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BSS-14
PLAN-MASTER-POWER
Integrated master plan for infrastructure needed: Nasrul
DHAKA, Mar 2, 2019 (BSS) – State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today underscored the need for an integrated master plan for infrastructure development.
“It’s a demand for the time to formulate a comprehensive master plan for infrastructure development aimed at ensuring sustainable development in the country,” he said at a ‘Meet the Energy Reporters’ programme onboard a vessel during a Dhaka-Chandpur river cruise.
The state minister said the electric car market share is on the rise globally and in the future, people will ride on electric recharge vehicles, “but a guideline is yet to be prepared in this regard.”
Responding to a question, Nasrul said prices of electricity or gas will not be a burden for common people if prices of gas or energy are adjusted upward as per the demand of the time.
“We will supply energy or power at an affordable price,” he said, adding that the Middle Eastern countries along with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia have expressed their interests for the first time to invest in Bangladesh.
“New foreign investment is coming for setting up power plants, oil refinery and petrochemical industries in Bangladesh. Bangladesh and the UAE signed MoUs (memorandums of understanding) for long time supply of LNG and for developing a land-based LNG receiving terminal,” he added.
Referring to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s recent visit to Abu Dhabi and the UAE, Nasrul said an MoU was signed for an integrated 800 MW-1000 MW LNG power plant to be constructed in two phases along with implementing a 100 MW solar power project.
Answer another question, he said Bangladesh needs $70 billion investment for generating 60,000 MW power and another $30 billion for development of energy sector within 2041.
The state minister said steps will be taken to extract local coal by using modern technology and protecting environment and consultation will be made with local people so that they are not affected in any way.
Chairman of Forum for Energy Reporters’ Bangladesh (FERB) Arun Karmakar presided over the event while Executive Director Sadrul Hassan moderated. Later, the state minister inaugurated the newly developed website of the organisation.
Responding to another question, Nasrul said the government is working to supply uninterrupted and quality electricity to consumers. “We encourage people to set up rooftop solar panel in urban areas for promoting net metering system.” Net metering allows individual solar panel owner to supply power to the grid and adjust their electricity bills.
BSS/ASG/SAS/TAN/BR/1845