Govt focuses on renewable energy for power generation

Planning to produce 40 per cent of electricity, the government is focusing on a master plan of long-term power generation system using renewable energy.

Besides, the rest 60 per cent electricity will be produced from gas, coal and oil, according to the government plan, said sources of the Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry.

The government is initiating the master plan centering the year 2050 with the assistance of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The master plan will focus on renewable energy for long-term energy resources as global community have decided to reduce the rate of carbon emission for environmental purpose.

Currently, only 8 per cent of electricity is being produced using coal while with production cost of each unit Tk 5.04 to 8.93.

Besides, 52 per cent electricity is being produced by gas and Liquefied natural gas (LNG). In gas-based power plant, production cost of each unit is Tk2.24 to 3.38.

Oil is being used for 33 per cent electricity production while per unit production cost for diesel is Tk 26.57 and furnace oil from Tk 10- 11.67.

On the other hand, renewable energy should produce 10 per cent electricity but producing less than one per cent, currently. The rest are being covered by water project and imports.

The country use four types of energy and Kaptai water power plant for electricity production where production cost of per unit is Tk 1.11.

Earlier, the government approved a total of 18 coal-based power plants since 2008, among them 13 projects which failed to complete within their fixed tenure were cancelled later aiming to produce green energy. Only five power plants will be operating after implementing the new plan of Power Division.

Experts were planning to use ammonia and hydrogen along with solar and air in the upcoming renewable energy sector. The European Union (EU) and the US have invested massively in research of producing electricity by separating Hydrogen from water.

Crisis in energy sector will be resolved if the trillion dollar research come up with positive outcome. Already, South Korea has established an experimental hydrogen-based power plant.

Hydrocarbon unit managing director Md Rafikul Islam told the Business Post “Energy planning was not mentioned in the previous plans. So, we have to consider what energy will be used, how they will be arranged and how their maximum use will be ensured.”

Dependency on coal and oil will be reduced in the future and renewable energy will be focused, he said, adding that, “We have to ensure highest use of imported LNGs in cases of gas and also keep plan for alternative resources like hydrogen, solar or air.”