Solar energy has the promise and potential of solving Bangladesh’s energy problem.
Source :The global warming due to greenhouse gas emission and the energy scarcity world wide are prompting almost all the countries in the world to look for alternative sources of energy such as nuclear and renewable such as solar, wind, geo-thermal and wave energies, which do not cause carbon emission. Whereas developed countries can tap into nuclear energy, a developing country like Bangladesh is not fortunate enough to have that option available. Consequently, the only option that is open to Bangladesh at the moment is renewable energy such as solar and hydro-electric. Particularly solar energy is sufficiently abundant in Bangladesh and can fruitfully be harnessed.
Bangladesh’s overall energy situation is quite precarious. Whereas country’s energy supply is diminishing, demand is relentlessly increasing. Rapid industrialisation, population growth, improvement in living standards etc are all putting pressures on the energy sector. Altogether, it can be said that supply and demand on energy in Bangladesh are grossly out of phase now. However, Bangladesh is not unique in this situation. Almost all the countries in the world (except the oil rich mid-eastern countries) are in this situation.
This article concentrates on solar energy and how solar energy can be used to pull the country from the quagmire of energy crisis. This energy is available throughout the whole country and it does not demand strong industrial base (unlike nuclear power) to harness it. Altogether, solar energy has the promise and potential of solving Bangladesh’s energy problem.
Bangladesh is facing an acute shortage of energy. The present capacity-limited gas production cannot simultaneously meet both domestic gas requirements and support electricity generation for domestic and industrial purposes. The rationing of gas supply to the fertilizer factories is going to affect the agricultural output. With load shedding across the country, industrial sector is adversely affected, with the consequence of reduced volume of industrial output and diminished export earnings.
Only 35 per cent of the population is somehow covered by electric supply through national grid. Even with such lower percentage coverage, the national power requirement is around 6000MW; whereas present generation capacity is only 3,800MW. This shortfall necessitates load shedding. Moreover, many of the power generating plants have outlived their original design lives and may cease operation at any time, with the consequence of aggravating national energy scene even further.
The Power Division of the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources of Bangladesh on 15 September 2009 had depicted a gloomy picture of country’s energy situation and advocated urgent actions. The Power Division had also proposed that no gas supply should be given to gas-fired power plants after 2012, in order to conserve diminishing gas reserve for domestic use only. To remedy the situation, the country has negotiated a deal with India to import 100 MW of power (Energy Bangla, 10 September, 2009). The Government has also negotiated with private companies renting power plants on a temporary basis and buying power at higher rates. The whole situation borders on national energy crisis management.
Summary
Solar energy promises to be a major source of energy in Bangladesh. Rapid industrialisation, urbanisation, high population growth, increased food production, rising standards of living etc all place unrelenting demand on the energy sector. On the supply side, gas reserve in Bangladesh is rapidly shrinking and most of the existing power plants are beyond their design lifetimes.
At this juncture of energy shortage, solar energy can play a vital role. Use of solar energy does not require high technology and technical know-how and it can be used by wider population in remote villages. On top of it, it is risk free and mainly maintenance free and durable.
Solar energy is beneficial to Bangladesh not only on environmental grounds but also on pure economic grounds. But before this energy takes off in Bangladesh in a large scale, national government and/or international organisations must provide stimulus and grants to companies involved in spearheading its use. In particular, the following consideration should be given:
1.As solar panels and associated accessories need to be imported to Bangladesh, the government should make adequate provisions to meet the foreign currency requirements.
2.As solar energy requires large capital expenditure at the front end of the business, government should provide, like almost all western governments, financial incentives in the form of grants, loans, stimuli etc. This is extremely important as without the stimulus, fledgling solar businesses cannot sustain upfront cost and survive.
3.The government should encourage and nurture start-up businesses in solar energy by facilitating import of solar products, giving credit guarantees and eliminating bureaucratic impediments.
4.As solar business is in its infancy, or at best in childhood, Bangladesh should capture this opportunity and become a major world player in this multi-billion dollar business. For example, high quality storage battery production for use with solar panels is well within the country’s technical capability and it will offer export potential and generate a huge foreign currency.
Related Posts :
