Power and Energy Sector News and Discussions

[nayeem007]

According to my family the power situation is the worst in recent memory, apparently there was less load shedding even during the corrupt BNP rule. On top of that, we have not even hit the summer months yet! So much for "Digital Bangladesh"...

[iamgr8]

The present situation in power sector is the worst ever in the history of the country. We get electricity for 1 hr or 2 after 2 hrs load shedding. I have never seen such horrific situation ever. Govt. has now stooped gas supply to all seed production factories for some days to give those extra gas to generate more power . Hopefully situation will be better in coming days as 500 / 600 more MW power will be generated by those additional gas.

[samaruf]

All of us marvel at the different high rises coming up in Dhaka with their shiny facades and very modern designs. What we seem to forget is that each one of these buildings is a power hog but there's no extra generation in the grid to accommodate the demand. If the emergency diesel generator fails or runs out of fuel(5000 taka/day in our Uttara apartment), life becomes totally miserable. The elevator doesn't work(very hard on the elderly), water can't be pumped up and food in fridge/freezers start spoiling.

The govt should use a sizable portion of our foreign exchange to build power stations as quickly as possible and make sure to cut off the hands(guess it's tendons in BD) of any "bastard" that tries to obstruct the process.

[nayeem007]

PM goes to Sylhet today
Opens a pvt power plant at Fenchuganj

Staff Correspondent, SylhetPrime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate Barakatullah Electro Dynamics (BEDL), a private power plant in Fenchuganj in Sylhet at 11:00am today.

She will offer special prayers at the shrines of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Shahporan (RA).

Later she will hold meetings and exchange views with BEDL officials and political leaders at the Sylhet Circuit House.

It will be her first visit to Sylhet after assuming office as the prime minister.

According to PDB officials, BEDL has been supplying 50MW electricity to PDB's national grid since last October without any major hiccup.

The plant was supposed to generate power from January 1, 2009 but complexities related to the import of plant machinery led to the delay, company officials said.

They signed a 15-year contract on April 28, 2008 to set up a power generation plant on a six-acre area in Kachubahar in Fenchuganj, very close to the 90MW combined cycle power plant of PDB.

BEDL was launched by a group of some non-resident Bangladeshis and local entrepreneurs in 2007. The company has a plan to set up another plant nearby.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=132774

[nayeem007]

Glad to see some non-resident Bangladeshis becoming part of the solution not just through constructive criticism of the government but by actually participating in the cause.

Like many others I indulge in pointing fingers at government for all problems/issues, but to actually go back home, persevere against all odds and making a difference is a completely different story!

[samaruf]

The title is from today's Daily Star:

"...She also urged the Bangladeshi expatriates to invest in the country and assured them of providing with all sorts of facilities....
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=132896

By facilities I hope she means making sure that cronies in her party don't line up for ghush or chanda.

A Minnesota Bangladeshi is working on a solar project and has ambitious plans of building solar panels in Bangladesh at low cost. I think a scheme needs to be developed whereby idle money instead of lying in the banks or inflating real estate prices should be used for infrastructure development. The govt. could promise good rates of return or give some other facilities to these people.

[TIslam]

Originally Posted by samaruf

The title is from today's Daily Star:

"...She also urged the Bangladeshi expatriates to invest in the country and assured them of providing with all sorts of facilities....
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=132896

By facilities I hope she means making sure that cronies in her party don't line up for ghush or chanda.

Yeah, dream on. And even if she promises, she or for that matter any other high official, won't be able to deliver.

[TIslam]

Now that natural gas reserves and production has become uncertain, what are all the new power plants being based on?

[nayeem007]

Originally Posted by TIslam

Now that natural gas reserves and production has become uncertain, what are all the new power plants being based on?

Probably coal, I saw an article in Daily star regarding using "open pit mining" in order meet the increasing demand.

On the long run, Nuclear and offshore energy resources are the key.

[TIslam]

Originally Posted by nayeem007

Probably coal, I saw an article in Daily star regarding using "open pit mining" in order meet the increasing demand.

On the long run, Nuclear and offshore energy resources are the key.

Without assurance of long term supply of reasonably affordable fuel sources, large energy generation project will never become viable.

GoB keeps talking about nuclear energy but I'm yet to see any concrete steps in that direction, which leads me to believe it is long way off.

[nayeem007]

Originally Posted by TIslam

Without assurance of long term supply of reasonably affordable fuel sources, large energy generation project will never become viable.

GoB keeps talking about nuclear energy but I'm yet to see any concrete steps in that direction, which leads me to believe it is long way off.

Power is such a key ingredient for economic growth that I would even supporting importing electricty from Nepal and NE India (atleast on the short run, before we can ensure supply of coal, gas).

[TIslam]

Originally Posted by nayeem007

Power is such a key ingredient for economic growth that I would even supporting importing electricty from Nepal and NE India (atleast on the short run, before we can ensure supply of coal, gas).

Quite right. Although there's frequent talk about importing electricity from NE India and Nepal, it isn't as if those areas have surplus production of electricity? So, how does that work?

I am of the opinion, the government, should make electricity generation priority number one among all (infrastructural) development projects, and throw down the gauntlet on it. All focus and efforts should be on this and nothing else. Perhaps then we might see some results.

[iamgr8]

Power, Gas Production
Time-bound plan by month-end
Staff Correspondent

The government by the end of this month will announce a time-bound detailed action plan for increasing power and gas production in the country.

"The statement will mention how many megawatt of power will be generated, when the tender will be invited, by when the agreements will be signed, and when the plants will go into production," Finance Minister AMA Muhith said yesterday at a pre-budget views exchange meeting with Economic Reporter' Forum (ERF) in his office.

He also said the size of the next fiscal year's budget will be between Tk 1,30,000 crore to Tk 1,32,000 crore, with an Annual Development Programme (ADP) of Tk 38,000 crore.

In the next budget the GDP growth target will be 6.7 percent, while a target will be set to keep inflation within 6.5 percent, Muhith added.

When ERF members focused on the ongoing severe power and energy crises, the finance minister said an action plan for increasing power and gas production is almost ready, which might be announced by the end of this month.

The minister told the journalists, "You will then know what the government has done in that regard. However, in the case of gas, it will not be possible to say specifically how much will be available. We will announce five development plans."

He said boosting power and energy production, and containment of commodity prices will get the highest priority in the next budget.

The government already took a good number of initiatives for successful implementation of budgets, Muhith said. The planning minister has been reviewing the progress of budget implementation every month. The Economic Relations Division (ERD) secretary has been monitoring the projects funded by foreign aid. As a result a good progress has already been achieved in budget implementation, while more progress are expected, the minister added.

He said solar panels will be installed in Bangladesh Secretariat for power generation next year, so others are also encouraged to use solar power. The Prime Minister's Office, and Bangladesh Bank already installed solar panels, he pointed out.

Muhith said solar panels and rainwater harvesting systems will be installed at all government high-rises in the future, a project for which was approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

ERF President Monwar Hossain, Vice-president Shahnewaz, General Secretary Abu Kawsar, and other members of the forum participated in meeting where Finance Secretary Dr Mohammad Tareq, ERD Secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan, and Banking Division Secretary Shafiqur Rahman Patwari were also present.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=133017

[TIslam]

I watched a documentary/news segment (can't remember which), where they profiled a village in Denmark, an entire island actually on energy self sufficiency. The power source (electricity) for the island are wind turbines and solar panels. They also harvest rain water and recycle it for everything other than human consumption (cooking, drinking). Once it came a successful endeavor it has spread throughout the country.

I think, in Bangladesh, they should mandate the use of solar panels and rain water re-usage for any new construction, public or private (they could be exemption for single family homes or small apartment complexes).

[hakz2007]

Economists suggest energy solution

Economists in a pre-budget discussion have suggested giving area-wise instead of countrywide subsidy and energy incentives to small and medium entrepreneurs for at least next two years.

The economists also urged the government to impose capital gain tax on the banks and city congestion tax to reduce traffic jam. They made the call yesterday at the pre-budget discussion with Finance Minister AMA Muhith held at the Finance Division.

Former finance adviser of the caretaker government M Hafizuddin Khan said the government should form a commission to find out why the ADP could not be implemented and suggest remedies.

A large number of entrepreneurs and households are producing electricity due to ongoing power crisis using diesel-run generators, which eat up a huge amount of fuel.

Hafizuddin said the government could consider setting up a diesel-run power plant for the capital.

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Executive Director Mustafizur Rahman said there is no possibility of power deficiency being overcome in next two years as per the government plan.

The government should give energy subsidy to small and medium entrepreneurs for at least two years to make up for the losses incurred due to power crunch.

The government is going to take a big size ADP but the finance minister’s budget speech should spell out which ways the ADP would be implemented.

BIDS Research Director Rushidan Islam suggested formulation of a special scheme for areas affected by climate change and disasters. She said the government could make allocations for coastal employment schemes and disaster insurance schemes in the next budget.

She added before giving any privilege to the readymade garments factory owners, the government should ensure that the workers are given proper wages and other facilities.

Former governor of Bangladesh Bank M Farash Uddin suggested formation of an accreditation council to improve quality of education in the public and private universities. He said the council must be given sufficient independence.

Agricultural economist Mahbub Hossain said the price of agricultural equipment has fallen much in the international market. So, instead of giving countrywide agricultural subsidy, he suggested subsidy for selected areas.

Chartered accountant Mashih Malik Chowdhury said capital gain tax should be imposed on the banks as they are making huge profit by investing in the share market.

He said at present the tax rate on the banks is 42.5 percent, but if their profit on share market is taken into account, the rate of real tax on them goes down to below 20 percent.

Malik suggested imposition of city congestion tax to reduce traffic jam.

CPD researcher Fahmida Khatun said budgetary allocation should be made for rainwater harvesting to combat water crisis.

Former finance secretary Mir Mostafizur Rahman recommended stopping scope to whiten black money in the next budget. “For God’s sake, stop giving scope to whiten black money by giving some tax on purchasing house and cars,” he said.

M Motiul Islam, chairman of Industrial and Infrastructure Development Finance Co Ltd, former adviser of the caretaker government Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury, former president of Bangladesh Economic Association Dr Qazi Kholiquzzman Ahmed, BIDS Director General MK Mujeri, Prof Khandker Bazlul Haque and Prof Ashrafuddin from Dhaka University, BIDS Research Director Protima Paul, Prof Nurul Islam from Buet, and CPD researcher Uttam Kumar Dev also spoke.

Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman, Finance Secretary Dr Mohammad Tareq, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Dr Nasiruddin Ahmed, ERD Secretary Musharraf Hossain Bhuiyan and Banking Division Secretary Shafiqur Rahman Patwari were present.

http://www.bangladeshnews.com.bd/201...ergy-solution/

[nayeem007]

Grameen Shakti plans to double green tech sales

Sohel ParvezGrameen Shakti has set a target to double solar home system (SHS) sales in 2010 and establish more biogas plants and improved cook stoves to expand green and sustainable energy.

It aims to sell 2.20 lakh solar home systems in 2010. The 'not-for-profit' company said it sold 1.13 lakh solar home systems in 2009.

Along with focusing on expanding the sales of improved cook stoves, the organisation will increase more biogas plants -- a jump by almost four times -- from over 4,000 units in 2009 to 16,000 this year.

“We want to expand and promote renewable energy technologies in rural areas to enable more people in the off-grid areas to access electricity,” said Abser Kamal, acting managing director of Grameen Shakti, a member of the Grameen family.

Grameen Shakti plans to establish 10 lakh SHSs and one lakh biogas plants, and construct 10 lakh improved cook stoves by 2012.

In addition to saving on kerosene costs, Kamal said it would create thousands of new green jobs and generate income opportunities for the rural people.

Established in 1996 to provide green energy solutions to rural areas with no electricity, GS has so far installed over 3.6 lakh PV (photovoltaic) SHSs, benefiting around 30 lakh people, according to Kamal.

As per installation, the power generation capacity of these SHS is 17.5 MW.

“These SHSs reduced consumption of thousands of litres of kerosene that these households would have used otherwise,” said Kamal. By one estimate, he said, about Tk 180 crore worth of kerosene has been saved, thanks to the SHS.

The Grameen Shakti official said the organisation crossed the 3.5 lakh SHS installation mark mainly due to faster sales since 2006.

“In the initial years, sales were slow. But we have registered about 50 percent growth a year from 2006,” said Kamal.

He linked the sales growth of SHSs to a rise in awareness among the rural population.

Network expansion by Grameen Shakti and offers to sell SHSs both on credit and cash also helped lure buyers to green energy technologies in the rural areas.

The company also hit stride by establishing biogas plants by using cow dung, poultry droppings and organic waste, enabling rural households to enjoy gas for cooking and electricity.

In five years to 2010, Grameen Shakti established around 11,000 biogas plants. Owners of many of these plants are now generating income by selling excess gas to other neighbourhoods.

“Currently, we are installing 500 biogas plants a month,” said Kamal.

In a bid to promote sustainable energy technology, the organisation now makes a mark in making improved cooking stoves, which are believed to cut fuel wood consumption by up to 50 percent than traditional stoves.

According to Grameen Shakti, improved cooking stoves help households reduce firewood consumption from 20 kilograms to 40 kilograms, saving between Tk 250 to Tk 500 a month.

Kamal said the company is now examining the feasibility of solar thermal water heaters, so that consumers can heat water without using gas or electricity.

In response to consumer demand, the company also started installing SHS in homes on the urban grid areas.

“But our main focus is on the rural areas. We are not promoting the solar power systems in urban areas. But if anyone wants to establish solar systems in urban areas, we respond to them,” said Kamal, adding that most do not advance after knowing the installation costs.

“Urban households want different options, like running fans, lights and refrigerators. But when we share the prices, they lose interest.”

“We do not get any soft loan to establish solar systems in urban areas. That is one reason installation costs are higher.”

Presently, state-owned financial institution IDCOL (Infrastructure Development Company of Bangladesh Ltd) offers soft loan and grants to organisations working to expand green energy, mainly solar home systems in the off-grid rural areas.

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=134438

[TIslam]

Originally Posted by nayeem007

Grameen Shakti plans to double green tech sales

Sohel ParvezGrameen Shakti has set a target to double solar home system (SHS) sales in 2010 and establish more biogas plants and improved cook stoves to expand green and sustainable energy.
.............
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=134438

I wonder how much those solar power units cost in Bangladesh? Here in the US, it isn't cheap. On the average, it costs $12000 ~ $16000, install on a new or retrofit an existing home. Even with a 30% government subsidy it ain't cheap.

[nayeem007]

Aggreko Signs Bangladesh Temporary Power Deal Worth $150M
LONDON (Dow Jones)--Aggreko PLC (AGK.LN), a provider of temporary power and temperature control services, has signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Power Development Board, or BPDP, worth an estimated $150 million over three years, for the provision of 200 MW of temporary power.

MAIN FACTS:

-The will become effective as a contract following customary procedures and approvals.

-Bangladesh has recently been affected by power shortages caused by increased industrial and domestic demand.

-Although the Government has embarked on an ambitious program to increase the capacity of the national grid, power demand is now exceeding supply, with the result that widespread power cuts are inhibiting economic development.

-In order to bridge the immediate gap between power supply and demand, Aggreko will provide turn-key power packages to BPDP, which will feed power directly into substations connected to the national grid.

-100 MW of power will be provided at 132 kV, with the other half provided at 33 kV.

-All aspects of the power packages, from design, mobilization and commissioning to operation and maintenance, will be provided by Aggreko.

-The first tranche of power will be operational on July 1, with the entire project scheduled to be commissioned in August 2010.

-Shares at 1346 GMT up 29 pence, or 2.5%, at 1183 pence.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-...EHeadlinesAsia

[nayeem007]

I think the above is a good move by the government, Nuclear and Coal power plants to generate 1000 MW power will take years to implement, but the country is having severe electricity production issues right now. The temporary measure will help boost economic activity through increased industrial production.

$150 million is not a small amount for a country like Bangladesh, so I hope the feasibility and Pros/cons were measured before making the decision.

[BTV_is_neutral]

Originally Posted by nayeem007

I think the above is a good move by the government, Nuclear and Coal power plants to generate 1000 MW power will take years to implement, but the country is having severe electricity production issues right now. The temporary measure will help boost economic activity through increased industrial production.

$150 million is not a small amount for a country like Bangladesh, so I hope the feasibility and Pros/cons were measured before making the decision.

it is a good step as so far as giving us some immediate and short term relief.

I voted for the AL, and want them to succeed. But what our politicians and experts need to do is..be proactive not reactive.

I would have much preferred that the power ministry and all related departments had got together sometime in the middle of winter n had this conversation

"jeez we said we would give power to the farmers, so irrigation runs smoothly...but with it being summer, and another year having passed....demand has risen, things are going to get VERY UGLY. So we better come up with some emergency steps for now...and start planning and executing things for next year."

Instead...we had nothing. Simply that power isnt produced in a day, and for 5-6 years we have added nothing...well thats great. N i understand the need to be patient, but the power issue HAS to be the agenda of yesterday/today/tomorrow.

I/We simply want power....even if it is slightly more than the 'market rate' bcoz the amount of man hours we lose due to loadshedding is surely a bigger loss to the nation?

So whether its from Nepal/Bhutan/India or bloody Ancient Persia...i dont care, lets get past the political dogma and slogans, and sort this out.

Also the argument that loadshedding is worse now than ever....well yeah obviously it is. I remember 10 years ago in Dhanmondi we would have loadshedding very infrequently...as our power usage has increased n demand has increased...so the gap has widened between demand and supply. So the argument the power situation is worse now than under BNP/CTG is a bit naive...

Its like saying the traffic jam in dhaka is worse now than it was 3 years ago...of course it is....we have hardly had any new infrastructure, yet every months hundreds of new cars join the roads.