Business Report :
Bangladesh’s private sector is lagging behind in production due to the lack of uninterrupted quality energy and power supply, which is hampering the country’s competitiveness in the international export market, Dhaka Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed said yesterday.
Regular implementation of energy audits in industrial units is now a must, and academia should be involved in sector-wise industry research and necessary ‘industry mapping’, he added.
Considering the current geopolitical situation, Bangladesh’s private sector is under considerable pressure, he said.
Ahmed made the remarks at a discussion jointly organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) and the South Asia Network on Economic Modeling (Sanem) on “Energy efficiency in the industrial sector of Bangladesh,” held at the Dhaka Chamber auditorium in the capital on Monday.
There is still no specific government action plan focused on energy efficiency, even though an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan was formulated in 2016 and an Integrated Energy and Power Sector Master Plan was developed in 2023, said Selim Raihan, executive director of Sanem.
Therefore, the issue needs to be considered with due diligence, he added.
He noted that definitional and conceptual differences regarding energy efficiency exist across various sectors of the country.
Moreover, Raihan pointed out significant barriers in the extraction and supply of the country’s energy resources.
It should be investigated whether the planned initiatives on energy efficiency have been implemented, what kinds of incentives have been provided in the industrial sector, and how effective they have been, he said.
He also emphasised the need to achieve technological advancement in this sector.
At the event, Sanem delivered a presentation on energy efficiency in the industrial sector, highlighting the current state of efficiency, the use of necessary technologies, standardised measurement tools, and how interrupted energy supply is undermining overall performance.
Mohammad Wahid Hossain, chairman of the Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council, said there is a communication gap in energy-related information, leaving the private sector often unaware of many government services and initiatives.
Asif Ibrahim, former president of DCCI, said industries, especially in the SME sector, are severely affected in their production activities due to energy shortages.
Bangladesh needs 3,800 million cubic feet of gas daily, whereas Petrobangla can supply only 2,900 million cubic feet, said Md Imam Uddin Sheikh, general manager of Petrobangla.
If the private sector wants quality, uninterrupted gas supply, they should move into industrial zones, as it is easier for energy distribution companies to supply within such zones, he noted.
