BANGLADESH.

M2K TECHNOLOGY & TRADING CO. PTE LTD., SINGAPORE.

BANGLADESH: Amin Court Building (2nd floor), 62-63 Motijheel Commercial Area, Dhaka -1000, Bangladesh. Tel :+880-2-5716-0955 Fax : +880-2-5716-0966 E-mail : [email protected] SINGAPORE:

Block 428, Clementi Avenue 3 # 10-430, Singapore-120428. Tel:+65-8299-8715 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.m2kttc.com

WE REPRESENT: Phenix Technologies Inc., USA.

Phenix Systems AG, Switzerland. www.phenixtech.com & www.phenixsystems.com

Doble Engineering Company., USA. www.doble.com

Vanguard Instruments Company Inc., USA.

www.vanguard-instruments.com

Manta Test Systems Inc., USA.

www.mantatest.com

Morgan Schaffer, Canada.

www.morganschaffer.com

Globecore GmbH, Germany.

www.globecore.de

Larsen & Toubro Limited, India. www.lntebg.com

Powerchina Nuclear Engineering Company Limited, P.R. China. www.powerchina-ne.com

Editor Mollah M Amzad Hossain Fortnightly Magazine, Vol 18, Issue 19, March 16-31 Advisory Editor Anwarul Islam Tarek Mortuza Ahmad Faruque Saiful Amin International Editor Dr. Nafis Ahmed Contributing Editors Saleque Sufi Online Editor GSM Shamsuzzoha (Nasim) Managing Editor Afroza Hossain We are moving towards an import-dependent scenario and if the current trend Deputy Editor Syed Mansur Hashim continues, primary energy import bill will reach USD20 billion by 2030. It is Reporters totally unsustainable and will play havoc with balance of payments. Experts Arunima Hossain believe that the geological structure of the country suggests that Bangladesh is Assistant Online Editor not suffering from a scarcity of gas reserves, rather it is misinformation that is Aditya Hossain being propagated deliberately. Failure to explore gas has been done to serve Manager A & A interests of vested groups and this runs contrary to the vision of Bangabandhu, Md. Ariful Islam the father of the nation. Design & Graphics Md. Monirul Islam As we stand on the eve of our golden jubillee as an independent nation, Photography Bulbul Ahmed excuses are being made to derail exploration of natural gas and coal. Can Production Bangladesh afford to become dependent on international markets for its energy Mufazzal Hossain Joy supplies which would be subject to price volatility and geopolitics? Bangladeshi Computer Graphics energy experts believe that for Bangladesh to retain its independence, it must Md. Uzzal Hossain persue a policy that will prioritize exploration efforts — both onshore and Circulation Assistant Khokan Chandra Das offshore, adopt conducive policies to man the energy sector with professionals Editorial, News & Commercial and experienced technical hands who can advise the government correctly. Room 509, Eastern Trade Center 56 Inner Circular Road (VIP Road) Naya Paltan. GPO Box : 677 Dhaka-1000, Bangladesh Tel & Fax : 88-02-58314532 Email: [email protected] [email protected] Website: www.ep-bd.com Price Bangladesh: Tk 50, SAARC: US$ 6, Asia: US$ 8, Europe: US$ 10, North America, Africa & Australia: US$ 14

21 9 45 SREDA has drafted a Solar Geological structure of Bangladesh as a Deep down in his heart, Energy Roadmap with a target to riverine delta suggests that Bangladesh Bangabandhu had firm generate 30,000 MW power by should not have crisis of gas as being conviction that the country propagated. Only non-technical bureaucrats would require exploration and 2041. The draft has been exploitation of own primary fuel submitted to the Power Division can be convinced that Bangladesh is running resources to ensure sustainable for review and approval. out of gas resources. Practicing geologists ’ economic development. With Recognizing its contribution to would not vouch for that. Bangladesh s this end in view, he started the power generation, a section geology is a replica of Nigeria and Malaysia. laying foundation for an energy of experts considered it Our crisis is manmade and deliberate. Gas and power organization in the depends on other conditions exploration has been neglected deliberately war-ravaged country … while others termed it ambitious. for serving the interest of a particular vested Mohammad Farashuddin tells EP More on Special Report interest groups. Encouraged by the readers and patrons, the EP would continue bringing out Green Pages to contribute to the country’s efforts in its journey towards environment-friendly energy. Contents

39 Beximco, City Bank Capital Sign Deal to Issue TK 30B Sukuk Bond

39 UN Calls on Bangladesh to Put Renewables First

40 Promotion of Renewables Requires Common Int’l Platform: Nasrul

41 Wärtsilä to Install Floating Battery Storage Solution in SE Asia

Contents

5 WORLD WATCH 29 SDGs Latest Development in Climate Vulnerability, Covid World and Implementation of SDG Maternal mortality and Child 6 SNAPSHOT mortality Latest Development 33 REPORT 9 COVER Lub­rref's Profit Climbs 50 years of Energy Sector 13pc in July­Dec Policies Deserve Debugging To Face Future Challenges 35 Bashundhara LPG to Help Replace Coal in Brick 15 COVER ARTICLE Production Increasing Fuel Import Dependence May Derail 37 RLNG Hits Record High Development Endeavors Production

21 SPECIAL REPORT 43 CLIMATE Draft Solar Power Roadmap Climate Change in Targets 29,454MW Bangladesh to ‘Impact Int’l Generation by 2041 Security’: Muniruzzaman

44 Chevron Launches $300m 25 ARTICLE Low Carbon Tech Fund Draft Solar Energy Roadmap 2021­41 Even More Ambitious 45 INTERVIEW Target Can Be Achieved Dr. Mohammad Farashuddin Economist Seventh Governor of 27 CLIMATE Bangladesh Bank Climate Displacement in Founder of East West Bangladesh University (EWU) Worldwatch Siemens Buys Out C&S Gazprom Reelects Miller as Electric for Rs2,100cr Management Committee Siemens Ltd, the flag- Chairman ship listed company of Siemens AG in Gazprom has reelected Alexey Miller as chairman of India, said recently it the management committee for a 5-year term starting has acquired 99.22 May 31, per cent stake of C&S 2021. Electric Ltd from its promoters for Rs Miller 2,100 crore. has served The acquisition will address rising demand for low-voltage power distribution in India. "Apart from gaining access to the in the Indian market, the transaction is also aimed at creating an ex- role port hub," Siemens said in a statement. since 2001. The regulatory approval from Competition Commission of India (CCI) was received in August last year, it added. "Siemens Ltd has closed the acquisition of C&S Electric Ltd ExxonMobil to Cut 7pc of after receiving the approval of CCI on August 20, 2020 and successful completion of further closing steps." S’pore Workforce C&S Electric Ltd is a leading manufacturer of electrical and ExxonMobil said recently it will cut about 7 per cent of its electronic equipment. workforce in Singapore, as “unprecedented market condi- tions” due to the COVID-19 pandemic accelerate ongoing re- India’s Coal Import organization. About 300 positions will be impacted by the end of 2021, the Declines 12pc oil major said. India’s coal import registered a drop of 11.59 per cent to 180.84 ExxonMobil has more than 4,000 employees in Singapore, million tonnes (MT) in the first 10 months of the ongoing fiscal. which houses the company’s largest refinery with a capacity of about The company had imported 204.55 MT of coal in April-January 592,000 barrels period of the previous fiscal year, according to provisional data per day. compiled by mjunction services. “This is a diffi- mjunction–a joint venture of Tata Steel and SAIL–is a B2B e- cult but neces- commerce company and also publishes research reports on coal sary step to and steel verticals. improve our However, India’s coal imports in January increased to 20.05 MT company’s com- as against 18.67 MT in year-ago period, it said. petitiveness and strengthen the Commenting on the coal import trend, mjunction MD and CEO foundation of our business for future success,” said Ms Geral- Vinaya Varma said, “There was a drop in January volumes as dine Chin, chairman and managing director of ExxonMobil compared to the previous month (December). This was mainly Asia Pacific. due to the firmness in seaborne prices. “We are providing transitional support to our colleagues who While there is steady are impacted and are focused on getting through this chal- demand in the mar- lenging time.” ket, the import trend Singapore continues to be a strategic location for ExxonMobil will largely depend with “a world-scale manufacturing complex and a talented on the movements workforce”, the company said in a statement. in international prices, freight rates “The company remains committed to providing energy and products and also domestic that are essential for society, while managing operations safely and supply.” responsibly, including reducing the risks of climate change,” it said.

March 16, 2021 5 Snapshot Yeafesh Osman Hands Over LafargeHolcim BD Net Profit Up by 36pc Bangabandhu Science The Board of the Directors of LafargeHolcim Bangladesh Lim- ited in its meeting held recently recommended 10% final and Technology Fellowship cash dividend for the year ended on 31 December 2020, says a press release. "The Company has demonstrated resilient result with its focus on HEALTH, COST and CASH. Our initiatives to focus on dig- ital and innovation, provided further impetus to the outstanding results. We are very proud of the agility and great team work of our employees and the strong support of our customers and suppliers," the press release quoted LafargeHolcim Bangladesh CEO Rajesh K Surana as saying on the occasion. Net Sales during the year reduced by 9% to 16,222 mBDT compared to 17,840 mBDT for the year 2019 due to COVID- 19 lock down and supply disruptions. Science and Technology Affairs Minister Yeafesh Osman handed over Bangabandhu Science and Technology Fellow- Operating EBIT reached to mBDT 2,954, a growth of 1% over ship, National Science and Technology (NST) Fellowship and last year and the Profit after Tax for the year registered an im- special research donations to students for the 2020-21 fiscal pressive growth of 36% to 2,361 mBDT against 1,737 mBDT, year at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the city on behalf of on the back of various cost reduction and amalgamation ben- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently. efit of taxation. Prime Minister joined the function virtually from her official residence Ganobhaban. Teesta Solar, Confidence Infrastruc- ture Sing Deal for Transmission Line Automation to Ensure Uninterrupted Power Supply: Nasrul State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nas- rul Hamid recently said automation in the power sector will ensure uninterrupted electricity supply in the country. “Access to electricity will be ensured to all people even in the regions of inaccessible hilly and isolated island through submarine cable and solar mini grid by coming December,” he said this while speaking at a virtual seminar.

Institute of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) organized the seminar Teesta Solar Limited, a subsidiary of BEXIMCO Power Com- on Forth Industrial Revolution: Bangladesh Perspective with pany Limited, has awarded Confidence Infrastructure Limited its President Md Nurul Huda in the chair. the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) work Posts and Telecommunications Minister Mostafa Jabbar was of 35.35km 132KV double circuit transmission line associated also present as the chief guest, while state minister for Infor- with a 200MW (AC) utility scale solar PV plant from Sundar- mation and Communication ganj, Gaibandha to Rangpur Grid Substation, Rangpur. Technology (ICT) Zunaid A signing ceremony was held in this regard at Teesta Solar Ahmed Palak as the special Limited’s corporate office at Dhanmondi, Dhaka recently. guest. Managing Director of Teesta Solar M Rafiqul Islam and Managing Awami League Science and Director of Confidence Infrastructure Salman Karim signed the Technology Affairs Secretary contract for their respective parties. Senior executives from both and former President of IEB the companies and BEXIMCO Group were present. Engineer Md Abdus Sabur This agreement is an achievement for both the companies as and Director General of it is one of the key milestones in developing the country’s Power Cell and Vice President largest grid-tied solar power plant, said a press release. of IEB Engineer Mohammad Both the companies have agreed to work in close collabora- Hossain spoke in the seminar. tion to make this project successful.

March 16, 2021 6

Snapshot

BIMSTEC Secretary General Energypac Celebrates Int’l Calls on PM Hasina Women’s Day The newly appointed BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Secre- tary General Tenzin Lekphell paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at Ganabhaban recently. The Prime Minister congratulated Mr. Lekphell on his appoint- ment as the Secretary General of BIMSTEC. The Secretary General updated the Prime Minister on the up- coming BIMSTEC activities including Energypac Power Generation Limited has celebrated Interna- the 17th BIMSTEC tional Women's Day in a befitting manner with colorful Ministerial Meet- events. The event was organized at Energy Point in Tejgaon ing, which will dis- Industrial Area of the capital recently. cuss the modalities President of Bangladesh Lekhika Sangha and noted litterateur and tentative time- Dilara Mesbah was present on the occasion as the chief guest frame for conven- while renowned Rabindra Sangeet artist Rezwana Choudhury ing the Fifth Bannya and Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra musician Shaheen BIMSTEC Summit Samad attended the event via video call. in Sri Lanka. Humayun Rashid, Managing Director and CEO of Energypac He apprised on the Power Generation Limited, Engineer Rabiul Alam, Chairman progress made in of the company, Director Enamul Haque Chowdhury and Di- the areas of cooperation since the Fourth BIMSTEC Summit rector Nurul Aktar graced the occasion with their presence. held in 2018. The Secretary General also congratulated the Prime Minister for leading the emergence of Bangladesh from a least developed country to a developing one. Final Shipment of ZIO-Podolsk Doreen Power Wins ICMAB Best Equipment for RNPP ZIO-Podolsk JSC manufactured and shipped equipment for Corporate Award 2019 the second power unit of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).

The last set of large-sized products - the fourth MSR SPP-1200 and the second high-pressure heater HPH-K-5 - was shipped to the Republic of Bangladesh. The Moisture Separator Reheater is designed to dry and re- heat wet steam after the turbine's high-pressure cylinder. SPP- 1200 is shipped in three parts: a separator weighing 41 tons, Doreen Power Generation and Systems Limited won the a first-stage reheater (unit weight 86 tons), and a second-stage 'ICMAB Best Corporate Award 2019' for its highly transparent reheater (unit weight 105 tonnes). and efficient financial statements and expertise in corporate High-pressure heaters HPH-K-5 are elements of the turbine governance. hall of a nuclear power plant. HPH is a large-size product The company received the award for the second time from over 11 m long and weighing 120 t. It performs the function ICMAB in the power generation category, says a press release. of heating the feed water supplied to the steam generator by cooling and condensing the steam taken from the intermedi- The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of ate stages of the turbine. Bangladesh (ICMAB) hosted the awards ceremony on Thurs- day at Radisson Blu Water Garden Hotel in Dhaka. The total weight of shipped products amounted to 350 tons. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was present at the ceremony The equipment has a 50-year operating life. Design docu- as the Chief Guest and delivered the award to Afroz Alam, mentation was developed by the specialists of the Depart- Chief Financial Officer of Doreen Power Generations and Sys- ment of Nuclear Engineering Equipment ZIO-Podolsk JSC, tems Limited. they also provide design support for manufacturing.

March 16, 2021 8 Cover

he annual primary fuel import bill of Bangladesh would in- Tcrease to around US$ 20 bil- lion by 2030 if the country fails to expedite exploration and utilization of own fuel resources, and continues to depend more on imported fuel. The source of fund to meet the bills is not guaranteed yet. A realistic as- sessment on the issue has become essential now to prepare for facing the challenges of meeting the energy needs of the developing country.

EP Report

March 16, 2021 9

The rough estimate was made based on SCAN THE QR CODE is gradually getting reliant on imported the country’s Power System Master Plan TO WATCH VIDEO primary fuel. This creates real risks of (PSMP) and revealed at a virtual seminar supply disruption and price shock. on “50 Years of Bangladesh Energy Sec- Energy pricing is another important as- tor” held on 6 March 2021. Energy & pect. From 1980, the country started Power magazine in collaboration with switching from liquid fuel to gas on a M2K Technology and Trading organized massive scale. Gas supply at the begin- the “EP Talks”, moderated by EP Editor ning was almost one third of liquid fuel. Mollah Amzad Hossain. Yes, it had facilitated industrialization During the last 50 years, the country immensely. But, at the same time, it also registered significant economic devel- created inefficient use and wastage. If opment fueled mostly by the domestic somehow economic price of gas could petroleum resources. Most recently, be ensured, it could have been used however, the country increasingly get- grinding to a standstill after 2000. Only more efficiently. ting dependent on imports to meet the one mentionable gas field (Bangura) has The government does not have actual growing demand for energy in the econ- been discovered since then. Exploration capacity to generate 21,000MW power omy amid poor performance in explo- activities became less than bare mini- ration of local resources. Taking part in the discussion, Dr. M. Tamim, Energy Affairs Special Assistant to the last caretaker government, ob- served that making Bapex a competent exploration company is no longer pos- sible. Creation of an exploration and production company under exclusive as is now being claimed. The peak gen- mum since then due to unnecessary de- government company was bound to eration last year was 13,000MW. Up to bates. Gas export proposal was a mere fail. If an exploration company need to estimated 5,000MW generation capac- market signal. The IOCs would have seek government purchase committee ity at peak hours of that day could not made massive investments in explo- approval for procuring even a drill bit it be utilized due to the forced, unforced ration activities had Bangladesh given cannot work. How can an E&P com- outages and fuel crisis. This means that export permission reserving the first pany work if for all purchases it needs the effective reserve capacity was right of refusal. The IOCs sought guar- government approval? Rather, it should merely about 13%. In that case, if we antee for gas marketing. On the other be restructured and converted into a consider actual derated capacity at management company to coordi- 20,000MW, about 10,000MW nate exploration and develop- remains idle. That is not true. It is ment of petroleum resources. It a theoretical figure only. The gov- can ensure quality and safety. It ernment is stating this for gaining needs strong managerial skills de- political mileage only. Several velopment. Professionals get old-aged and fuel-inefficient higher salary doing the same power plants should have retired works elsewhere. Salary and ben- by now. Actual generation capac- efits of competent and skilled pro- ity would have emerged if these fessionals must be upgraded. were done. Exploration company cannot op- erate through following pure gov- There are flaws in the demand ernment rules and regulations. Professor M. Tamim Dr. Badrul Imam forecasting too. There can be changes and of course, rapid Looking back in retrospect, we changes. Why we are forecasting for 20 find that once there was a huge debate hand, the government also failed to take years? What kind of plan we are making over gas export. Ultimately that debate decision on exploration and utilization if we cannot plan accurately for 5 years? led to exploration activities almost of own coal. Consequently, Bangladesh In one Power System Master Plan

March 16, 2021 11 (PSMP), the demand forecast for 2025 was 20,000MW. In 8 years, another PSMP forecasted it as 30,000MW. We have to be extremely careful about fore- casting. The government is leaning to- wards LNG. For accessing to the spot market of LNG, the government has to change policies to allow Petrobangla purchase LNG from spot market within a short notice. It will take two months if this has to go through the purchase committee. We need a strong commit- Golam Sabbir Sattar Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir Abul Kasem Khan tee for this. Own primary fuel for self-sustaining en- ergy sector would be far better option. It will create far more reliable and sus- tainable energy security if we can achieve that. For this to happen , we need to significantly improve own ex- ploration capacity. The government management of energy sector is very im- portant. I must appreciate courageous plan of the government for bringing the entire country under power supply coverage. Muqtadir Ali Mortuza Ahmed Faruque Khondkar Abdus Saleque Once I also criticized the modus oper- nadi. These days nothing can be done better if we can go along bottom up we could not yet supply gas to Kushtia, without power accessibility. Economic planning. We must be careful about Jessore and Khulna even after construct- activities, social life get stalled without pricing of imported fuel. Integrated re- ing expensive transmission infrastruc- electricity. Telemedicine, telemarketing, source planning should be the key. ture 10 years back. The gas grid is now distance education and teleconferenc- Dr. Tamim observed that long term plan- being expanded to Rangpur and Syed- ing are being done for availability of ning is not working well for Bangladesh. pur. GTCL is planning to expand the gas electricity at every nook and corner of Ten years planning having more realistic grid to Gopalganj. the country. demand forecast with provision for 5- Right professionals are not getting due Prof. Tamim suggested adopting afford- year mid-term review may work much recognitions in the energy sector. Non- able fuel mix for ensuring sustainable better. This can be reviewed once a year technical bureaucrats are occupying po- supply of quality power at affordable and realistic action plans can be sitions suitable for technical resources. price. It is impossible for Bangladesh to launched for the following year. Consequently, right decisions are not ever achieve 100% renewable energy. I Muqtadir Ali, former Chairman of being taken on time. Implementations of do not find any appropriate technology Petrobangla and BPC, mentioned that projects are getting delayed. and logic for that. For a country of lim- the energy sector made major contribu- ited resources, how can expensive tow- tions to Bangladesh’s success in the agri- We may not possibly get any large gas ers be built on the lakes? We can try for culture and industrial sectors. Supply of resources at onshore like Titas or minimizing carbon footprint as far as liquid fuel and electricity could turn Bibiyana. But we definitely have more practical. But achieving zero carbon en- northern region of Bangladesh as food resources at offshore. We could do vir- ergy portfolio is impossible for grain-growing basket. But our major cri- tually nothing as far as exploration in Bangladesh. We have to have a proper sis lies in lack of properly imple- vast potential offshore. The influential mix of own coal, gas and imported LNG. mentable plans and strategies for energy groups always create impediments. Flexible and more diversified sources of generation and supply. Everything is They always influence the government fuels would be better. Multiple options done on adhoc basis and every time we decision-making process. We could do have multiple influences. It would be have crisis management. Consequently, nothing as these groups’ had frustrated

March 16, 2021 12 the Petrobangla endeavors. The BPC Prof. Dr. Golam Sabbir Sattar, Director alone cannot be held responsible. It could not implement SPM yet in 2021 at Institute of Environment Studies, Ra- does not have the capacity to explore though conceiving it in 1980. jshahi University, pointed out that the tight structures. The Bapex-alone geopolitics is an integral part of global policy to explore onshore resources was Dr. Badrul Imam, Honorary Professor of energy sector and natural resources ex- Geology of Dhaka University, said the not appropriate. The IOCs must be en- geological structure of Bangladesh as a ploitation. We are unable to exploit our gaged along with Bapex for onshore ex- riverine delta suggests that Bangladesh superior quality coal reserve. We have ploration. IOCs should be engaged on should not have crisis of gas as being to get out of mentally corrupt nature. stand alone or as joint venture partner propagated. Only non-technical bu- World vision of getting rid of fossil fuel of Bapex for exploration in the hilly re- reaucrats can be convinced that did not achieve credible momentum. gions. It depends on the government’s Bangladesh is running out of gas re- The present reality evidences that the green signal. Like offshore, the PSC bid- sources. Practicing geologists would not world cannot achieve decarbonized en- ding should be done at onshore deeper ’ vouch for that. Bangladesh s geology is ergy sector (zero emission) by 2050. prospects and frontier areas in onshore. a replica of Nigeria and Malaysia. Our For these, required incentives and terms crisis is manmade and deliberate. Gas Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Professor at should be included in model the PSC. exploration has been neglected deliber- the Department of Development Studies, ately for serving the interest of a partic- Dhaka University and Chairperson of Engr. Khondkar Abdus Saleque, former ular vested interest groups. Unnayan Onneshon, stressed on the Director of GTCL and Contributing Edi- need for developing a robust plan for en- tor of Energy & Power, presented the Bangabandhu, in the shortest possible ergy usage. Global reduction in fossil fuel time could initiate exploration in the keynote paper in the seminar. He ob- usage has not materialized. Indeed, all Bay of Bengal by engaging seven IOCs. served that the power and energy sector His exemplary initiative could not be indications point to the target of global has made major contributions to ’ followed up in several decades. Why? net-zero will fail to materialize by 2050. Bangladesh s graduating from the Least Are there any scarcity of data and infor- He believes that we need to properly de- Developed Country status to Develop- mation? Even without multi-client sur- velop local human resources for proper ing Country status by 2026. The sector vey data, Petrobangla must have energy management and its use to stem had to tide over the crest and trough thousands of kilometers of seismic data wastage of taxpayers’ money. along its journey in last 50 years. Ab- the IOCs left behind from many surveys. sence of meeting of minds of political Mortuza Ahmed Faruque, former Man- Where these are kept locked in parties on strategic issues like energy se- aging Director of Bapex, agreed that Petrobangla? Other countries encourage curity caused Bangladesh not achieving there is no denial about less than bare IOCs to let these data available to them sustainable energy security. on purchase. Why Petrobangla keeps minimum exploration done in hibernating sitting on these and telling Bangladesh from 2000. In 50 years, Engr. Saleque mentioned that the suc- that offshore explorations cannot pro- only 40 onshore and 21 offshore explo- cessive governments of Bangladesh lost ceed without multi-client survey? In ration wells have been drilled. Similarly, two major opportunities for ensuring Bangladesh, it takes at least one year to less than minimum 2D and 3D seismic sustainable energy security — not giving start exploration after conceiving a proj- surveys have been carried out. Our suc- green signal to the construction of an ect due to prolonged bureaucracy. The cess ratio of 2:2 was impressive. How- open access tri-nation gas pipeline for solution now is drill, drill and drill only. ever, the achievements were much export of gas from Myanmar to India Abul Kasem Khan, Chairperson of Busi- behind the expected levels. The across Bangladesh in 2005. The second ness Initiative for Leading Development Petrobangla management was key for opportunity lost was not taking political (BUILD), observed that there should be the performance. One of the impedi- decision for mining and exploiting own definite plan for supplying primary fuel ments is capacity constraint of superior quality coal reserve of North- from local sources. Fuel import should Petrobangla. Of the six key executives ern region. No mentionable success be minimum for avoiding probable sup- of Petrobangla, including Chairman, could also be achieved in exploring pe- ply chain disruptions and price shocks. three are from the administration serv- troleum resources since 2000. We were told that our coal resource can ice, two technical and one non-techni- He suggested formulating a comprehen- secure energy generation for 75 years. cal services. One vital directorate is sive and affordable energy and power Unfortunately, we do not find any prag- PCD. There is a huge shortage of com- sector master plan through stakeholders’ matic plan for utilizing own coal. Many petent human resources. engagement. Local experts, academic countries of the world still rely on coal It is true that Bapex could not work at researchers, energy economists must be for about 82% of power generation. an expected pace. But for that Bapex included. EP

March 16, 2021 13

Cover Article

Increasing Fuel Import Dependence May Derail Development Endeavors

Engr. Khondkar Saleque

angladesh is celebrating the was to survive as a proud nation with a throwaway price. These five fields Titas, golden jubilee of its independ- dynamic economy, it must explore and Bakhrabad, Habiganj, Rashidpur and Bence this year. During the long 50 exploit its own primary fuel resources - Koillashtilla laid the foundation of en- years of its journey since the glorious oil, gas and mineral resources — by en- ergy security through supplying gas at victory against brutal Pakistani military gaging own qualified trained profession- cheaper price for fertilizer and power on 16 December 1971, the country has als. With this end in view, he created production and industrialization. by now become a success story full of BOGMC later BOGC (Now Bangabandhu was also successful in opportunities and ambitions. There are Petrobangla) and BMDC for exploring leading Bangladesh to offshore explo- challenges too. Since independence and developing oil, gas and mineral re- ration for Petroleum resources in a very through to 2021, the country is ex- sources. His vision for Petrobangla was short time. He started developing pected to achieve a success of 100% championing the energy sector like Ashuganj, Ghorashal, Siddhirganj and electricity coverage overcoming all Petronas, Petramina or Sonartrec. He Shajibazar as the gas-based power gen- odds. Yet, there would be challenges appointed two of his trusted senior ge- eration hub. For human resources de- like ensuring uninterrupted and sustain- ologists as Chairman of BOGC and velopment, he inspired sending able supply of quality power at afford- BMDC. Bangabandhu had initiated fea- Bangladeshi technical and managerial able cost. The two SAARC neighbors — sibility studies for coal mining from Ja- resources to Germany, Algeria and other India and Pakistan — may have higher malganj, Barapukuria and Hard Rocks friendly countries. Very often he used to per capita power consumption, but from Madhyapara. He, through his po- say “Shiekh’s Bengal has huge buried many areas of the countries are yet to litical wisdom, inspired taking over 5 oil, gas resources. I need golden sons of get the power supply. However, in discovered gas fields from Shell BV at the soil for building Golden Bangladesh too, there are many Bangladesh.” constraints and bottlenecks of power transmission and distribu- Unfortunately, after his sad de- tion systems, challenges of smooth mise in August 1975, the power supply of primary fuel, lack in re- and energy sector was deprived of quired number of technical and necessary guidance. managerial resources, failures in Major Development, exploring and exploiting own pri- Challenges from 1975-1990 mary fuel resources. But the chal- The IOCs gradually left by 1978, lenges have already been leaving behind substantial re- identified and various initiatives source data of both shallow and were taken and projects are being deep water. From interactions implemented to overcome the with some senior Bangladeshi challenges. professionals who worked with the IOCs, it was learnt that there Bangabandhu’s Vision of is presence of significant natural Power and Energy Sector gas resources. But the contract It goes without saying that the Fa- was for exploration of oil only. ther of the Nation Bangabandhu had a very clear vision of self-sus- The energy and power sector wit- taining energy sector. He believed nessed major all-round develop- that if war-ravaged Bangladesh Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman ment as a result of momentum

March 16, 2021 15 created by the then Bangabandhu’s gov- gas production was made at higher than Bakhrabad gas pipeline project was ernment. But at the same time, corrup- recommended rates from BGSL causing completed in war footing within May tion and mismanagement also started serious reservoir damage. Government 1997, completing the national gas grid creeping in. Military autocrats did not initiated a World Bank assisted project, on the eastern side of the Jamuna River. bother much about institutional devel- “Procurement Construction Contract of Stranded gas of North South Corridor opment, did not care about corruption. 58 KM 30 Inches Outer Diameter could be evacuated and delivered to gas However, following discovery of oil Ashuganj-Bakhrabad High Pressure gas hungry Chittagong region. Power sys- well, lucrative Surma Basin was leased pipeline”. But a syndicate attempted to tem load shedding was removed, pro- out to an unknown tiny company Scim- award the contract to a local consortium duction of CUFL, Kafco and industries itar on the behest of a local Mafia syn- and Korean Company JV. The domestic in Chittagong resumed. dicate. The opportunity for exploring preference provision was wrongly inter- Other major development of this period and exploiting potential Surma Basin preted. The World Bank threatened to was Shangu offshore gas field, Jalalabad was thus frustrated as Scimitar was not withdraw terming it miss-procurement. Gas Field, connecting Salda and at all a competent company. There was However, under legal advice, the con- Meghna Gas Field to the national grid. nationwide movement of conscious cit- tract was awarded to the qualified eval- izen against Scimitar. uated bidder. But the project could not However, a major blow out at Magur- take of before the onset of monsoon. chara by Occidental caused gas losses. There was also agitation against Saipem However, contract with Occidental was in their North South Pipeline Construc- Over production from Bangladesh renegotiated. Unocal took over and tion in Sylhet. A section of the pipeline caused sand production damaging sub- made a major discovery at Bibiyana. from Beanibazar to Koillahstilla could surface safety valves and other wellhead They also started developing Maulav- not be completed. However, due to control valves of the X-mas tree. ibazar gas field. massive corruption, theft and pilferage The BNP government awarded a con- in the power sector, development part- tract to a Chinese company for develop- Another significant development this ners withdrew financing from the power ment of Barapukuria coalmine adopting time was expansion of gas transmission sector. Two major incidents of corrup- inappropriate Box and Pillar under- grid across Bangabandhu Jamuna Mul- tion Saipem Syndrom and Scimitar ground mining method. tipurpose Bridge. Gas supply could be Scam damaged the growth and devel- given to power plants at Bagahbari. Gas opment of energy sector. Another seri- For minimum exploration and develop- pipeline was extended to Pabna and ous incident was signing of lopsided gas ment of petroleum resources, gas deficit Ishwardi. supply agreement with Kafco. started emerging. Situation in Chit- tagong became acute. Some 4-6 hours The government brought some innova- Trained, qualified and talented human of nationwide loadshedding started af- tions in the power sector. IPP Policy, SPP resources left the sector migrating either fecting the economic development. Policy were introduced. Milestone gas to private companies or abroad. These based medium capacity (350MW and have created huge brain drain and suc- However, this period can be termed as 400MW) power plant contracts were cessive governments failed to fill in the mixed success. There were few achieve- successfully concluded with AES. Barge void. Petrobangla, from a dynamic ments, but some major mistakes were Mounted Power Plants and some off growing organization started losing its also done. The mischief mongers behind grid power plants were also set up. As competence. Scimitar and Saipem scandals should far as gas supply and power generation have been punished. The BNP govern- Another significant development of this were concerned, the government ment rather allowed another small com- period was creation of Gas Transmission achieved surplus by 2000. pany Occidental that appeared from the Company, GTCL, unbundling vertically ruins of Scimitar. They were awarded Unocal proposed an integrated Project integrated gas value chain and launch- PSC for Block 12, 13 and 14. WRIP for developing Shahbajpur Gas ing of Bapex as an exploration com- Field in Bhola, construct a 120 KM long pany. Golden Period (1996-2001) 24 Inches Outer Diameter cross country The Awami League-led alliance govern- Some Mistakes (1990-1996) pipeline from Bhola to Khulna via Bar- ment after assuming state power had to Following the fall of Ershad’s regime and ishal, set up three power plants at Bhola, contend with huge power and energy restoration of democratic government, Barishal and Khulna. After negotiating crisis. The power system experienced 4- BNP formed the government n 1991. for a long time, the project was aban- 6 hours of massive load shedding on a The Scimitar contract was scrapped. doned at a matured stage. Bhola gas daily basis. Gas supply to Chittagong Kafco gas sales contract was reviewed fields are still not fully developed. was in crisis following rapid depletion and North South Pipeline was com- of production from Bakhrabad Gas field. The government also did not accept the pleted. But for meeting the gas require- The government adopted 7 major proj- Unocal proposal for export part of gas ments of Kafco, CUFL and other major ects in energy sector to confront and re- from Bibiyana to India by pipeline. users of gas in greater Chittagong area, trieve the situation. Ashuganj — There is a rumor that the government

March 16, 2021 16 lost election in 2001 for not taking gas power sector. Actions were taken for could not be done efficiently. All these export decision of the powerful US setting up some liquid fuel-based rental have created crisis in sustainable supply Company to India. power plants. Draft coal mining policy of primary fuel. The government ap- was finalized. But the government left it peared rather keen in importing coal Positive Tide Reversed (2001-2006) for elected government to finalize. But and LNG. However, they had little clue There are reasons to believe that the mo- the depth and diversity of the crisis was about challenges of fuel import — shal- mentum created in power and energy so acute that a government having no low coastline draft making construction sector from 1996-2001 was almost re- legal mandate could do little. of import infrastructure expensive, versed due to poor management and volatile global fuel market creating price corruption during the government of Turning Around During 2009-2021 shocks, geopolitics creating possibilities 2001-2006 term. Many power projects Major increase of power generation de- of supply disruptions. in the pipeline were scrapped. Even spite of huge challenges and constraints under implementation projects were de- facilitated impressive 7% growth of Production from Bibiyana, Jalalabad gas layed. Over the 5 years of time only a GDP for over a decade. Bangladesh fields was increased. Bapex discovered scandalous 80MW Tongi power project could achieve food autarky and recom- some marginal gas fields. Gazprom was added. The 450MW power plant at mendation for graduation from LDC to drilled some wells in Petrobangla-owned Meghnaghat, which was at an advanced developing country by 2026. But it has fields. However, contract with Gazprom stage during 1996-2001 term, was com- still lot of challenges for SDG7 of supply was poorly managed. Apart from this, the missioned. A very win-win proposal of a quality, modern power to all at afford- government failed to create any momen- tri-nation gas pipeline construction from able price. tum in gas exploration and development. Myanmar to India across Bangladesh Rather increased production from exist- When the present government started could not materialize for poor vision of ing reserve that caused proven reserve its journey inherited chronic power and the government. If accepted Bangladesh depleting alarmingly. energy deficit. Some 8-10 hours of load could get up to 500 MMCFD gas from shedding every day and huge gas crisis A great success was achieved in achiev- this open access pipeline at US$ 2.5/unit brought economic activities to almost ing win-win resolution of maritime by 2008. The government also messed standstill. The government adopting boundary dispute with India and Myan- up the Asia Energy Proposal for mining short, medium and long-term plan mar. But for lack of farsighted decisions coal from Phulbari. started turning around. By 2012 several of Petrobangla and alleged mismanage- Rashidpur — Ashuganj 30-inch loop line liquid fuel-based power plants could ment, exploration in offshore remains could be completed, Mualavibazar gas manage to contain power crisis. Several uncertain for over 7-8 years. The gov- field could be developed and linked medium to large power plants could be ernment has no clue about the useful with the national gas grid. The govern- constructed and brought into operation. seismic data those IOCs left behind in ment realizing the people’s sentiment, Enabling policy allowed industries set- 1977-78 when they left Bangladesh. moved away from any plan of accepting ting up captive power plants. A major The Bapex-alone policy for onshore ex- Unocal/Chevron proposal of exporting success was in importing power from ploration also proved counter produc- gas to India. However, over production India. By 2020 installed capacity tive. Appropriate strategy for of gas from Shangu offshore gas field reached about 23,000MW inclusive of strengthening Bapex technically and fi- created rapid depletion from the field. 1,160MW import and 3,000MW cap- nancially kept it handicapped. A flawed By 2007, serious power and gas crisis tive generation. But capacity utilization plan of drilling 108 wells (53 explo- started emerging. The government remains constrained for fuel supply (gas) ration) between 2015-2020 fell flat. It could not act appropriately in dealing deficit and bottlenecks of power trans- was always an impossible target for a with Tata mega projects proposal for mission and distribution network. How- capacity constrained Bapex and the steel mill, power plant and a fertilizer ever, the government achieved its project itself was ill conceived. Rather factory. Rather it inked a contract with power sector vision of bringing the en- Bapex should have worked out JV with NIKO Resources for the development of tire country under power coverage. a competent company for further ex- so called marginal Feni, Chattak gas Much improved power supply facili- ploring the identified resources in fields and Tengratilla structure. A novice tated consisted GDP growth at 7% for greater Chottogram and Chittagong Hill company created two major black outs almost a decade. Tracts. The government should have let during exploration. The BNP—Jamaat al- out PSC for onshore frontier areas as Fuel Supply a Major Challenge liance government departed in 2006, well outside Bapex ring fenced areas. One of the major failures of the govern- leaving behind 8-10 hours of massive ment is not to take political decision on Mining own coal remained almost for- load shedding and huge gas crisis. mining own coal. It could not also take bidden activity though the government- Interim Government Period 2006- appropriate actions for exploring and appointed expert committee and 2008 exploiting petroleum resources at on- experienced local and international ex- The interim caretaker government tried shore and offshore. Even the production perts repeatedly suggested for it. resurrecting the crisis-prone energy and operation of Petrobangla-owned fields The government initiated several im-

March 16, 2021 17 ported coal-based mega power projects. affairs of Petrobangla? What are the •Petrobangla must let out PSC for on- But for various reasons ranging from fi- compositions of Petrobangla company shore blocks in the Western region and nance, challenges of coal transportation boards? All these companies are regis- deeper prospects of existing gas fields if only 3 projects — Payra, Rampal and tered companies under company act. possible by end 2021. PSC bidding for Matarbari — look like going to be imple- They must be allowed to operate inde- offshore must also be let out soon. IOCs mented. 1,320MW Payra power plant is pendently without everyday control of have information about our resources. already in operation, 1,320MW Rampal the ministry. Both power and energy Petrobangla must also release whatever and 1,200MW Matarabari may come companies under the present context re- data they have. into operation by 2024. A 2x1200 MW quires substantial numbers of qualified, •A comprehensive Power and Energy Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant would highly trained technical resources. System Master Plan must be formulated also come into operation by 2024. Bangladesh Petroleum Institute, with provision for review in every 5 Bangladesh Power Management Insti- The government has identified con- years. The plan must include a rational tute, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory straints of power transmission and dis- and implementable fuel mix coal (own Commission must be strengthened. The tribution system. Several projects are and imported), gas (own, LNG and salary and benefits of all energy compa- under implementation by PGCB and pipeline import), renewables (solar, nies must be reviewed. There should be power distribution utilities for upgrading wind and others), power import. and modernizing the system. By 2025, provisions for reward and punishment •Expedite coal port and land based there should not be any technical issues for good works and failures. BERC must LNG terminal construction at Matarbari in ensuring quality power to all on un- carry out efficiency audits. and LPG terminal at Maheshkhali. interruptible basis. Conclusion •Set up storage facilities for LNG for Primary fuel supply would continue to Bangladesh has definitely made giant contingency buffer stock when LNG remain the major challenge for the strides in power sector over the past 12 price goes low in global market. power and energy sector. The govern- years in bringing the entire country ment by this time must have realized under power coverage. Installed capac- •The condensate fractionation plant at that implementing too many imported ity has been quadrupled. 23,000 MW Rashidpur must be put into capacity op- coal-based power projects is not possi- against a coincident peak demand of eration without delay. If necessary, SGFL ble for limited possibility of setting up 15,000 MW is assured. But it may still must be allowed to import condensate import infrastructure and very difficult take a while to ensure quality power if local supply is not enough. international financing. Sooner the de- supply on uninterruptible basis at afford- •Bapex should be made exploration cision for mining own coal is taken is able cost. Until investors are ensured managing company instead of drilling the better. Exploration of petroleum at about it, major investments may not company. PCD Department of onshore and offshore needs expediting come whatever other incentives are of- Petrobangla and Hydro Carbon Unit to overcome gas deficit as there is a lim- fered in the 100 Special Economic should be merged wth Bapex. The rigs ited scope of growing big in importing Zones. Power transmission and distribu- they can lease out to the drilling com- LNG use for technical and commercial tion constraints would be hopefully panies. reasons. Even getting fruits from deep- overcome by 2025. •All gas structures of Bhola must be water exploration may take 9-10 years. Energy sector’s failing to keep pace is a developed and linked with National gas By then, the production from existing re- major concern. 3,000MW gas-based grid. Pipeline ROW from Shahbajpur to serve may deplete to nothing. power generation capacity remaining Digholia n Khulna was surveyed and idle, forcing the authorities to go for ex- Another area of concern is bureaucracy- worked out during WRIP consideration. dominated Petrobangla and Petrobangla pensive liquid fuel-based generation. • Company boards. The gas sector still BPDB, the single buyer of power, is The Directorate of Mining should be has quality mid-level technical execu- under financial stress. Moreover, the gov- restored in Petrobangla. Bangabandhu tives. In many cases their voices are not ernment requires adjusting power fre- created BMDC with a vision. being entertained. quently. It is not fair that consumers have •All positions of Petrobangla and its to bear the brunt of poor planning and companies must be manned from the Institutional Reforms failed governance of the government. Has anyone assessed why BPDB and company officials. • power companies are performing better The government must take decision Bangabandhu vision of a self-reliant while Petrobangla and its companies for mining own coal and meet first the power and energy sector cannot be like Bapex, Titas Gas T&D, Bangladesh requirement of 500 MW plus generation achieved growing gradually to exclusive Gas Field Company, Sylhet Gas Field capacity of Barapukuria mine mouth primary fuel importing country. Limited, Karnaphuli Gas Distribution plants. Eventually, about 5,000MW ca- EP Company Limited, Bakhrabad Gas Dis- pacity coal power can be generated tribution Company Limited are not func- from mine mouth plants in greater Rang- Engr. Khondkar Saleque; tioning well? Who are at the helm of pur and Dinajpur regions. Contributing Editor

March 16, 2021 19

Special Report Draft Solar Power Roadmap Targets 30,000MW Generation by 2041

EP Report

he Sustainable and Renewable SCAN THE QR CODE been formulated and submitted to the Energy Development Authority TO WATCH VIDEO power division for review and ap- T(SREDA) has drafted a Solar En- proval. It is extremely difficult to make ergy Roadmap with a target to generate precise recommendation for 2041. 29,454 MW power by 2041. The draft Solar is the principal renewable energy has been submitted to the Power Divi- in Bangladesh. Hence we have stressed sion for review and approval. Recog- upon it. nizing the essential contribution of solar energy to the power generation in Abul Kalam Azad, former Principal ’ Bangladesh, experts at a recent virtual Secretary at the Prime Minister s Office discussion expressed different views and Special Envoy of Bangladesh to the about the draft roadmap —some consid- Climate Vulnerable Forum, participat- ered it to be dependable on other asso- ing as the chief guest mentioned that implementation of PSMP 2010 started ciated conditions for achieving the goal United International University, in his while others termed it ambitious. from 2011. We informally reviewed it keynote presentation mentioned that internally once or twice every year. Energy & Power magazine in collabo- solar energy is growing fast globally. Power is rapidly evolving dynamic sec- ration with M2K Technology and Trad- The evolving technologies may soon tor. Plan requires frequent reviewing. ing organized the discussion on “Proposed Solar Energy Roadmap and Reality” on 27 February 2021 as part of a series titled “EP Talks”. EP Editor Mol- lah Amzad Hossain moderated the talks.

The conference was told that This draft map needs reviewing as well. Bangladesh has a solar power capacity supersede the existing ones. The cost of of 546MW as in February 2021. The solar is declining faster than most other Some quarters have expressed some river training program, if accomplished sources of energy. The cost of panel doubts about the implementing author- according to the country’s Delta Plan, which was US$3-4 earlier has dropped ity of the roadmap. Azad clarified that would help reclaim huge land surface to only 26-30 cents. SREDA was created with a clear man- area. The Jamuna River in some areas date for championing renewable en- have 15-20KM width. There is also a Mohammad Alauddin, SREDA Chair- ergy. If necessary, the mandate can be possibility to develop 13 hubs in the man and Additional Secretary, stressed reviewed and made time-tested. Re- Char areas. It is possible to generate up the need for resource mapping. With sponding to some proposals for creat- to 12,000MW solar power at these that end in view, the draft roadmap has ing a separate organization, he said this hubs. However, requires extensive the reality does not study. Some peo- support that ple are now con- Bangladesh can cerned that the achieve 100% separation of solar power de- power and energy pendability. divisions has cre- ated lack of coor- Md. Shahriar dination. If power Ahmed Chowd- division moves in hury, Director of one direction, en- Centre for Energy ergy division Research at the Abul Kalam Azad A. S. M. Maksud Kamal Ijaz Hossain moves to the other.

March 16, 2021 21 In this scenario, do you think that a separate division for renewable energy would work? Investors would rent rooftops and gen- erate power while distribution utilities would purchase the power. That model has been created in Power Division. In Ahmedabad, India solar power is gen- erated above the railway infrastructure. We need to advance under proper planning. We are aware about our op- tions. Now is the time for actions. Land Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury Dipal Chandra Barua Mizanur Rahman in the char areas can be taken on lease through competitive bidding for solar power generation. I admit that we could not make much progress in re- newable energy. From 2010 our thrust was on fossil fuel-based power genera- tion for managing chronic crisis. Yes, we have potential for significantly de- veloping RE. We need very strong will. We have many trained resources. Rooftop solar in urban areas can make commendable contribution if net me- Farseem Mannan Mohammedy Munawar Misbah Moin Khondkar Abdus Saleque tering system can be given incentives. Professor Dr. A. S. M. Maksud Kamal, can be considered equivalent to 100 save the food wasted that can meet Pro Vice Chancellor of Dhaka Univer- MW coal power. Day peak in 10% of our food requirement. I believe sity, said that this draft roadmap appears Bangladesh power system is still very time is appropriate now for growing big to have been made relying on re- low. Without massive industrialization, in solar power. claimed land from Delta Plan. It says evening peak would remain as it is. Con- Dipal Chandra Barua, President, hubs would be created from land re- sequently, battery storage of solar power Bangladesh Solar & Renewable Energy claimed from Jamuna River. Kaptai would become essential. Solar can cater Association and Founder & Chairman, Lake, Haors and Canals have been up to 1,500MW if day peak grows to Bright Green Energy Foundation we identified as potential floating solar 10,000MW. In the present situation we have worked out bottom necks through plant sites. What would be the cost on cannot consider more than that. research. We have also workout rem- managing environmental impacts, he The Roadmap projected for edy. But now we have to decide who questioned? He said, we have no op- 20,000MW additional solar power, but would bell the cat. One Senior Secre- tion but to giving priority attention to re- there is no mention where and how it tary can be entrusted with the task. We newable energy. Proven reserve of our would be used during the day? If stor- urged repeatedly for quality control. major fuel natural gas is fast depleting. age is a way, then what would be the Responsibility needs fixing. Financing We are not sure what kind of resources cost? Whether rooftop or grid con- at 5% interest from 10,000 branches of we have in the offshore. We have to nected, there would be a problem the banks is required to be ensured for conduct extensive 2D and 3D seismic going above 50MW capacity. achieving the target. surveys for mapping resources. We can- not achieve any success if the roadmap The government can consider relaxing There is some criticism about batteries. is treated as a mere text book only. the use of agricultural land for solar But solar batteries are being recycled Prof. Dr. Ijaz Hossain, Dean of Faculty power. This can be a major break- now. Vendors are purchasing these of Engineering, BUET said that RE has through for solar power generation in from villages. Unit cost of solar power been considered as a marginal option 4- Bangladesh. It may so happen that an is below Tk 8.50. RE did not get the in- 5 years back. But over the past five years, entrepreneur can be allocated 10% centives as given to fossil fuel. We it has grown globally at a phenomenal agricultural land of his proposed plant. hope that RE would get similar incen- pace. It is essential for reduction of car- It is not a big deal sacrificing 1% agri- tives in future. The cost of fossil fuel bon emissions. If you convert Megawatt cultural land for energy security. We should be assessed. There is too much to Megawatt Hour, 500MW solar power hear about food security. But if we can talk about land availability. Why we

March 16, 2021 22 are not emphasizing on rooftop solar, tion of its power from France most of thought process. Through value addi- solar irrigation? There exists huge po- which comes from Nuclear plants. Aus- tions from relevant stakeholders, it can tential, but we need transparency and tralia is blessed with many opportuni- be further enhanced. The beauty of re- strong leadership. ties of renewable energy. Setting very newable energy is that it can be deliv- ambitious targets of RE, Australia started ered where it is most needed. Here is Engr. Mizanur Rahman, former member phasing out large coal power plants. the main advantage over conventional of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Com- But it created adverse impacts. Australia energy. Distributed Renewable Energy mission, pointed out that the power sys- started experiencing power loadshed- should be the right approach. We must tem peak stays from early evening to ding in South Australia, Tasmania. Now consider setting solar near the major midnight and sometimes beyond. Solar it has started planning for some new growth centers. energy cannot contribute during that pe- gas-based power generation. riod. This is an important aspect to con- Land is not a big issue if the govern- sider. We have to think how solar can Engr. Saleque reminded that the ment is really committed to RE. Some contribute during the 60% time out of roadmap should be changed by now. 2% land area of the country is more 24 hours . In future during this peak The limitations and constraints of RE than enough for 50,000MW RE gener- time, liquid fuel-dependent power gen- especially solar are all manageable if ation. We need specific implementa- eration would be converted into LNG. the government has strong political tion plan. There are few organizations The cost of generation per unit would be will. Around 20% contribution of Solar responsible for driving forward RE. Tk 8.00. If solar energy can supply is very much possible. But for that, a power at less than Tk 8.00, it can re- dynamic leader must champion RE sec- Keynote speaker Md. Shahriar Ahmed place liquid fuel based generation. In tor. Bangladesh may also engage Chowdhury mentioned that that situation, contribution of solar en- proactively with neighboring countries Bangladesh does not have strong wind ergy can grow up to 20% of total de- for sharing solar energy through devel- during winter. Bangladesh has 230MW mand. Industrialization would create oping regional grid. hydropower generation. The flat coun- day peak. We have to judge the circum- try can add another 100MW at best. He said solar energy hubs can be set up stance on the basis of reality. If solar cost The only major potential is solar. Land, near major growth centers. The 100 can be minimized, contribution can according to him, is the major chal- Special Economic Zones and even grow up to 30-35%. lenge. Many projects are now facing Bangladesh Export Pressing Zone must uncertainty due to land availability Bangladesh power system has single be developed as Green Zones with RE, issue. RE has developed globally at sig- buyer model. BPDB would purchase rain water harvesting as the way to go. nificant pace since 2009-10. By 2030, power from the producers. It would be Distributed RE would be much more 50% of day peak demand would be much better and more transparent if useful than grid-connected solar. Pri- catered from solar energy. power purchase can be done through vate Sector must be given required in- bidding. The government should take centives through policy support as well The government is developing 100 the responsibility of arranging the land. as financial and fiscal incentives. special economic zones. Up to The government can also develop the 10GWH solar power can be gener- Dr. Farseem Mannan Mohammedy, Di- land and handover to the entrepreneurs ated if solar panels can be installed rector of Centre for Energy Studies, through long-term lease agreement. at the rooftops and parking areas BUET questioned whether Bangladesh on 15% of the total land used. Now BPDB, CPGCL and EGCB are needs a voluminous document for Solar Among other constraints, one is being told how much solar power they Energy Roadmap. There can be a con- high interest on loans. In many should generate. Coal power genera- cise document with provisions for re- countries, loans at 1% interest is tion is a very specialized work. Private viewing and revising at every 5 years of given for RE generation. Free land sector has to play leading role. Distri- interval. Technology is evolving and we is allocated for solar installations. bution utilities should take the leading have to embrace advanced technolo- The government must identify the role in promoting renewable energy in gies. Floating solar is a possibility. But solar hubs. Private sector entrepre- the low voltage segments of respective there must be model made for it through neurs can be given these under franchise area. Net metering can be the scientific research. We have to see how long-term lease. The coordination way to go. This can be done through it impacts fish and other aquatic popu- is essential. mutual discussion. The government lation . We must not do anything with- can take the risk of land. out carrying out extensive research. There should be study for floating solar plants in haors, canals and waterways. Engr. Khondkar Saleque Sufi, Contribut- Munawar Misbah Moin, Managing Di- Floating solar plants if feasible in ing Editor of Energy & Power, observed rector of Rahimafrooz Renewable En- Bangladesh can help assist in making that Germany has phased out Nuclear ergy Limited, considered that the draft more ambitious plans. power plants. But it imports a large por- was formulated based on conventional EP

March 16, 2021 23

Article

Draft Solar Energy Roadmap 2021-41 Even More Ambitious Target Can Be Achieved

Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury

he progress of solar energy tech- power option to be available in be ensured. Local capacity, both in nology has been remarkable in Bangladesh in near future. terms of institutional and human re- recent years. With over 100GW sources, must be developed. In this T The roadmap proposes component and of new capacity additions worldwide in regard, RE and EE&C-based curricu- decade-wise solar PV capacity targets each of the last three years, solar PV has lum have been recommended at the of Bangladesh set for the year 2041. established itself as the leading source secondary level of education. Three scenarios are presented for the fu- in ‘new’ electricity generation technolo- ture of solar energy in Bangladesh, i.e., In order to execute the high deploy- gies. The sustained growth of solar PV the BAU case (6 GW), the medium case ment scenario in particular, the power across the globe has been (20 GW) and the high deployment sce- government must undertake several achieved mainly due to the decreasing nario (30 GW) by 2041. important and timely steps. Accord- cost of utility-scale projects. The global ing to the Bangladesh Delta Plan weighted-average total installed cost of High deployment scenario has been 2100, there will be more than utility scale grid-tied solar PV systems recommended for Bangladesh. In this 3,800 sq. km of river banks and stood at around US$90/kW by the end scenario, the energy generation from new reclaimed land in the near fu- of 2020, which is more than 80% re- the solar PV systems will be around ture. If around 4% of this new re- duction since 2010. As a result, solar 46,000GWh per year and the solar PV claimed land is allocated for solar PV continued to become cost competi- systems will provide nearly 20% of the power projects, and the govern- tive and the industry is experiencing a total electric energy demand of the ment undertakes the necessary land significant rise across the world. Re- country by the year 2041. The roadmap and transmission infrastructure de- search and development works are also also shows the GHG emission reduc- velopment, large-scale power hubs going on in this sector and labs have al- tion potential and investment require- can be built and operated by either ready invented solar PV cells of over ment for the three scenarios. the government utilities or the pri- 47% efficiency, which will reduce the vate sector or by both through com- area requirement for the installation of Solar energy is a Variable Renew- petitive bidding. Such measures are solar PV systems. able Energy (VRE) source and it is expected to bring down the tariff. challenging to inject VRE into the Around 40% of the targeted 30GW The main objectives of the roadmap grid beyond a certain level (10%). capacity can be implemented on are: a) increasing share of RE in the total Recommendations in the roadmap the reclaimed lands along the energy mix; b) ensuring energy security are given for the formulation of major river banks and Meghna es- and sustainability; c) reducing the GHG policies for smart grid implementa- tuary. However, care must be taken emissions; d) attracting private invest- tion to enable high shares of VRE. to formulate long-term grid network ment in RE projects; and e) achieving Simultaneously, large-scale storage expansion plans in consultation global and national RE generation tar- (grid) system for VRE smoothening with the roadmap. gets. The grid-tied solar power has re- and peak shifting has also been cently experienced a growth in suggested. Availability of long-term The government of Bangladesh has Bangladesh owing to the declining cost and concessionary financing for re- planned to develop 100 Economic of equipment. If this trend continues, newable energy through commer- Zones (EZs) all over the country solar power will become the cheapest cial financial organizations should and make them operational by the

March 16, 2021 25 year 2035. The industry sheds and ficient. But at more advanced VRE be made available to absorb sur- other rooftops in all the EZs and implementation stages, large-scale plus generation, acting as storage other suitable buildings (public or storage along with reliable forecast- for the grid according to the daily private, industrial, commercial or ing facilities are more suitable and load profile. residential, airports, schools, col- tend to be economically viable. A more ambitious solar energy target leges, universities, railway stations The cost of liquid fuel-based power can be set by using more reclaimed etc.) should be brought under and the solar power shifted to peak land and identifying more feasible

rooftop solar systems. By 2041, ap- time using storage are already al- areas for floating solar PV systems proximately 12GW of capacity can most comparable at present. If the (the potential for nationwide floating be added on the cumulative rooftop declining price trend of storage solar PV systems is yet to be studied). areas. Thus, another 40% of the tar- technologies continues, the option It is recommended that the roadmap geted 30GW capacity can be im- will eventually outpace liquid fuel- should be revised and updated every plemented. based power plants in the near fu- five years. Bangladesh can also think ture. The higher penetration of variable about importing cheaper solar power renewables will pose threats to the from neighboring countries if it wants Once the VRE sources surpass 10% stability of the grid. At compara- to increase its solar energy portfolio of the base load, each new VRE tively earlier stages of VRE penetra- further. plant must integrate storage facili- tion, measures such as modifying ties to neutralize the variability on EP grid operation practices, enhancing the generation side. The transporta- Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury; system flexibility, and matching de- tion sector should also be modern- Director, Centre for Energy Research, mand with supply by shifting the ized, and electric vehicles should UIU, Email: [email protected] demand curve may prove to be suf-

March 16, 2021 26 Climate Climate Displacement in Bangladesh

Serajul Islam Quadir

angladesh is exceptionally vulnera- and infrastructure, and disruption of agri- As with drought, landslides are not cur- ble to climate change. Its low eleva- culture and other livelihoods. rently a primary cause of displacement, tion, high population density and but they are predicted to become more B In 2016 there were four cyclones — inadequate infrastructure all put the nation severe and frequent as a result of climate Roanu, Kyant, Nada and Vardah — in the in harm’s way, along with an economy change. Bay of Bengal, whereas usually there is that is heavily reliant on farming. only one. The women of Bangladesh are among ’ the first to face the impacts of climate Because of the country s natural suscep- Nazmul Huque, an assistant meteorolo- change, and their suffering is dispropor- tibility to extreme weather, the people of gist, said: “This year, the quantity of sig- tionate. In the cyclone disaster of 1991, Bangladesh have always used migration nals [storm warnings] was more than any for example, 90% of the 140,000 people as a coping strategy. However, as condi- other year in the Bay of Bengal. Two or who died in the country were women. tions intensify under climate change, three depressions occur normally, but more people are being driven from their this year there were seven or eight, and As for women in many other countries, homes and land by more frequent and four cyclones.” Bangladeshi women have less access to severe hazards. Sea level rise, storms, cy- land, resources and decision-making than Riverbank erosion is the primary cause clones, drought, erosion, landslides, men, and their wages are lower, making flooding and salinization are already dis- of climate displacement inland. Up to ’ it harder to survive post-displacement. placing large numbers of people. 50% of those now living in Bangladesh s urban slums may be there because they Women who migrate are often at risk of Two-thirds of Bangladesh is less than five were forced to flee their rural homes as trafficking. The Indian anti-trafficking char- metres above sea level. a result of riverbank erosion. ity Prerana has said that the number of women being trafficked from Bangladesh 28% of the population of Bangladesh Those who live on Bangladesh’s river is- to Mumbai brothels is rising. “The in- lives on the coast, where the primary lands, known as chars, are especially at creased numbers dovetail with increased driver of displacement is tidal flooding risk. Located within some of the world’s migration from Bangladesh, and migrants caused by sea level rise. most powerful river systems, chars can are particularly vulnerable to traffickers,” be formed or completely eroded over By 2050, with a projected 50 cm rise in said Priti Patkar, co-founder of Prerana. weeks or even days. The population of sea level, Bangladesh may lose approxi- these islands, who the government of In the event of a disaster such as a cy- mately 11% of its land, affecting an esti- Bangladesh refers to as “immediately clone or a flood, Bangladesh is sealed on mated 15 million people living in its threatened”, exceeds four million. three sides by India, and some may be low-lying coastal region. left with nowhere to go. River flooding is also a cause of displace- The process of salinisation has been ex- ment inland, and along with erosion is Governments must ensure that the devel- acerbated by rising sea levels. Coastal likely to become more significant under opment of legal protections and actions drinking water supplies have been con- climate change, as rainfall both increases are migrant-centred, human-rights based taminated with salt, leaving the 33 mil- and becomes more erratic, and the melt- and gender-responsive within a system of lion people who rely on such resources ing Himalayan glaciers alter river flows. global migration governance. vulnerable to health problems such as pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, acute Rainfall patterns change, the drier north- The EU to initiate the creation of an inter- respiratory infections and skin diseases. western regions of Bangladesh are at risk agency taskforce to coordinate the work Agriculture, the mainstay of the of drought, which drives people away of the multiple bodies in the Commis- Bangladeshi economy, is also badly af- through destruction of crops and disruption sion, such as Environment, Climate Ac- fected and crops damaged by rising of livelihoods. While not currently a major tion and Migration and Humanitarian salinity are doubly at risk from the result- factor in displacement, this risk is expected Affairs, in order to drive a more effective ing soil degradation. Many regions have to rise as climate change progresses. and integrated approach into wider inter- already suffered large yield losses and national responses to climate change. Landslides, also induced by increasingly significant price reductions as a result. erratic rainfall, affect the hilly north-east- EP In addition to these impacts, coastal regions ern and south-eastern regions of Serajul Islam Quadir; are suffering increasing frequency and Bangladesh and can cause displacement The writer is the former Bureau Chief of severity of tropical storms, which cause loss by destroying homes and property, and Reuters in Bangladesh and Executive Ed- of human life, damage to houses, property disrupting agriculture. itor of the American Chambers’ Journal.

March 16, 2021 27

SDGs

Climate Vulnerability, Covid and Implementation of SDG Maternal Mortality and Child Mortality

Series 10

lmost all global challenges like being are related with SDG targets medics ratio and finally emergency food, nutrition, water and san- maternal mortality, child mortality, preparedness. Aitation, flood, cyclone, air pol- HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, hep- lution, excessive rain or draught, atitis, neglected tropical disease, pre Globally Maternal mortality reduced warming, sea level rise, deforestation mature death, non-communicable substantially in between 2000 and and greenhouse effects end in health disease like heart disease, cancer, di- 2017. Since 1990, maternal mortality issues. Covid 19, an outcome of abetic etc., suicide, use of drug and fell by 45 percent, and there has been global climate change issue took the alcohol, death due to road accident, an over 50 percent decline in pre- opportunity to test the preparedness access to sexual reproduction and ventable child deaths globally. In and ability of all the countries in Family Planning facilities, universal 2000 it was 342 per 100 thousand health issues and economic strength health coverage, accessible and af- live birth which reduced by 38% to where almost all the countries spe- fordable health care, medicine and 211 in 2017. Annual reduction glob- cially some developed countries vaccine, out-of-pocket health expen- ally 2.9%, but to achieve SDG in failed measurably. Lower Middle-in- diture, death for hazardous chemical, terms of maternal mortality 70 in come country Bangladesh is fre- air, water and soil pollution, death 2030, the globe needs to reduce quently visited by different natural due to unhygienic water and sanita- yearly 6.4%. South Asia in this period calamity along with some permanent tion, unintentional poisoning and so reduced from 395 to 163 maternal and increasing climate change effects. many. Major means of implementa- mortality per 100 thousand birth, Covid is the opportunity in disguise tion of SDG targets are to reduce the which is 59% reduction. Only in for us to revisit the whole health sec- use of tobacco, research on medicine 2017 South Asia saw 57 thousand tor and understand where do we and vaccine, vaccine coverage, de- maternal deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa stand, what are the strengths and velopment assistance in research and changed a lot, there is also 39% weakness, what are the challenges basic health, core health facility and which is global average. In 2017, in and what to do to ensure Universal sustainability, human resource in high income countries, one mother Health Coverage. health sector; doctor, nurse and para- died out of 5,400 during child deliv- ery. In low income countries, it SDG 3 deals with specific is substantially higher; that is 1 Health agenda; health for all mother dies out of 240, in LDC by 2030 and more specifically countries, 1 mother dies out of considers health with high pri- 56 deliveries. Over last 17 years, ority and during Covid it draws global achievement in maternal much more attention of the mortality it reduced to almost global community. SDG 3 has half; in 2000 the global average a very high ambitious goal for stood at one mother dying dur- ensuring healthy life and pro- ing 100 deliveries and in 2017, mote wellbeing for all at all in 190 delivery 1 mother dies. ages having 13 targets and 27 Though in terms of achievement indicators . Health and well- it is substantial but the world

March 16, 2021 29

2030 which we will achieve easily. Likewise, in neo-natal mortality ultimate target is 12 per thousand in 2030 with an interim target to reach 18 by 2020. But in the meantime, in 2019 we reached 16. So, we are well ahead of SDG target in under 5 mortality, skilled birth attendant and neo-natal mortality.

It is well understood that due to Covid this year expecting mothers refrained from antenatal care, visit of health and Family Planning worker were not pos- sible for a few months, child birth with skilled birth attendant and post-natal care was hampered significantly. A good number of hospitals were de- clared designated Covid hospital and physicians and surgeons refrained from attending regular duty both in hospital and private chamber that caused gen- eral deuteriation of health services not needs to double the reduction of ma- attended by skilled birth attendant but in Bangladesh only but this was a ternal mortality rate to achieve SDG again regional difference is very high. In global problem during first few months as it is mentioned above. a research it was found, in the same of Covid. Protocol for ante natal care, year in Khulna 58% delivery was with In Bangladesh maternal mortality with a birth attendance and post-natal care skill birth attendant, but in Sylhet it was target to reach 105 by 2020, 85 by 2025 during unusual period of Covid needs only 27%. From 1990 to 2015 esti- and 70 by 2030 from the base year to be developed quickly to reduce ma- mated annual rate of reduction of ma- 2015 figure of 181 per 100,000 live ternal mortality, infant and under five ternal mortality rate and neo natal births up to 2019 we could reach only mortality. Overall health sector has an mortality rate were 4.5% and 3.5% re- 165 which is about 4%. To reduce ma- unusual Human resource structure in spectively and these to be increased to ternal mortality and child mortality gov- opposite ratio in our country; nurses 6% and 4.5% to achieve SDG. ernment is piloting stipend for the are more in number than the health expecting poor mother for about two technicians and number of doctor is Let us turn to infant mortality; globally years to reduce maternal mortality, child much higher than nurses. We need to in 2019 per 1,000 births 25.788 chil- mortality and to address malnutrition to bring doctor, nurse and technician ratio dren died; in 2020 it was 24.73, highest be scaled up on the success report of the from 1:0.5:0.2 in 2015 to the right pro- infant mortality was in Nigeria which is project. In the field of maternal mortal- portion of 1:3:5 in 2030 which is a 117.2 per 1 thousand. Global infant ity, we need to give much more atten- huge shift from the present structure. mortality in 2020 reduced by 4.1% in tion to double the reduction. But health infrastructure specially comparison to 2019. Among all the in- about 13000 Community clinic all over Main cause of death during delivery are fant mortality one prominent cause is the country each for 6000 people run hemorrhage, eclampsia, sepsis, em- child marriage, that is, the mother is not under a Foundation with both Govern- bolism and unsafe abortion. Most of healthy enough to deliver child. Every- ment and local resources played a very these deaths can be prevented by skill day globally 14,722 and total 5.3 mil- positive role in all primary health care birth attendents. Birth attended by skill lion children died in 2018. Bangladesh issues during the Covid also. health personnel, we targeted to reach had a very good track record of under 5 65 by 2020. Here we reached in 2009 mortality from MDG period and in SDG EP to 59, achieved well ahead of time. As era, achievement is remarkable; in 2019 Md. Abul Kalam Azad; the skill birth attendant in terms of doc- it is 25.6 for 1000 birth down from 36 Former Principal Secretary and tor, nurse, paramedics, midwives, in in 2015. The ultimate target is to reduce Principal SDG Coordinator, 2014, 42% delivery in Bangladesh were under 5 mortality to 25 per thousand by Prime Minister Office

March 16, 2021 31

Report Lub-rref's Profit Climbs from the Dhaka Cost of DPDC Power Stations Stock Exchange 13pc in July-Dec (DSE). Project to Grow by Tk 537cr The lubricant com- ub-rref (Bangladesh), a he cost of will increase by mentation date from July pany's basic earnings per local lubricant producer, Tk 537 crore for 'Con- 2013 to June 2018 will be ex- L share (EPS) stood at Tk 0.87 T posted higher profits for the struction of New 132/33 KV tended now July 2021. for July-December 2020 July-December period of and 33/11 KV Substations which was Tk 0.77 in the The revised cost proposal has 2020 just before its debut on project' of Dhaka Power Dis- same period a year earlier. been sent to the Planning the stock market. tribution Company (DPDC) Commission. In the mean- However, post-IPO EPS mainly due to its slow imple- Lub-rref logged profits of Tk time, preparations have been would be Tk 0.60 for July- mentation to cause both cost 86.61 million for the last six finalized to present it at the December 2020 period and time over-run. months of 2020, which was next meeting of the Executive ended on 31 December 13 per cent higher compared According to project docu- Committee of the National 2020. to the same period the previ- ment, the original cost of the Economic Council (ECNEC). ous year, according to data The company's profit also project was Tk 1,850.06 Once the project is imple- jumped more than 13 per crore. Through the first revi- mented, the growing power cent to Tk 58.97 million sion of the project, the cost demand of DPDC area, espe- in October-December pe- increased to Tk 2,387.06 cially Dhaka Metropolitan riod last year compared to crore. City will be met through con- the same period of the Now, through the second re- struction of transmission and previous year. vision, proposal has been sub-transmission lines by The pre-IPO net asset made to increase the project connecting various substa- value (NAV) per share cost to Tk 2,479.93 crore. tions. The system capacity is with revaluation would Besides, its scheduled imple- expected to be increase. EP be Tk 35.37 as on 31 De- cember 2020 and the India, Bangladesh Exploring same would be Tk 34.68, considering post-IPO Proposal for Refined-LNG Pipeline paid-up shares. EP South Asia Group IDB, IRENA Join Forces to Foster on Energy (SAGE) organized by the Sustainable Energy Future Research and In- formation System he Inter-American Devel- will support each other’s ini- for Developing Topment Bank (IDB) and tiatives such as IDB’s Energy Countries (RIS) in the International Renewable Hub and the IRENA’s Climate New Delhi. Energy Agency (IRENA) have Investment Platform — a signed a partnership that will multi-stakeholder initiative Shringla, former ndia recently said it is explor- High Commissioner to help drive the energy transi- established at the UN Secre- ing with Bangladesh a pro- tion in Latin America and the tary General’s Climate Action I Bangladesh, said be it con- posal for supplying ventional sources, hy- Caribbean (LAC) in line with Summit Climate Action Sum- refined-LNG through cross- the 2030 Agenda for Sustain- mit 2019. dropower, solar, wind or border pipeline and establish- even petroleum products, able Development and the ment of an LNG terminal, and Paris Agreement. Specifically, IDB and "India is taking the lead to IRENA will work to en- pitched for South Asian re- promote a regional approach The partnership is built hance access to sustain- gional power co-operation. to our energy needs." around knowledge-sharing in able finance in the region "We are working assiduously "Being the largest producer the context of promoting re- by supporting the creation to promote the sub-region and consumer of energy in gional integration, renewable of market conditions that comprising Bhutan, the region, it is natural for us energy investment, finance are conducive to renew- Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar to be the epicenter for any en- and risk mitigation in the able energy investments and India as an energy hub," ergy initiative in the region. Latin America and the and that facilitate the de- Indian Foreign Secretary We have to make energy af- Caribbean. velopment of renewable Harsh Vardhan Shringla said. fordable, accessible and energy projects. In particular, the two parties EP He was inaugurating the clean," he remarked. EP

March 16, 2021 33

Report Bashundhara LPG to Help Replace Natural Gas has Vital Role in Coal in Brick Production Energy Transition: McMonigle atural gas has a very im- use of natural gas technolo- Nportant role to play in gies and their capacity to ac- the energy transition and in celerate fuel-switching and meeting the world’s climate create synergies to integrate goals, the Secretary General renewables, green gas, hy- of the International Energy drogen, and other carbon Forum Joseph McMonigle dioxide solutions. said recently. “Obviously, this does not Speaking at the inaugural come without challenges be- GECF Gas Lecture of 2021, cause I think there are those new era in the LPG in- tioned that BLPGL has in- entitled ‘The Role of Gas in who want to lump natural dustry is going to be vested in many diversified A Clean, Reliable, and Sustain- gas as a hydrocarbon with launched in Bangladesh with sectors to create new oppor- able Growth’, McMonigle other fossil fuels that are not the uses of LPG to manufac- tunities for the LPG industry. said that the success of the as clean under current uti- ture ceramic bricks. With BLPGL’s pioneering energy transition rests “on the lization.” EP Bashundhara LP Gas Limited outlook, and significant logis- (BLPGL), the LPG market tics capacity, they have taken New Power System Master Plan leader and one of the pioneers on the challenge to extend of the LPG industry in their business support to Unlikely This Year Bangladesh, has taken the new Makrail Ceramics Ltd. (MCL) challenge to supply LPG to the who were searching for a ork on framing a new years based on the revision brick-manufacturing industry. clean fuel for their factories, WPower System Master of the previous one. Plan (PSMP) is unlikely to the report added. "The next PSMP is supposed The new move will be mate- begin within the current to be framed in 2021 as the rialized to produce ceramic According WLPGA, BLPGL year as no terms of refer- last one was prepared in bricks in a new, efficient, and and MCL signed an exclusive ence (ToR) has been final- 2016. But the b pandemic environmentally friendly way fifteen-year agreement in ized with the funding disrupted the whole process by using LPG to replace coal. early 2021, whereby BLPGL agency. will provide LPG fuel support of communication that ulti- World LPG Association and full technical assistance Japan International Cooper- mately delayed the start of (WLPGA) in a report men- ation Agency (JICA), which the PSMP work," he said. related to LPG. EP is funding the project, is yet Official sources said there to communicate with the will be two substantial Installation of Polar Crane Beams implementing body about changes in the nature of the the ToR, official sources at new PSMP during its fram- Completed at RNPP Unit One the Power Cell said. ing. ubcontractor specialists - quently be carried out. "We had a meeting with One is that Bangladesh will Trust RosSEM, Roin World JICA in March last year just S The beams of the polar crane have active participation in LLC and Energospecmontazh before the start of the coro- were installed in the reactor the process and will have JSC — performed complex navirus pandemic. Since building using a Liebherr the right to accommodate works on installing two polar then, the communication heavy crawler crane, at an el- the Power Division's view crane beams on rail tracks at between the two sides re- evation of +38.500 m. to make it an independent the first power unit of the mained almost off and only Currently, work is underway master plan without any Rooppur NPP. very recently we contacted to install structures and crane bias to Japanese view, said JICA on the issue," said These are the main metal mechanisms on crane run- another official of the Abdur Rouf, a director of structures of the crane, with ways. Power Cell. the help of which the opera- the Power Cell. Due to the movement of the The second change, he tions for the transportation "But, no major develop- crane along a circular path, it said, will be a paradigm and installation of the main ment has been made yet in will be able to perform all shift in the use of local coal technological equipment of this regard," he added. the containment area (reactor loading and unloading opera- and gas in primary fuel se- vessel, steam generators, pres- tions at any point in the reac- He, however, said normally lection for power genera- sure compensator) will subse- tor compartment. EP a PSMP is prepared every 5 tion. EP

March 16, 2021 35

Report BN-800 Fast Reactor Undergoes APAC to Lead Global Battery Energy First Full Refueling with MOX Fuel Storage Market, Says GlobalData

Thus, the BN- sia-Pacific (APAC) was that the fall in battery technol- 800 core is now Athe largest market for ogy prices, the increasing one-third filled battery energy storage sys- need for grid stability and re- with innovative tems in 2020, accounting for silience for the integration of fuel. From now 49.9% of the global market renewable power in the on, only MOX installed capacity. power market are the primary fuel will be driving factors for the battery The region is expected to loaded into this energy storage market. maintain its top position in the reactor. forecast period up to 2025, as Bhavana Sri, Power Analyst ower unit No. 4 of the Be- The fuel assemblies were well as its market share of ap- at GlobalData, comments: Ployarsk NPP with the BN- manufactured at the Mining proximately 53.5% in 2025, “China will likely overtake 800 reactor has been and Chemical Combine followed by Europe, Middle the US and lead the market at connected to the grid and re- (MCC, Zheleznogorsk, Kras- East and Africa (EMEA) and the country level in 2025. sumed operations upon com- noyarsk region). the Americas, says Global- The market for battery energy pletion of the scheduled Data, a leading data and ana- storage in China is estimated maintenance. The BN-800 reactor was ini- tially launched with a hybrid lytics company. to reach $3.22bn in 2025. With its massive renewable For the first time the refueling core, partially loaded with The company’s latest report, energy capacity installation has been carried out with uranium fuel produced by El- ‘Battery Energy Storage Sys- target, the cumulative in- uranium-plutonium fuel only. emash, TVEL’s fabrication fa- tem, Update 2021 — Global stalled capacity of the energy The first batch of 18 MOX cility in Elektrostal (Moscow Market Size, Competitive storage market in China is es- fuel assemblies was loaded region), and partially with ex- Landscape, Key Country timated to reach almost 12 into the reactor core in Janu- perimental MOX fuel bun- Analysis to 2025’, revealed GW in 2025.” ary 2020, and now 160 as- dles manufactured at the EP Research Institute of Atomic semblies more of fresh MOX Local gas fields, includ- Reactors in Dimitrovgrad, fuel have been added (re- RLNG Hits Record ing those operated by in- Ulyanovsk region (NIIAR). placing the assemblies with ternational oil companies EP High Production enriched uranium). (IOCs), supplied around Asia to Drive 75% of LNG ountry's overall LNG (liq- 2,467 mmcfd of gas on Cuefied natural gas) re- Monday from a total of 43 Demand Growth by 2040 gasification reached around operational gas fields. 837 million cubic feet per Petrobangla started re-gasify- sia is expected to drive in the middle of the current day (mmcfd) recently, the ing LNG in August 2018 to Anearly 75% of demand for decade with less new produc- highest-ever so far, as the the tune of around 100 Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tion coming on-stream than government is importing a mmcfd through the first FSRU by 2040 as domestic gas pro- previously projected. high volume of fuel to meet owned by US's Excelerate the mounting domestic de- duction declines and LNG sub- “Just 3 million tonnes in new Energy. stitutes higher emission energy mand. LNG production capacity State-run Petrobangla could sources, tackling air quality was announced in 2020, Two operational FSRUs re-gasify maximum LNG on concerns and meeting emis- down from an expected 60 (floating, storage, re-gasifica- Monday as it bought two sions targets, says Shell’s LNG million tonnes," the outlook tion units) are now utilizing LNG cargoes from the spot Outlook 2021. said, adding that over half of 83.7 per cent of their total ca- future LNG demand will market this month apart from Natural gas emits between pacity to re-gasify around 1.0 come from countries with five to six regular cargoes 45% and 55% fewer green- billion cubic feet per day net-zero emissions targets. from term LNG suppliers. house gas emissions and less (bcfd), according to than one-tenth of the air pol- Post the outbreak of the pan- Petrobangla statistics. LNG re-gasification might be demic, China and India led the stable at this level this month lutants than coal when used Country's overall natural gas recovery in demand for LNG. and increase further next to generate electricity. output also reached the high- China increased its LNG im- month as Petrobangla has According to the outlook, as est-ever level of around 3,304 ports by 7 million tonnes to 67 planned to purchase three demand grows, a supply-de- mmcfd, riding on an increased million tonnes, an 11% in- LNG cargoes from the spot mand gap is expected to open volume of LNG imports. crease for the year. EP market for April. EP

March 16, 2021 37

Beximco, City Bank Capital Sign Deal UN Calls on to Issue TK 30B Sukuk Bond Bangladesh to Put Renewables First

he president of Bangladesh's renew- Table energy trade body has echoed a call made by the UN for the nation to turn its back on coal and embrace clean power as its status at the global body could be set to change. The United Nations' committee on de- velopment policy recently recom- mended Bangladesh no longer be included on the international organiza- tion's list of least developed countries. The UN greeted the recommendation angladesh Export and Ershad Hossain, of the solar project of by advising: “Bangladesh should accel- BImport Company Managing Director, Teesta and korotoa erate its efforts to scale back from coal Limited (Beximco) City Bank Capital, Solar Ltd, the two fired power plants and shift to clean and signed an agreement signed the agreement subsidiaries of Bex- sustainable energy.” with City Bank Capi- on behalf of their re- imco Power Company Limited and financing It was a sentiment described as “very ap- tal Resources Limited spective sides. and refinancing of the propriate” by Dipal C Barua, president in the city today (Sun- Under the agreement, machinery and equip- of the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable day) to arrange Is- Beximco Ltd is the ment required for the Energy Association. lamic Shariah originator of the issue exaptation of Bex- “Graduation to [the] upper level [of de- compliant Sukuk Al ’ and City Bank Capital imco Ltd s textile di- velopment status] does not mean only Istisna for Beximco is the arranger, ad- vision. raising per-capita income,” Barua told subsidiaries to raise viser and issue man- pv magazine. Tk 30 billion. The face value has ager of this issue. been set at Tk 100 “Quality of life, environment, and health also has to be ensured.” The trade body Osman Kaiser while the minimum This secured convert- chief added: “We should lower depend- Chowdhury, Group subscription size is Tk ible asset-backed ence on fossil fuel and raise power gen- Director and Chief 5,000 and the tenure Sukuk will be issued, eration from renewables. The UN Executive Officer, subject to BSEC ap- is 5 years. Profit rate suggestion came for our survival, for our Power and Engineer- proval, for the pur- is 9% per annum or sustainability. It should be [a] non-nego- ing, Beximco Group pose of construction above. EP tiable goal to us.” EP

March 16, 2021 39 Promotion of Renewables Requires Common Int’l Platform: Nasrul Pvt Solar Grid using the facilities in India and Afghanistan, for exam- Makers Seek ple, he said. "However, the grid systems need to be More Incentive modernized to serve the purpose." ponsors of the private solar mini grids Shave urged for more incentive for sur- Also, Nasrul Hamid talked vival of their businesses as they were lag- about coming up with ad- ging behind tariff competitiveness as vanced solar technologies compared to the state-sponsored renew- so that the solar systems able plants. could be installed using he European Union can play a be- minimum space in a Leaders of Solar Mini Grid Association Thind-the-scene role to enhance re- densely populated country like Bangladesh (SMGAB) made the request at gional or sub-regional cooperation among Bangladesh where land scarcity is a major a press conference at Dhaka Reporters countries for the promotion of renewable problem. Unity (DRU) recently. energy. He also underscored the need for invest- Latest technology of the solar power proj- ects under state-owned plants cut the tariff State Minister for Power, Energy and Min- ment, experience sharing, and holding to TK 9.00 per kilowatt hours whereas the eral Resources Nasrul Hamid suggested policy dialogues. private sponsors offer it at Tk 30 a unit this recently while addressing the virtual Nasrul said, "Bangladesh has been pro- due to high installation cost. meeting of the Europe-based TEI-Green ducing 722.13 MW of electricity from re- Energy. newable sources while the import of The minister said: "There needs to be a hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan is common international platform for the under process." promotion of renewable energy." "Also, we have set a target to save 20% of South Asia can generate solar power electricity by energy conservation." Green Finance Less Than term loans. The figures were revealed Hence, these situations forced the mini in the quarterly review re- grid companies far behind the competi- 2% of Banks’ Total Loans port on green banking ac- tiveness. reen finance disbursed by banks for tivities of banks and SMGAB President DM Majibor Rahman Geco-friendly projects was less than financial institutions and green refinance placed eight-point demands for survival 2% of the total loan disbursement at the activities of the Bangladesh Bank recently. of their businesses while Mustak Ahmed, end of December last year. At the end of December last year, banks' Ranajit Das Gupta and senior leaders at- The rate was 7% of the banks' term loans. total loan disbursement was Tk2.28 lakh tended at the press conference. crore. Of this, green finance was less than For non-banking financial institutions, the DM Majibor Rahman said that the mini Tk 4,000 crore. figure was only 1.15% of the total loan grid sponsors are experiencing severe hur- disbursement, which was 1.55% of their For non-bank financial institutions, the dle for last couple of years as state-run figures were Tk 4,072 crore and Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board about Tk55 crore respectively. (BREB) and Bangladesh Power Develop- ment Board (BPDB) have been offering The green banking activities of lowest tariff rate at the same location of banks and non-bank financial in- their installations in islands, hills and stitutions in the quarter that ended other remote areas since 2017. on 31 December 2020 experi- “Around 90 percent of their produced enced a mixed trend in green fi- electricity remained unused as consumers nance in the financial sector, the have shifted to state-run REB and PDB report said. due to lower tariff offers,” he said while EP expressing disappointment. EP

March 16, 2021 40 106 MWp of Solar Power from 3,000 Plus BSES Rooftop Consumers

tering has been very incredibly Wärtsilä to Install encouraging in BSES area. Consumers across categories, Floating Battery including residential, educa- Storage Solution tional (and schools) and com- mercial establishments have in SE Asia warmed up to roof top solar net metering in big-way. he energy storage system technology Tand integration division of Wärtsilä An analysis of the data shows Corporation will deploy a large-scale SES Rajdhani Power Limited (BRPL) that the highest number of floating battery energy storage system for Band BSES Yamuna Power Limited rooftop solar net metering connections a thermal power facility in the Philip- (BYPL) have been aggressively promot- are in the domestic segment (1805), fol- pines. ing roof-top solar in South, West, East lowed by educational institutions (655), and Central Delhi. commercial establishments (554), indus- trial (35) and others (91). BSES discoms have energized a record 3,000 plus- 3140 to be precise — roof- BSES has energized ‘roof-top net top solar installations with a connected metering’ connections ranging from solar load of 106 MWp. a sanctioned load of 1 KW to over In the next financial year (FY 21-22), 2000 KW. Consumers have begun to see the benefits of roof stop solar BSES discoms are aiming to energize The “floating power barge” project is over 1,000 roof-top solar connections. net metering and how it reduces claimed as a first-of-its-kind for the South- The response to roof top solar net me- their electricity bills. EP east Asia region and the 54MW / 32MWh of battery storage will be integrated with tains the customer Therma Marine Inc’s (TMI’s) bp Service Stations Powered Snowy Scheme 100MW thermal power barge in the and is the Maco municipality of the Philippines with 100% Renewables fourth largest province Davao de Oro. energy retailer Wärtsilä said that the existing power ightsource bp recently announced in the Australian National Electricity barge runs on diesel engines and the en- Lthat through a PPA with Snowy Market given the strong growth of its re- ergy storage system would help it provide Hydro, its West Wyalong solar farm will tailer Red Energy in New South Wales fast response ancillary services to the grid, ’ supply renewable energy to 88 of bp s in recent years. for which TMI has a contract with the service stations across New South The PPA will enable the construction of transmission operator, National Grid Wales, Australia. a 107MWdc solar farm in West Wya- Philippines. This milestone is the result of a power long, New South Wales. Snowy Hydro The addition of the short-duration battery purchase agreement (PPA) with Snowy will purchase two-thirds of the system will reduce the power barge’s ramp- Hydro which owns, operates and main- 238,000MWh generated annually from ing time from 15 minutes to just 3 minutes. the solar farm through a 15-year The project has been fast-tracked, and PPA. Wärtsilä, handed a combined system de- Under this arrangement Snowy- livery and engineering procurement and Hydro will in turn supply construction (EPC) contract by TMI in 23,000MWh of renewable energy September last year, anticipates comple- annually, through Red Energy, to tion in the fourth quarter of this year. bp for 10 years to meet the power Wärtsilä said that 10 units of its recently- requirements of all its service sta- launched Gridsolv Max storage solution tions throughout the state of New will be used, and will run on the company’s South Wales. proprietary GEMS energy management and EP controls software platform. EP

March 16, 2021 41

Climate Climate Change in Bangladesh to Pacific Island Countries Unite ‘Impact Int’l Security’: Muniruzzaman Around Enhanced Renewables Ambition n a year of critical action on Palau, reaffirmed his coun- Iclimate mitigation and try’s commitment to a sus- adaptation, Pacific Island tainable energy future: governments have reinforced “Palau is developing a new their commitment to energy roadmap that will ultimately transition action and result in a 100 percent fossil strengthened sustainable en- fuel free energy system.” ergy goals within updated Currently, 13 of the 14 Pa- nationally determined contri- resident of Bangladesh In- niruzzaman, also Chairman cific Small Island Developing butions (NDCs) ahead of stitute of Peace and Secu- of the Global Military Advi- States (SIDS) have quantified P COP26 in Glasgow, the rity (BIPSS) Maj Gen (retd.) sory Council on Climate renewable energy targets in United Kingdom in Novem- ANM Muniruzzaman re- Change (GMACC), said sea- their NDCs, submitted under ber. cently talked about the risks level rise will likely inundate the first round of Paris Agree- Bangladesh faces as a front- 20 percent of Bangladesh At a meeting of high-level ment climate pledges, equat- line state in the face of "cli- landmass and trigger a cli- policy and mate change-induced mate refugee population of intergovern- insecurity", noting that this 25 to 30 million people. mental repre- will become a regional secu- sentatives BIPSS hosted their Policy rity issue impacting interna- jointly hosted Café called 'Coffee@BIPSS' at tional security. by the Inter- a city hotel with the theme 'I- national Re- "This won't just be a concern nundated and Unstable: Un- newable of our national security but derstanding the Security Energy will become a regional secu- Implications of Climate Agency rity issue impacting interna- Change.' (IRENA), the tional security," he said while The event was attended by Regional Pacific NDC Hub ing to nearly 2GW of addressing a Policy Café many dignitaries, including and the UK COP26 Presi- renewables capacity. called 'Coffee@BIPSS' as diplomats, climate change dency, ministers and govern- keynote speaker. All Pacific SIDS are engaged experts, scholars, journalists ment representatives According to estimates, Mu- and youth activists. EP reiterated the need for trans- in a process of NDC en- formative pledges that signif- hancement ahead of COP26 $300 bn Investment Lined Up in icantly reorient the world’s under the coordination of the energy transition pathway. Regional NDC Pacific Hub Hydrogen Projects Globally Pacific nations aim to be at and with support of various the forefront of global efforts. development partners. Fiji, mammoth $300 billion ready in mature stage, ac- Marshall Islands, Papua New During the discussion, Ainvestment is currently cording to a new report. Guinea, and Tonga have al- lined up in Hydrogen proj- Charles I. Obichang, Minis- The report “Hydrogen Insights ready submitted enhanced ects globally that is set to ma- ter of Public Infrastructure, 2021: A Perspective on Hy- contributions. terialize by 2030. Industries and Commerce of EP drogen Investment, Deploy- Of this, projects entailing in- ment and Cost mitted public funding for hy- infrastructure, and giga-scale vestment of $80 billion is al- Competitiveness” released by drogen technologies. production projects. Hydrogen Council Globally, 228 large-scale "If all announced projects in collaboration with projects have been an- come to fruition, total invest- McKinsey & Com- nounced with 85 per cent lo- ments will reach more than pany shows over 30 cated in Europe, Asia, and $300 billion in spending countries have re- Australia. These include through 2030. Of this invest- leased hydrogen large-scale industrial usage, ment $80 billion can cur- roadmaps and gov- transport applications, inte- rently be considered mature," ernments have com- grated hydrogen economy, the report said. EP

March 16, 2021 43 Climate Chevron Launches $300m IEA: Global CO2 Emissions Low Carbon Tech Fund Rising Again lobal carbon dioxide In India, the world's third Gemissions dropped by biggest emitter, emissions 5.8% in 2020 as the COVID- rose above 2019 levels from 19 pandemic slowed eco- last September as economic nomic activity, but they activity increased and restric- rebounded at the end of the tions were relaxed. year and are on course to rise further, the International En- "The rebound in global car- ergy Agency said recently. bon emissions toward the end of last year is a stark Major economies led a re- warning that not enough is bound in December when being done to accelerate emissions were 2%, or 60 clean energy transitions hevron Technology Ven- bon capture, emerging mo- million tonnes, higher than in worldwide," Fatih Birol, IEA Ctures, LLC (CTV) has an- bility, and energy storage, December 2019, as a pick- executive director, said. nounced the launch of its CTV highlighted, reports Rig- up in economic activity in- $300 million Future Energy zone. creased energy demand. "If current expectations for a Fund II, which it says is fo- global economic rebound “We continue to take mean- China, the world's biggest cused on technologies that this year are confirmed, and ingful actions to address the emitter of greenhouse gases, have the potential to enable challenges and opportunities was the only country that ex- in the absence of major pol- affordable, reliable, and ever of the global energy transi- perienced an increase in icy changes in the world's cleaner energy for all. tion,” Barbara Burger, the emissions last year of 0.8%, largest economies, global Future Energy Fund II will vice president of innovation or 75 million tonnes, from emissions are likely to in- focus on innovation in indus- and president of technology 2019 levels, the IEA said in a crease in 2021," he added. trial decarbonization, emerg- ventures at Chevron, said in report. ing mobility, energy a company statement. Primary en- decentralization, and the ergy demand ’ growing circular carbon “I m proud that our second fell 4% in economy, according to CTV. Future Energy Fund has the 2020 as lock- potential to make energy and downs and ’ The company s first Future global supply chains more other restric- Energy Fund launched in sustainable by helping indus- tions limited 2018 and invested in more tries and our customers build industrial ac- than ten companies with a lower carbon future,” tivity and over 150 other investors to Burger added in the state- transport. support innovations in car- ment. EP EP lives in cities, increasing to urban environment is live- €200m European Venture Capital two-thirds by 2050, creat- able, healthy, and sustain- Tech Fund Launched ing an environmental im- able in 2150,” said Mikkel pact the globe can Bülow-Lehnsby, a co- new venture capital tion and renowned urbanist ill-afford, given the climate founder of the fund and Afund, 2150, has been and academic, Richard crisis. chairman of Nordic real es- launched to invest €200 Florida, will review candi- By fostering investment in tate company NREP. million ($240 million) in date firms working on sustainable urban tech- start-up companies devel- everything from injecting Fellow 2150 co-founder, nologies, the fund can en- oping sustainable technolo- carbon dioxide into con- and a former Europe Face- able construction firms and gies to target the carbon crete to monitoring energy book executive, Christian city planners to then use footprint of cities. use in buildings. Hernandez, said the VC this technology to improve Fund is “driven by a desire The advisory board for Based across London, the environmental and cli- to move the needle quicker 2150, including former Copenhagen and Berlin, mate intelligence of Eu- and invest in companies ’ chief sustainability officer 2150 was instigated by the rope s cities. which can affect big, sys- in the Obama administra- fact that half the world “Our goal is to ensure the temic changes.” EP

March 16, 2021 44 Interview Taking Over Ownership of Gas Resources was a Bold Decision

very step of Father of the Nation enlighten us about his vision. Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujbur Rahman Bangabandhu enduring many challenges Ewas from the depth of his heart. His and torture during his confinement in Jail only vision was to create Golden Bengal had a realization that the economic through economic emancipation of the emancipation of the downtrodden people people. Deep down in his heart, he had of the then this part of East Pakistan would firm conviction that the country would re- not be achieved without independence. quire exploration and exploitation of own The Lahore declaration and 6-point pro- primary fuel resources to ensure sustainable posal were the steps in that direction. His economic development. With this end in priority pledge was to make Bangladesh Dr. Mohammad Farashuddin view, he started laying foundation for an self-reliant. Energy and power issues were energy and power organization in the war- prominent among these. ravaged country. His main approach was Bangabandhu was a globetrotter. He had legal constitution of utility companies, en- close friends in different countries. Some gaging right professionals and developing of his friends living in the Middle Eastern their skills through organizing trainings. It is I cannot help mentioning something here. countries convinced him that Bengal due to some of his farsighted initiatives Petrobangla started getting important data Delta would definitely have oil and gas Bangladesh is still getting energy supply at and information about offshore resources buried underground. He used to believe an affordable cost. Unfortunately, we could with the commencement of exploration this. His belief got further intensified after not go along with his visions and ideals activities. One senior executive of gas discovery at Haripur, Sylhet in 1956. completely. Petrobangla started copying these and He was the minister of the then East Pak- taking these in his personal possession. We Dr Mohammad Farashuddin made the istan government at that time. I do not were told that he was caught red handed observation in an exclusive interview think he started any work suddenly as a while handing these over to foreign with Energy & Power Editor Mollah bolt from the blue. Creation of organiza- companies. Bangabandhu was deeply Amzad Hossain. tion for power and energy, going to the shocked. The noted economist is the Chairman of Bay of Bengal and acquiring discovered the Board of Trustees of East West Uni- gas fields from a foreign company within versity. The founder Vice Chancellor of only three and a half was the fruit of his the university was also the Governor of plan sitting deep in his heart since long. Bangladesh Bank, the central bank of His mental preparation and tailored strat- Bangladesh. He worked closely with egy let him achieve these in a country re- Bangabandhu as his personal secretary covering from ruins. ergy Minister. These were extremely until August 15, 1975. You worked as his personal secretary meaningful. Engaging own reputed and from 1973-75. The historic creation skilled manpower was the outcome of The EP had talks with him about “Banga- his deep thought. Dr Habibur Rahman bandhu’s Energy Vision” and commencement of works on en- ergy and power sec- was an exemplary Bangladeshi resource marking the birth cente- SCAN THE QR CODE ’ tor organizations in Bangladesh s energy sector. nary of Bangabandhu TO WATCH VIDEO and golden jubilee of started during that Another aspect deserves mentioning. He independence of the period. How would started thinking about peaceful use of country. you evaluate Banga- nuclear power. He started talking seri- bandhu’s historic ously about it. The present reality of There was no option contributions of that under-implementation Rooppur power to ensure sustainable period? plant is his dream that is coming to be supply of fuel to facil- true today. itate economic devel- Please note that he cre- opment and building ated Petrobangla. He Oil market crash due to Arab-Israel war Golden Bengal. It was made Dr. Habibur Rah- was termed as oil shock of 1970s. Giv- Bangabandhu’s prime man its Chairman. Dr ing due attention to it, he took proac- vision upon his return Mafizuddin Chowd- tive measures in initiating offshore to Bangladesh. Please hury was made the En- exploration of oil in the Bay of Bengal.

March 16, 2021 45 How could he successfully take this to Algeria for training. We know very he was undaunted. Through his excellent initiative with limited resources within little about these works. Please in- negotiation skills, he could reach agree- the shortest possible time? form us about the initiatives. ments amicably. As you rightly pointed out, oil price globally Bangabandhu had very intimate relation Possibly the Finance Secretary of the went sky high due to closure of Suez Canal with the then Algerian President. At one Energy Ministry signed the agree- for Arab-Israel war. We were exclusively im- stage, he developed a strange feeling that ment. No one can remember this port dependent at that time. We had nothing his time was getting limited. From that now. Can you remember? of our own, but Bangabandhu believed that thought he started sending officials to Al- S A Khayer was Finance Secretary and Bangladesh had oil and gas buried under- geria. It merits mentioning here that Al- Hedayet Ahmed was Energy Secretary. ’ ground. Under his encouragement, model geria mediated Bangabandhu s So far I can remember, the Energy Secre- PSC was developed in no time following the attendance to OIC summit at Islamabad tary signed the agreement. guidelines of documents of Indonesia and and Pakistan announced official recog- Malaysia. The PSC bidding round was in- nition of Bangladesh. Developing collab- If we review the present energy policy vited. Encouraging response was achieved. oration with Germany and Russia for and strategy, we find Bangladesh may The PSC was concluded for exploration in energy and power sector development become 90% reliant on imported fuel six offshore blocks. He went to UNO for for- was also part of his plan. in 2030. On the birth centenary, is not mulating Law of the Sea. Bangladesh was it an about turn from Bangabandhu’s What was the background of bestow- the forerunner among the South Asian self-reliant energy policy? ing the ownership of mineral re- Countries in offshore exploration. It is major political matter. I do not have sources especially oil, gas and coal much knowledge about it. So far I know I cannot help mentioning something to the people of Bangladesh? the Northern region possesses substantial here. Petrobangla started getting impor- Bangabandhu encouraged exploration of reserve of superior quality coal. Open pit tant data and information about offshore oil and gas at offshore and onshore mining can make notable contribution to resources with the commencement of against the backdrop of global oil crash economic development. But the two main exploration activities. One Petrobangla following Arab-Israel war. It required political parties think that this would crash official started copying these and taking amendment of existing laws. Petroleum their vote bank. This mental state kept these in his personal possession. He was Act 1974 replaced Petroleum Act 1939. coal mining in a suspended animation. a senior executive. I do not want to men- The amended act established the rights Through a political dialogue, this can be tion his name. The allegations against of Bangladesh citizens over all natural re- resolved and mining should have started. him were not established. We were told sources buried underground. PPL was Global situation in 10-15 would not leave that he was caught red handed while working in Sylhet under that act during opportunity for mining coal. handing these over to foreign compa- Pakistan days. The abandoned works of I am sure coal utilization would have nies. Bangabandhu was deeply shocked. PPL resumed under BPL. This is what is started much earlier if Bangabandhu was Bangabandhu brought into attention SGFL now. Shell BV was the owner of alive. We have reached the point of now of UNO, the issue of maritime five discovered gas fields. or never. boundary disputes of Bay of Bengal The ownership of 5 discovered gas fields As an economist, I am not in favor of power with India and Myanmar. Please en- belonged to Shell BV. How Banga- generation with gas. Industrial use is much lighten us about it. bandhu managed to acquire these? more economic. Experts must be used to In 1974, he brought the issue of Maritime I have already mentioned Shell BV was formulate economic use of gas in other al- boundary dispute with Myanmar and working under royalty in 5 gas fields. ternative sector. If the government requires India to the attention of UNO. His Titas Gas Distribution Company was also more qualified advice, it can fall back to thought was also at that time to start ex- owned by them. Only Titas and Habiganj neutral countries’ experts from Sweden, ploration of gas and oil in the Bay of gas fields were producing gas at a limited Norway and Switzerland for developing Bengal. He understood it well that this scale. Petrobangla advised Shell to ex- appropriate comprehensive power and en- would create disputes eventually with pand transmission and distribution net- ergy policy. Political decision for way for- Myanmar and India. Possibly he wrote a works. Petrobangla served notice of ward can be taken on that basis. letter to UNO in anticipation of possible acquiring the five gas fields under the pe- But one important matter is unfortunately dispute, seeking help resolve the issue. I troleum act. This brought Shell to the missing in Bangladesh. There is no polit- am mentioning possibly as I could not table for discussion. Finally, on 9 August, ical dialogue on strategic issues of na- find it yet. On returning home, he formu- 1975, the date of birth of Begum Fazi- tional interest. It must be started lated Law of the Sea and started negotia- latunnessa Mujib, the agreement of pur- immediately. When it starts, media and tion with Myanmar on its basis. chase of the gas fields was concluded civil society can create pressure on po- between Petrobangla and Shell. The Bangabandhu did not limit his work litical leadership. in creating the organizations of price was only 4.5 million pound sterling power and energy sector. He initi- payable in 9 installments. I do not think fuel import is bad at all. But ated actions for comprehensive It may be mentioned here that Iran ran we have to choose the safest and cost ef- human resources development. into serious International Crisis while na- fective option. This has to be long term and Along with training professionals to tionalizing Oil and Gas resources. sustainable. But all our actions are taken on Germany and Russia, he sent officials Bangabandhu had this on his mind. But ad hoc basis unfortunately. EP

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