Solar and hydropower options to meet energy demands

The protracted war in Ukraine is manifesting itself in a volatile global economy; since the major developed countries are locked in a conflict, the global supply chain is severely impeded, resulting in hardship and suffering for developing nations. Bangladesh, along with other nations, are feeling the pinch as economy slows with an energy crisis already upon us.

At this juncture, the Adviser to the Prime Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has expressed optimism to overcome the ongoing power and energy crisis in the country created due to Russia-Ukraine war.

As per a TBP report, he was speaking at a roundtable titled “Energy security and development challenges for developing countries: Bangladesh case” organised by Hudson Institute, a think tank, in Washington DC recently.

Of course optimism in the face of adversity is a laudable trait and has been deemed as a major psychological condition in overcoming hardships; however, any positive feeling has to be buffeted by a strategic approach and the energy adviser has underlined the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels to explore solar power plus hydro power options.

The government certainly deserves kudos for taking electricity to the remotest of areas although the challenge now will be to keep the grids active. Once people become accustomed to power and the comforts that come with them, it will be difficult to take them back to a regressive state without electricity.

In a practical approach, the first step should be to emphasise on the harnessing of solar energy. This year has already seen relatively low rainfall with prolonged periods of sunny weather. While this long stretch of summer has a debilitating impact on human lives and agriculture, it also has a positive side since the sun can be the source of solar energy. Despite a lot of talk about solar power, Bangladesh has not seen a revolution with this energy. With energy crisis comes the opportunity to take solar power usage to every home, in both rural and urban Bangladesh.

China leads the world as the top producer of solar energy, installing more than 48 GW of photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2020. The EU, the United States, Vietnam, and Japan are ranked as top solar producers. Bangladesh can seek support from these nations, especially China since they are already engaged in several mega projects in the country.

In addition, a rural solar power campaign with the help of development agencies is a viable option.

The other energy related alley to explore is hydro power.

Bangladesh has finalised a power purchase agreement (PPA) with Nepal to import 500 megawatts of electricity from the proposed 900MW run-of-the-river hydroelectric power plant – Upper Karnali Hydropower Project – which is supposed to be developed by India’s GMR Group.

The state-owned lone electricity buyer, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) plans to draw electricity from this project from 2026. Bangladesh is also believed to be in talks with Nepal to permit private power producers from Bangladesh to invest in hydro power facilities in Nepal – a move which will be a boon for both nations as through generating power this will provide employment.

Everything said and done, the reality at the moment is harsh and despite taking a positive outlook, one cannot deny that the world is sliding towards a recession.

Energy conservation will be a priority which this country is currently going through. In a spirit of austerity, all sorts of extravagance needs to be spurned while efforts made to seek alternative ways to get power. A period of hardship is a catalyst for innovative ideas. Bangladesh has passed even harder times in the past and the stoicism of the nation will be called to action once more.