CPD-Prothom Alo-The Daily Star dialogue in Sylhet

Ensure 50-yr energy reserve for security

Staff Correspondent, from Sylhet
11 May, 2003

An estimation of at least 50 years' natural gas demand is needed to ensure energy security for sustainable development, a regional consultation said yesterday. Access to secured and reasonably priced energy, particularly for industry and agriculture, is very important for growth, it observed.

Easy access to energy will reduce time spent in collecting bio mass as fuel for household use and boost productivity and income of small home-based businesses. The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the consultation titled 'Development and Governance of the Energy Sector' in collaboration with The Daily Star and the Prothom Alo at Hotel Polash in Sylhet yesterday afternoon.

It was held under the regional consultation meeting of the National Policy Review Forum 2003. Dr Professor Jainal Abedin, head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Polymer Science, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST), chaired the meeting while Vice-chancellor of the Sylhet International University Professor Dr Sadruddin Ahmed Chowdhury was the chief guest.

Nuruddin M Kamal, member-secretary of a taskforce on the issue, presented a keynote paper. Vice-chairman of the Bangladesh Cha Sangsad Safwan Chowdhury stressed the need for raising per capita energy consumption. He also called for immediate, effective measures to reduce systems loss in power sector and stressed formation of a renewable energy development agency.

Murshed Chowdhury of the SUST suggested review of the production sharing contracts (PSCs) with international oil companies and working out new ones. Brigadier (rtd) Jubayer Siddiqi, principal of Scholarshome College, said alternative sources of energy should be tapped as the proven reserve of natural resources is too limited.

Private sector power generation is also to be increased immediately, he added. The session was also addressed, among others, Dr Kamal Ahmed Chowdhury, associate professor, Department of Sociology, the SUST; Dr Akhtarul Islam and Farhana Siddiqi of the SUST and Professor Syed Akmal Mahmud and Khaled Ahmed, lecturers of the International University.