Open-pit mining for coal extraction will be suicidal for the country, Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has said.
“Open-pit mining will not only affect the country’s large aquifers but will also destroy the valuable topsoil of our lands,” he said while addressing a webinar titled “Appropriate Fuel Mix for Sustainable Energy Security – Bangladesh Perspective” on Saturday. It was organised by the Bangladesh Energy Society (BES).
The PM’s energy advisor was defending the government’s position on not allowing any open-pit mining in the country, though some participants of the webinar spoke in favour of coal for power generation.
Dr Elahi termed the government’s decision to cancel 10 coal-fired power plants, having a total capacity of 8451 MW, as the right decision towards protecting the environment.
Special Envoy of Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) BES President Abul Kalam Azad was in the chair while the webinar was conducted by former power secretary Monwar Islam.
The function was addressed by Energy Secretary Mahbub Hossain, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) Chairman Mahbubur Rahman and Dr Mohammad Tamim, dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), among others.
International Energy Consultant Khondkar Abdus Saleque (Sufi) made a keynote presentation on the topic of the seminar.
Energy Secretary Mahbub Hossain said the country’s energy sector has been facing different challenges in the volatile global market situation.
He said implementation of the energy sector’s projects is time-consuming.
“If we go to implement a floating terminal for import of LNG, it will take at least 2-3 years’ time, while land-based terminals will take even more time,” he added.
He said global technologies in the energy sector are changing fast and selecting the appropriate technology is yet another challenge.
BPDB Chairman Mahbubur Rahman said the liquid fuel-based power plants are the costliest power producers, sharing 34 per cent of the total generation.
“Despite huge efforts, BPDB couldn't stop these power plants,” he added.
He also noted that renewable energy, especially solar power, has good potential in the country. However, unless there is an affordable storage system available, it will not be competitive in the tariff.
Dr Mohammad Tamim said there should be an integrated energy and power sector master plan.
He mentioned that the country has to pay a penalty of Tk 130 crore per month for failing to take power from the Payra power plant as the infrastructure is not yet ready.
The cost will further escalate when the Rampal power plant comes into operation, he observed.
Khondkar Abdus Saleque said an appropriate fuel mix to get affordable and reliable energy has been the biggest challenge for the country.
“The recent war between Russia and Ukraine has created further volatility in the global energy market that will have a big impact on the local market as well.
