Opposition Leader Shafiqur Rahman has called for the formation of a special taskforce comprising political parties and technical experts to tackle the country’s ongoing electricity and energy crisis.
He made the demand in parliament today (7 September) after moving a notice for a brief discussion on a matter of urgent public importance. His notice focused on measures needed to address disruptions to power generation, factory closures, declining employment and economic losses caused by the severe gas and energy crisis.
During the discussion, the opposition leader said the government must present the public with a clear picture of the country’s electricity shortage.
“This crisis cannot be resolved simply by blaming one another,” he said, calling for transparency and accountability in major energy projects.
He also demanded an end to meter rental fees and demand charges, alleging that the charges were still being collected despite assurances in parliament that they would be withdrawn.
Govt hopes to end energy crisis by 2030
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit said the government has short-, medium- and long-term plans to tackle the energy crisis. He expressed hope that the situation would improve next year and said he expected Bangladesh to be free of the energy crisis by 2030.
He said an offshore bidding round had been launched for oil and gas exploration in the sea. The government has also undertaken a programme to drill 106 new gas wells, with work on 30 of them already under way.
Amit said the cost of purchasing LNG from the spot market had increased by Tk15,350 crore due to higher global energy prices and the crisis in the Middle East.
Scrapping meter rental fees
On concerns raised by consumers, Amit said Tk29,000 crore would be required to completely abolish meter rental fees.
The government aims to bring most consumers under smart prepaid meters by 2030 to eliminate irregularities in billing, he said.
Opposition MP Najibur Rahman described meter rental fees and demand charges as “digital extortion” and demanded their immediate abolition.
Govt plans at least 150 wells in five years
Planning State Minister Jonaed Abdur Rahim Saki said the current government is moving towards a more self-reliant energy policy.
Three proposals for drilling new wells have already been approved, while the government plans to drill at least 150 wells over the next five years, Saki said.
Work is also under way to build a pipeline from the Bhola gas field.
The government plans to generate 5,000MW of electricity from solar power and is also taking steps to strengthen the capacity of Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (Bapex), he said.
Home minister blames previous government
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed blamed the previous Awami League government for the current energy crisis.
He alleged that the previous government had pursued an import-dependent energy policy without giving sufficient priority to domestic gas exploration and production, partly to protect the interests of businesses that benefited from the policy.
He said the BNP-led government had taken various measures to move the country towards greater energy self-sufficiency.
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