Prime Minister’s energy adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury on Saturday urged business people to prefer the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) while setting up their new industries as the government is planning to supply uninterrupted power supply there, reports UNB. “We want you to take your future industries to the Special Economic Zones. We’re planning to ensure uninterrupted and quality power supply there. We’ll also give you priority there in proving energy as well,” he told business leaders. Speaking at a seminar, he further said, “So, go to the SEZs as those will make it easier for us to provide you with special support. We’d first thought about economic zones to solve land problem and strengthen economic development. Now we want you to give preference to these zones while setting up industries.” Dhaka Chamber of Commerce of and Industry (DCCI) arranged the seminar, titled ‘Prospects and Challenges for Industries in Energy and Power Sector of 7th Five-Year Plan’, at its auditorium. He said it was often said the government could not make progress in increasing in primary fuel supply though it achieved good progress in power generation. “But, now the primary fuel supply has increased by 45 percent.” Elahi said they are taking various plans and steps to improve the generation of power and energy and the supply of that for the development of the country’s industries, agriculture and overall economy. “We’re finding out a new paradigm of economic development and we’ll follow the path with courage. Korea had no any source of primary energy, they made a good progress. But, were not in so bad position as Allah has given us some sources of it,” he told the seminar. Mentioning that there is no reason to be scared about the primacy source of energy, the PM’s energy adviser said they are working out a plan to create 100 wells in the next five years, 20 ones each year on average, to meet the growing demand of energy.” Besides, he said, “We’re importing LNG and taking steps for land-based LNG. We’re also trying to import piped gas from our neighbouring countries. Our neighbouring countries can swap gas. We’re in discussions with Myanmar and India’s Tripura state to import gas. Tripura has gas but it can’t use it.” Elahi said they are also now focusing on extensive research on power and energy by universities, Bangladeshi scientists at home and abroad, different institutions and private sector for strengthening the sector. He claimed that the country’s 70 percent people are now enjoying electricity facility, which is contributing towards improving their lifestyle, education, health and generating employment. Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) member Rahman Murshed emphasised finding out alternative sources of energy due to the limited reserve of natural gas. DCCI president Hossain Khaleda said many investors have set up various factories and industries at different parts of the country, but could not operate those for lack of power and energy connections. He urged the PM’s adviser to take initiatives for giving power and gas connections to those industries on priority basis. Buet Professor Mohammad Tamim presented the keynote at the seminar and said despite 706 mmcfd increase in gas production during 2010-2015, about 500mmcfd supply shortage remains while there is a negligible increase in new reserve. “If nothing changes (1 tcf yearly usage and 14 tcf remaining reserve) gas can be supplied for 14 years. If the demand increases at 7percent the gas will be exhausted in 2013,” he observed. According to a study of 2003, Tamim said, there is a 95 percent probability of finding 8.4 tcf new gas. “There should be long-term strategic view to meet the primary energy demand for the next 15-20 years.”
