The global fuel price hike sparked by the Russia-Ukraine war coupled with dwindling gas reserves off late prompted authorities to adopt fast track projects exploring solar energy, while experts suggest the wind power could be another major source to negate the crisis, reports BSS.
“We expect to get another 1,000 mw power exploring the solar power under a recently adopted fast track project,” energy ministry’s Power Cell chief Engr Mohammad Hossain told the media.
He added that the Power Development Board (PDB) started selecting appropriate locations to install solar panels under arrangements with independent power producers (IPPs).
The power cell director general said three projects were underway to promote wind power in southern coastlines as Bangladesh moved to enhance the stake of clean energy sources in the national energy system as part of meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“Bangladesh now generates more than 948.03 MW power from renewable sources against the production of plus minus 11,000 mw, which is over 5 percent of the total generation,” Hossain said.
The average officially estimated demand for power is around 11,800 mw.
Prime Minister’s energy affairs adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury recently expressed worries that the global energy crisis could hit Bangladesh badly urging all to be restrained in energy uses particularly against the backdrop of a jump of LNG prices as well as the petroleum.
“It is the utmost demand of the time to move in fastest possible time to explore solar and wind power . . . this is the only option to save our industry and meet the routine household demand in cheapest price,” former power cell director general BD Rahmatullah said.
He said if all policy supports and logistics were provided the country could produce 36,000 mw wind power in less than a year as international studies suggested “Bangladesh has a huge potential for wind energy, negating an existing perception”.
Bd-pratidin English/Tanvir Raihan
