Coal policy must to ease energy crisis

Staff Reporter

State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Hoq Tuku yesterday said that there is no other alternative but to approve the coal policy for electricity production. “We are working to present a concrete coal policy to nation for extracting coal uninterruptedly,” he said in a press conference, organised by Forum for Energy Reporters of Bangladesh (FERB) at the National Press Club. The FERB Chairman Mollah Amzad addressed the press conference, among others.
“If we are able to extract coal from Barapukuria, then we will extract coal from five other coal fields,” Tuku said, adding, ” The Government will use the coal for producing additional electricity.” He expressed his frustration on controversy over coal extraction and said that the coal and gas protection committee don’t want to extract coal. For additional electricity production, it is also urgent by needed to explore gas, the Minister said.
About offshore bidding, the State Minister said, “We are trying to come into a solution with the neighbouring country for offshore bidding.” The Government is also trying to strengthen BAPEX for gas exploration, he further said. He informed that the power ministry works for adding 714mw electricity in the national grid as a part of short-term strategy of the government within July next. But he cannot explain how it will be possible.
About installation of mega power plant, the Minister said that the government was negotiating with the Russia and some other countries to set up 1000mw nuclear power plant. “The process to set up 450mw Sirajgonj power plant will also continue,” he again said.

Source: The New Nation, Bangladesh
Link: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2009/04/02/news0663.htm
Date: 02 April 2009