[🇧🇩] Energy Security of Bangladesh

[Saif]

JICA and Power Division host workshop for improving power quality

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thedailynewnation.com

JICA and Power Division host workshop for improving power quality
23 May 2024, 12:00 am
Business Report :

With a vision to improve nationwide power grid frequency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Power Division jointly organised a workshop at the Power Division on Sunday.

Md Habibur Rahman, BPAA, senior secretary of Power Division, Md Mahbubur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and Ichiguchi Tomohide, chief Representative of JICA Bangladesh office, attended the workshop along with relevant officials from the government and development partners.

Following the grid failure and countrywide blackout incident on October 4, 2022, JICA conducted a study to prevent blackouts and improve grid stability.

In the report, the JICA study team shared their findings and recommended several short-term, mid-term, and long-term countermeasures to improve power quality.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Beyond renewables: A coordinated and just transition for Bangladesh

Diversifying domestic energy sources into renewables is crucial because of the current dwindling gas reserve and no new exploration

www.thedailystar.net

Beyond renewables: A coordinated and just transition for Bangladesh

VISUAL: SHAIKH SULTANA JAHAN BADHON

Bangladesh is lagging behind its renewable energy targets, with the current capacity standing at just four percent relative to the target of 10 percent by 2020, making it unlikely to reach the target of 100 percent by 2050. Yet, the success of the latest Conference of the Parties (COP28) agreement to substantially increase renewables in the next decade relies heavily on Asia, where many countries like Bangladesh are struggling to keep up.

Conversations and debates are plentiful around energy sources: renewables versus fossil fuel, and the challenges with renewables like high land requirements for solar expansion. However, what it takes for developing countries like Bangladesh to achieve a green transition gets limited attention.

So what are the crucial aspects of successful renewable energy transition that must be considered for a country like Bangladesh?

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Bangladesh explores energy efficiency technologies at global summit in Kenya

Young Consultants chief executive and Certified Management Consultant M Zakir Hossain has recently held a productive discussion with the Ministry of Power of Kenya and the secretary general of the International Energy Agency at the 9th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency....

www.newagebd.net

Bangladesh explores energy efficiency technologies at global summit in Kenya
Staff Correspondent 23 May, 2024, 22:18

| Press release photo.

Young Consultants chief executive and Certified Management Consultant M Zakir Hossain has recently held a productive discussion with the Ministry of Power of Kenya and the secretary general of the International Energy Agency at the 9th Annual Global Conference on Energy Efficiency, said a press release on Thursday.

The event that took place in Nairobi in May 21-22 marks the first of this type of conference in Africa, underscoring the IEA's strengthened collaboration with Kenya, now an Association country of the IEA, the release said.

'The discussions cantered on how Bangladesh can leverage the latest advancements in energy efficiency technology showcased at the summit. Mr Zakir's participation highlights Young Consultants' commitment to global energy efficiency initiatives and represents a significant opportunity for Bangladesh to adopt new technologies and best practices emerging from the conference,' it read.

'As Bangladesh aims to expand its economy fivefold, the country's energy demand is expected to increase substantially. In response, the Bangladeshi government with assistance of Japan has developed the "Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) 2023," outlining medium- and long-term policies to establish a low-carbon, decarbonized society,' it said.

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[Saif]

Gas discovered in Kailashtila well no-8 in Sylhet

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) has discovered new gas in Well No-8 of Kailashtila Gas Field in Sylhet. Officials of Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL) revealed this on Friday after the excavation work. With the new discovery, gas has been found in four wells

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Gas discovered in Kailashtila well no-8 in Sylhet
BSS
Published :
May 24, 2024 21:54
Updated :
May 24, 2024 21:54

Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) has discovered new gas in Well No-8 of Kailashtila Gas Field in Sylhet.

Officials of Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL) revealed this on Friday after the excavation work.

With the new discovery, gas has been found in four wells of Sylhet in the last seven months, SGFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman confirmed.

He said since January last year, Bapex started the digging in well no-8 of Kailashtila Gas Field.

Mizanur said gas has been found at a depth of 3,440 feet to 55,000 feet and now 21 million cubic feet of gas is being extracted daily from the field on experimental basis.

He hoped that they would be able to go to operation in full swing within next three months.

According to officials concerned, the SGFL authorities have been continuing the exploration and drilling of wells in Sylhet since last year. As a part of that, the excavation work in Kailashtila well no-8 started in early 2023 spending about Tk 1.5 billion.

About 100 million cubic feet of gas is now being added to the national grid from the production wells of Sylhet Gasfield Limited.​

 

[Saif]

Govt to allocate Tk 350bn in power subsidy for FY25

The government is going to allocate Tk 350 billion as a subsidy for the power sector in the upcoming national budget to settle capacity charges and other bills owed to private electricity producers, officials said. The rising debt burden to private electricity producers, including Independent Powe

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Govt to allocate Tk 350bn in power subsidy for FY25
FHM HUMAYAN KABIR
Published :
May 26, 2024 00:00
Updated :
May 26, 2024 00:00

The government is going to allocate Tk 350 billion as a subsidy for the power sector in the upcoming national budget to settle capacity charges and other bills owed to private electricity producers, officials said.

The rising debt burden to private electricity producers, including Independent Power Producers (IPPs), requires this huge budgetary allocation, according to the officials.

The Ministry of Finance has finalised the national budget for the next fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, due for announcement on June 6, an official said.

The power subsidy will mainly be used to clear outstanding bills owed to IPPs that supply electricity to the national grid every month.

A senior finance ministry official said Tk 350 billion has been earmarked in the upcoming budget to pay the outstanding electricity bills owed to power producers.

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[Saif]

Threats to energy security

THE daily demand for natural gas at present in our country is around 3,880 million cubic feet. The daily supply, however, is approximately 3,056mmcf, leading to a daily deficit of roughly 824mmcf...

www.newagebd.net

Threats to energy security
Ghulam Muhammed Quader 27 May, 2024, 00:00

| — Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha

THE daily demand for natural gas at present in our country is around 3,880 million cubic feet. The daily supply, however, is approximately 3,056mmcf, leading to a daily deficit of roughly 824mmcf.

The sector-wise deficit is as follows: Electricity: 452.65mmcf, industry: 197.52mmcf, households: 82.3mmcf, fertilizer: 57.61mmcf, compressed natural gas: 24.69mmcf and commercial: 8.23mmcf, resulting in a 21.21 per cent shortfall across sectors.

Two floating storage and regasification units, FSRU, are now used for receiving liquefied natural gas from imported ships and putting it into our gas supply system. Liquefied natural gas is unloaded from ships into these FSRUs, each with a capacity of 500mmcf.

Therefore, to import more liquefied natural gas, the number of FSRUs and their facilities would need to be increased. Additionally, the national grid's pipeline has not been equipped to handle more than 1,000mmcf. As a result, it is currently not feasible to import additional liquefied natural gas and supply it to the national grid. Moreover, establishing these facilities is time-consuming.

The average per year import cost for the four financial years from 2018–19 to 2021–22 amounts to Tk 21,416.75 crore. If the current deficit of 824mmcf were to be met through imports, the cost would nearly double the current expenditure on liquefied natural gas import, given that currently 1,041mmcf are imported.

However, it is evident that the government lacks the financial capacity to address this shortfall. Furthermore, even if additional liquefied natural gas were imported, technical constraints such as the lack of existing facilities would hinder its unloading and supply to the national grid.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

High import duties barrier to renewable energy sector: Dr Atiur

Favourable tax policy for the growth of the renewable energy sector is pivotal for realising the prime minister’s vision of sourcing 40 per cent of the country’s energy need from renewable sources, said Dr Atiur Rahman, former governor of Bangladesh Bank. The high import duties and tax

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

High import duties barrier to renewable energy sector: Dr Atiur
Removing duties and taxes may reduce the cost of installing solar systems by 8-11pc

Favourable tax policy for the growth of the renewable energy sector is pivotal for realising the prime minister's vision of sourcing 40 per cent of the country's energy need from renewable sources, said Dr Atiur Rahman, former governor of Bangladesh Bank.

The high import duties and taxes currently imposed on input solar energy systems are creating a serious barrier, he said.

The former central bank governor and also an emeritus professor of the University of Dhaka Dr Atiur Rahman said this on Monday while chairing a pre-budget seminar titled 'Favorable tax policies for renewable energy sector in the National Budget'.

The panel discussants in the session organised by Unnayan Shamannay were BIBM Faculty Member and green finance expert- Khondker Morshed Millat, Director of the Institute of Energy, University of Dhaka- Dr Nasif Shams, and internationally acclaimed renewable energy entrepreneur Dipal C Barua.

Representatives from think tanks and civil society organisations along with media professionals and renewable energy sector stakeholders participated in the discussion session, says a media release.

Dr Atiur further pointed out that removing the duties and taxes imposed on inputs such as solar inverters and solar panels may reduce the cost of installing solar system by 8 to 11 per cent.

Considering these, he believes, these taxes and duties should be completely removed or at least significantly reduced in the coming National Budget with the intention of promoting solar energy in Bangladesh.

Khondker Morshed Millat added that without the right set of tax incentives solar energy entrepreneurs will not be able to capitalise on the available green finance from commercial banks and NBFIs.

Tax incentives must be ensured to reduce prices of solar energy systems which in turn will increase the demand for solar energy in Bangladesh to a significant extent, said Dr Nasif Shams.

He further added that with the desired level of increase in demand for solar energy, local entrepreneurs may even be interested to produce the said inputs domestically.

Products imported for renewable energy must not be equated with other imports, said Dipal C Barua.

While the government may lose some revenue by exempting all duties and taxes on solar energy-related imports, the possible reduction in fossil fuel expenses due to the expansion of solar energy will much higher- he added.​

 

[Saif]

Renewable energy will save 5,000 MW power: Saber

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Saturday said that if the country's agricultural irrigation pumps are converted to renewable energy, it could save 5,000 megawatts of electricity. The minister made the remarks at 2nd Dhaka Renewable Energy Financing Talk o

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Renewable energy will save 5,000 MW power: Saber
Published :
Jun 01, 2024 23:21
Updated :
Jun 01, 2024 23:21

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Saber Hossain Chowdhury on Saturday said that if the country's agricultural irrigation pumps are converted to renewable energy, it could save 5,000 megawatts of electricity.

The minister made the remarks at 2nd Dhaka Renewable Energy Financing Talk organised by Change Initiative at the Bangabandhu Military Museum in the capital today, BSS reports citing press release.

Aiming to combat climate change and promote sustainable development, the government is committed to increasing the production and use of renewable energy, he said.

As part of implementing a green, clean, and climate-resilient economy, the government is working to reduce reliance on coal for electricity production and encourage the use of renewable energy, he added.

Due to limited land availability, initiatives are being taken to install floating solar panels on ponds or water bodies for fish farming underneath or to place solar panels on rooftops, the minister said.

The minister further said: "We are encouraging the private sector to invest in renewable energy projects. The government has set a goal to produce 40 per cent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2041. This goal is crucial for ensuring energy security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability."

Highlighting the need for cooperation across all sectors of society to achieve this vision, Saber said that investment in renewable energy infrastructure and technology, including solar, wind, biomass, and hydropower, is essential.

"To attract both domestic and international investors, we must create a supportive environment with financial incentives and transparency," he added.

The minister said that renewable energy not only reduces carbon emissions but also creates employment, improves public health, and enhances the quality of life.

He stressed the importance of innovative financial instruments in this transformation, such as green bonds, climate funds, and public-private partnerships.

He said:"We expect grants, not loans, from the developed world. The role of research and development in this sector is highly significant. By building strong partnerships and taking bold steps, we can make renewable energy the cornerstone of our nation's progress and prosperity."

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​