Master plan must support period out fossil fuel-based vitality: CPD
The government's proposed grasp anticipate power and energy should help Bangladesh phase out fossil-fuel-based and expensive generation system and guide it towards cleaner electricity, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) said yesterday.
On Sunday, the government signed an arrangement with the Japan International Cooperation Organization (Jica) for a fresh power system master approach, with a perspective to promote a minimal or zero-carbon transformation of the total energy source and demand system.
The decision to get ready the master plan is a welcome move, said the CPD.
This is particularly important when Bangladesh is along the way of the energy transition with a view to scaling down the use of fossil fuel and boosting the use of renewable energy.
"Overall, another plan must show a good clear path towards strength transformation found in Bangladesh," explained CPD Exploration Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem while making a presentation throughout a virtual dialogue.
The think-tank organised the programme titled "Proposed Vitality System Master Program (PSMP): Challenges of Projecting Rationale Electricity Demand".
Naoki Ito, Japanese ambassador to Bangladesh, said: "Recently, we engaged in drafting a master plan to develop the strength sector of Bangladesh."
The expert plan project aims to promote a low or zero-carbon transformation for all types of energy by maintaining a well balanced supply of energy and ensuring financial viability.
It will also strengthen the convenience of policy and planning development and energy data management, he said.
"We also need to address areas such as for example climate change and focus on the energy mix."
Mohammad Hossain, director-standard of the energy Cell under the power division, stated: "We are lagging far in back of in renewable strength. But we are steadily advancing towards our goal."
Without coal-based and nuclear power plants, Bangladesh will never be able to encounter electricity needs, he said.
However, through long-term organizing, attention is gradually concentrating on the zero-carbon transformation of the total energy program, he said.
In a paper, the CPD explained the power sector needed to address several emerging challenges because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The challenges include excess capacity, enormous capacity payment, inefficiency, the utilization of expensive energy, and an increased financial burden.
The new plan should be drafted taking into consideration the limitations of the previous plans and should aim to reduce excess installed capacity in a phased manner and transition to clean power by gradual phase-out of fossil fuel and phase-in of renewable energy, the paper said.
The program should strictly mention about no-extension of quick rental power plants after the existing contracts expire and the discontinuation of power plants that are dated and inefficient and so are using expensive energy.
The plan should discourage fresh investment for generation, particularly through fossil fuel and LNG, and should highlight investment in transmission and distribution of electricity, it said.
The brand new plan is likely to prioritise gradual phase-out from the administered power tariff to the market-based ones.
"Necessary protection ought to be ensured for the target groups such as for example low-income persons and SMEs," the CPD said.
The Bangladesh Strength Regulatory Commission ought to be more transparent and independent to make decisions regarding setting power tariff, it said.
Given the advancement of the power and strength sector, the program should advise repealing the "Speedy Way to obtain Vitality and Energy Act" instantly, the CPD said.
Moazzem said the importance of formulating a fresh master plan increased due to aggravated structural and operational issues and changing electric power demand amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
About 89.4 per cent of the web generation of energy in Bangladesh is directly reliant on fossil fuel.
"So, it is rough to implement a low or zero-carbon system. Nonetheless it is an effective initiative for the sector," the economist said.
CPD Distinguished Fellow Mustafizur Rahman moderated the dialogue.
Mohammad Alauddin, chairman of the Sustainable & Renewable Strength Production Authority, M Tamim, professor for petroleum and mineral methods engineering at the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Ijaz Hossain, a professor for chemical substance engineering at the Buet, and Anu Muhammad, a professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University, also spoke.
