Home ›› 05 Aug 2022 ›› Front
Bangladesh will face a “dark situation” in terms of gas supply in future if the government does not initiate gas exploration now, experts told a seminar on Thursday.
They criticised the government for not exploring gas in the Bay of Bengal in the last 10 years despite immense potential.
The speakers made the remarks at the seminar titled “Energy Security for Sustainable Development” and organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at the chamber’s auditorium in the capital.
Dhaka University’s geology professor (retd) Dr Badrul Imam said the country could have been in a better position now if the government properly explored gas in the last 10 years.
“We are happy with our economic growth, but not with gas exploration. Despite achieving maritime victory against Myanmar and India, there have been no activities in the Bay of Bengal in the last decade,” he explained.
He also said gas production at the Bibiyana field would fall by 50 per cent in five to six years. “The government must explore gas now to tackle the upcoming sharp fall in gas supply.”
Presenting the keynote, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology professor (retd) Dr Ijaz Hossain called on the government to fully open the fuel market and allow free and fair competition.
He said the gas utilisation policy should be consistent with the current reality of liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports.
The government should facilitate the availability of alternative fuel types, such as coal, liquefied petroleum gas, oil, firewood, and agricultural residue, so that industries have options to choose from, the academician said.
He further said industries having large compounds should explore solar energy’s thermal prospects.
FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin urged the government to strengthen Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) for better gas supply to industries.
“We need low-cost fuel supply to remain competitive in the global market. But we do not get enough gas from BAPEX,” he said.
“We want energy security to operate industries. The government should make long-term plans to meet Bangladesh’s fuel demand.”
He said it is impossible to operate industries without gas and electricity while operating costs of businesses increased highly in recent times due to the global fuel market’s unstable situation caused by the Russia-Ukraine war.
Industries should be prioritised to achieve the country’s vision in due time, Jashim said.
“By maintaining the environment, we can make huge solar power systems and use coal-based plants like the US and India to meet domestic demand. We must reduce import dependency and increase domestic gas production,” the business leader added.
He also urged the government to explore gas in the Bay of Bengal, which Myanmar has been doing for long.
Dr Ahmad Kaikaus, the prime minister’s principal secretary, said imported gas prices increased as it is related to coal and oil prices.
“We urge all to save gas and electricity. Otherwise, our exports will suffer more in future. The government always thinks about ways to protect our industries,” he said.
Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, power, energy, and mineral resources affairs adviser to the prime minister, said gas production had increased by 40 per cent between 2009 and 2022, thanks to the government’s dynamic activities.
“Industry and agriculture will get priority in power rationing,” he said, attending the event virtually as the chief guest.
“We are not interested in extracting coal from mines in Dinajpur as it will destroy arable land. I request the media to find out who are opposing coal-fired plants. They want to destroy the country by protesting against such plants in the name of protecting the environment,” added Tawfiq-e-Elahi.
