‘Import-dependent fuel supply policy is reason behind current gas crisis’
UNB :
Speakers at a webinar on energy sector on Tuesday said that the country’s current gas crisis is a result of the government’s excessive interest in import-dependent fuel supply policy.
“In the last 15 years, much more emphasis was laid on import of LNG (liquefied natural gas) leaving aside the development of the local gas sector,” said Maqbul-E-Elahi Chowdhury, a former member of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission.
“We could not take proper initiative to explore the local onshore and offshore gas in our country”, he said while addressing the webinar titled: “Philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Energy Security, Achievement and Implementation Status.”
He said that the philosophy of Bangabandhu was to develop the local gas sector which he outlined in detail in his plan.
He proved it through taking over five gas fields from an international oil company which now plays a vital role in the country’s energy security.
The webinar, organised by Bangladesh Energy Society, was also addressed by, Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, eminent energy expert Dr M Tamim, former principal secretary to the Prime Minister Abul Kalam Azad, former chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) ASM Alamgir Kabir and Summit Group chairman Mohammed Aziz Khan.
Dr Tawfiq Elahi said he has been trying to convince US Company ExxonMobil to invest in the country’s gas sector for the last 10 years.
“Now it has offered to invest in the country. But I don’t know why ExxonMobil became interested after 10 years, for my persuasion or for other reasons. It’s not clear whether
it will invest or not,” he said.
Also outright rejected the idea of developing the local coal sector saying that it will destroy our valuable agricultural land and underground aquifer.
The PM’s advisor said that solar and wind power could be complementary for each other as solar can produce power at daytime when wind can give better output at night.
