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The global energy policy is drastically changing fossil fuel to renewable sources saving the planet by reducing climate catastrophe. In continuation, Bangladesh has taken the target of 40 per cent power generation from clean sources by 2041.
According to the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), signature of the renewable energy commitment is not reflecting in the upcoming national budget. No new renewable energy projects have been taken up in FY24 but a slight decrease compared to the FY23. The data has found in a CPD study. CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem presented the research in a hotel in Dhaka on Thursday (June 22).
Not only renewable energy but also domestic oil and gas exploration have been neglected in the new national budget, Golam Moazzem mentioned. CPD and three renowned energy experts Professor M Shamsul Alam, Badrul Imam and Izaj Hossain at the presentation session strongly criticized the government policy that reflected in the upcoming national budget.
Most of the countries in Europe including neighboring India and China are drastically developing renewable energy sources but Bangladesh is lagging behind in policy support, institutional weakness, public-private investment in renewable energy development.
In the proposed budget, a record TK 34,819 crore has been allocated for power and energy sector. Of which, 93 per cent will be spent on power sector development. Besides, the energy sector allocation has been decreased at an alarming rate where only TK 911 crore has been allocated which is 48 per cent less than FY23.
By this negligence, the government is promoting expensive LNG imports by excluding domestic sources of cheap energy, thereby jeopardizing the country's economy in the long run, CPD added.
Distinguish Professor of Dhaka University Badrul Imam was present at the event, said, the ongoing energy crisis is self-made. Our long-standing reluctance to explore own energy sources is now hit hard the country’s power generation. Bangladesh is a deltaic zone which is similar with geological structure of Nigeria and US Gulf to gas rich. There is a possibility of getting huge gas in offshore and onshore area, he added.
There are 17 projects for power generation in the proposed national budget. Besides, there are 15 projects in transmission, 30 in distribution, 24 in gas and LNG related and 6 in renewable energy projects. There are eight renewable energy projects in FY23. Of them, 5 out of 6 in the proposed budget are generation and one distribution project.
However, almost all the projects will be completed soon. Meanwhile, 14 renewable energy based power plants are in the pipeline but not actually allocated in the budget.
According to the think tank, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina calls to make irrigation based on solar energy. Through this, it is possible to save $1 billion annually by saving 3.5 million tons of diesel. But only 2,954 solar irrigation pumps have been installed after her directives. But there are 1.3 million diesel based irrigation pumps in the country.
India government is helping farmers to spread solar irrigation pumps across the country through the KUSUM programme. China's Gansu, Habei and Jiangsu provincial governments have installed solar irrigation pumps where there are grid and off grid connection systems. According to CPD, solar irrigation pumps should be available in the country under such a programme.
Former BUET Professor Ijaz Hossain said on the occasion, the government is more interested in LNG and coal-based power development than the exploration of renewable energy and domestic gas because there have interests of various parties. But there is no alternative to renewable energy for cheap and sustainable energy, he added.
The CPD recommended for establishing of a separate ministry for renewable energy. Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) should be vibrant and independent institution for a strengthening the renewable energy sector.
