Speakers at an event on Saturday said that energy security is the key to sustainable industrial development while identifying awareness about energy efficiency, energy audits, energy conservation, financing and incentives, grid modernisation, implementation and communication as key priorities.
They came with such observations at a policy dissemination titled “Bangladesh Industrial Energy Efficiency Policy: A Draft for Sustainable Progress” held at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) in the capital. The DCCI and South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) jointly organised the policy dissemination.
Speaking as the chief guest, Jalal Ahmed, the chairman of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), expressed regret over the lack of significant progress in both offshore and onshore gas exploration, despite experts' frequent warnings that Bangladesh's domestic gas reserves will disappear by 2030.
As a result, the country is unable to use its own gas resources and instead depends heavily on imported gas, he added.
Jalal added that as the energy sector is deeply interconnected with the entire economy, the government continues to provide subsidies in this sector.
He pointed out that the current efficiency level in the energy sector is around 30 per cent, and by improving this, the overall shortages – particularly in the electricity sector – could significantly be reduced.
“If the RMG sector prioritised renewable energy use, the situation could improve more rapidly,” he added.
Dr Selim Raihan, Professor, Department of Economics, University of Dhaka and Executive Director, SANEM, presented the keynote paper. He stated that although Bangladesh has a master plan for the energy sector, the industrial sector is struggling in the absence of supportive policies.
He added that energy efficiency is not clearly or uniformly defined for industrial applications as a result, industries are not uniformly incentivised to adopt energy-efficiency practices.
He mentioned that in the focus group discussions jointly organised by DCCI and SANEM, stakeholders from RMG, cement, steel, the commercial sector, and government agencies have been interviewed to understand the sector-specific conditions and requirements for energy efficiency improvement.
Awareness about energy efficiency, energy audits, energy conservation, financing, and incentives, as well as grid modernisation, implementation, and communication, were identified as key priorities.
Participants recommended energy audits, expansion of logistics services and increased supply of gas and electricity for the survival of the energy sector.
Dr Raihan emphasised the importance of a structural strategy, supply-side strategy and policy and regulatory strategy for the sector.
Dr Md Rafiqul Islam, Member (Admin & Finance), Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) said that as energy security is equally important as national security and food security, it requires full cooperation from all relevant stakeholders.
He noted that reliance on imported energy increases business costs and emphasised the need to prioritise domestic energy resources.
He mentioned that energy imports amounted to around US$20 billion in the last fiscal year, indicating ample opportunity for greater private-sector involvement.
Dr M Rezwan Khan, Chairman, Power Grid Bangladesh PLC & Professor Emeritus, Dept. of EEE, United International University (UIU), said that without revising the existing tariff structure, the ongoing problems of this sector cannot be resolved.
He added that electricity tariffs must be differentiated between peak and off-peak hours. There is a common misconception that flaws in the electricity supply system are responsible for load shedding; however, he clarified that a major cause of electricity shortages is the government’s insufficient funds for fuel purchases.
In his welcome remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said that ensuring an uninterrupted energy supply to Bangladesh’s industrial sector has become one of the major challenges, which is hampering production, investment, and overall economic growth.
He said that ensuring uninterrupted energy supply is not only a policy priority but also a prerequisite for sustainable industrialisation.
The DCCI President emphasised reducing dependence on fossil fuels, expanding the usage of renewable energy, establishing a detailed sustainable energy framework and preventing wastage to save the country’s industrial sector and economy.
Manwar Hossain, Chairman, Anwar Group of Industries & Former Director, DCCI, Mohammed Amirul Haque, President BCMA & Founder & Managing Director, Premier Cement Mills PLC, Mostafa Al Mahmud, President, Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), Eng. Md. Serajul Mawla, President, Bangladesh LPG Autogas Station & Conversion Workshop Owner’s Association, Vidiya Amrit Khan, Vice President, BGMEA & Deputy Managing Director, Desh Garments Ltd. S.M Monirul Islam, Deputy CEO & CFO, IDCOL also spoke.
In the open floor discussion, former DCCI Senior Vice President Malik Talha Ismail Bari, former Director M. Bashirullah Bhuiyan, and member M.S. Siddiqui also spoke.
DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, members of the board of directors and representatives from public and private sectors were also present.
.jpg "LPG cylinder price reduced to Tk1,885 in Bangladesh")
