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Civil society’s movement is not uncommon in the world, but none of the countries abandon development programs, including exploration of their natural resources. That’s how energy, environment and water resources expert Engr. Quamrul Islam Siddique explains the debate going on across the world years after years. He appreciated the government for going for third round bidding despite the opposition from the civil society in Bangladesh.
“Similarly, the government shouldn’t waster time and take decision for coal exploration in the northern Bangladesh,” he said in an interview with the Energy & Power. The EP Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain and Reporter Shahria Shahrin took the interview. Following are the excerpts:
EP: We’ve been hearing about regional cooperation in the energ sector for long. Why we don’t see it in reality?
QIS: The main reason is lack in mutual confidence. There are lot of talks on power export, tri-nation power grid, SAARC power grid, import of hydro electricity from Nepal and Bhutan, SAARC energy ring and so. I along with a delegation visited Bhutan when I was the chairman of the PDB. The ADB was willing to finance a grid project, but didn’t progress much.
I don’ think implementation of a SAARC energy grid or energy ring is possible at a time. At first we’ve to identify some bilateral projects and implement. It can be a network to import electricity from India. Even if we want to purchase a part of hydro electricity being generated in Bhutan and Nepal we’ve to import through India. While visiting Bhutan, we understood this.
If we want cooperation in the energy sector, the politicians have to initiate at the top level. India already started it with Nepal and Bhutan. Otherwise, we’ll lag behind even there is scope to bring electricity from the neighboring countries.
EP: Do you think that the present situation is favorable for regional cooperation in the enrgy sector?
QIS: Why not? If Dhaka and New Delhi can decide on rice why not in the energy sector? We’ve no scope of showing luxury by sitting idle regarding energy which is the most important sector.
EP: Bangladesh in the SAARC Energy Ministers’ meet in Delhi last year had showed interest to import electricity from India, Nepal and Bhutan. Indian side informed that they don’t have adequate electricity to export. On the other hand, Nepal and Bhutan said that Bangladesh can invest in power projects in their rspective countries and impor electricity. Should Bangladesh take the opportunity?
QIS: Look, investing in hydro project is a mega affair. It’s not like export-import trade. I don’t think Bangladesh has the capacity to invest in such a project from its own fund. But, if a decision on regional cooperation is taken on the basis of political consensus, I think the donor agencies and local and foreign investors will show intrest to finance the projects.
I think, Bangladesh should take initiative for regional level cooperation for hydropower project in the river Shoptokoshi in Nepal. It’ll help Bangladesh bringing huge electricity alongside ensuring 100,000 cusec water in the Ganges during the dry season. The success of the project depends on sncerity of India. Bangladesh should political decision right now.
EP: People think that hydropower is cheap. Is it? We know if we want to buy electrcity from Bhutan or Nepal the cost will be higher. What do you say?
QIS: Hydropower is not very cheap. In Nepal, the price of per kilowat hour electricity is seven rupees. In fct, the cost of fund is the main aspect of a power plant. If loan is available at a lower rate of interest, the price of electricity will decrease. However, in no way it’ll be cheaper than Bangladesh.
EP: So, should the government start negotiations to bring electricity from Nepal and Bhutan brushing aside other thoughts?
QIS: They should start it now. However, the result we’ll not get the result before 7-10 years. Our present state of electricity is in a state that we’ve no time to waste. So, we’ve to implement the plan of increasing the capacity by 100 megawatt in Kaptai which is possible without going for any new infrastructure. On the other hand, we must increase power generation by exploring coal and new gas. It has no alternative.
EP: Availability of energy is a must for achieving MDGs. Do you think we can achieve it?
QIS: For this, we’ve to initiate steps right now.
First of all, gas sector. We didn’t have discovery in last seven years. But, the production capacity is higher than the demand. But, transmission is not being possible due to lack in infrastructure. So, we’ve to improve the gas infrastructure. If it’s not possible through public sector, it should be open for the private entrepreneurs. Siddhirganj, Meghnaghat and Ghorashal are big hubs for electricity. Steps immediate should be taken to set up pipeline to ensure gas supply in future. At the same time, the gas network project to be implemented by the ADB fund should be compeleted in time. Besides, we’ve to come out of the weaknesses in exploration and gas field management by skill use of human resources.
Stagnancy is also prevailing in my previous workplace, PDB.
All the institutions in the energy sector will have to come out of the situation, otherwise we’ll not be able to face the future challenge.
EP: Why this situation? What’s to be done?
QIS: The energy sector organizations could never work independently. Bangabandhu was successful in reorganizing the bodies by freeing the Petrobangla and other organizations from the interference of the ministry. Again, the chairman of the PDB was a minister. As a result, the bodies had not to face bureaucratic tangles. Now the organizations became ineffective. The chairman is appointed from the bureaucracy. The professionals don’t get chance to work. Manpower is not developed properly. Again, the benefit of the energy sector people in Bangladesh is so low that we can’t keep trained and efficient people in the country.
I think professional executives have to be appointed in the energy sector organizations. And it’s to be ensured that the appointment is not short-term. Regular recruitment and training have to be ensured. Moreover, their salaries and benefits have to be taken if not to intrnational standard, at least regional standard. And all the institutions have to be empowered with the capacity and power to take independent decision. Everybody should know that imposing decision from the ministry will not bring any fruit.
And also following the Indian example, we can hire private sector people from the posts of secretaries of this kind of ministries. It’ll help taking right decision.
EP: Corruption and irregularities are being unearthed in the energy sector after assumption of the present government. How do you look into it?
QIS: Irregularities and corruption must be arrested, there must be trial. But, the dependence for investigation into corruption in the energy sector shouldn’t be solely on the ACC people. Those who understand the sector should be included. Otherwise, despite right decision there must be negative consequences which will affect quick decision for future energy security.
EP: Will you please elaborate?
QIS: Say, hotpath has to be inspected after opening the turbine during the overhauling of a power plant. The spares have to be purchased if anything is required. Here normal tender procedure is not possible. But, if a person who is not aware of the technical aspect and investigates into the matter s/he will find irregularities. But, that’s the rule. We already witnessed such incidents and now are watching delayed decision making.
EP: We are watching civil society movement in the country who are opposing FDI in the energy sector. They are also saying that decision on energy sector should not be taken now, it’s to be kept pending for the elected government. Specially, they are active in regards to coal sector development. How do you see it?
QIS: Right you are. I would be happy if the movement is for skill development of the energy sector institutions. But, the civil society is not talking about the matter. The caretaker government took the right decision by taking steps for floating tender for oil and gas exploration in the sea. Our civil society is also opposing it. Again, they don’t want to explore coal of the northern region. In fact, they don’t welcome any foreign investment for the development of energy sector infrastructure. What do they want? They are campaigning for whose interest in the name of people?
Analyzing the development procedures of India and China, my understanding is that we need noth foreign investment and public-private partnership for the energy sector development. There are civil society movements across the world on energy sector, water resources and environment. There are movements in Nepal against hydro electricity projects. But, no country sat idle suspending the energy sector development. Our government, too, should not waste time and take decisions immediately.
EP: How do you look into the civil society’s movement on coal?
QIS: I think they are in a self-contradictory position. They say they want a happy and prosperous Bangladesh. Again, they say they won’t take any foreign assistance, will not allow FDI. But, if we want to take the GDP from 500 dollars to 2,000 dollars, we’ve to welcome technological and investment facilities. Still, they are talking about unrealistic matters.
These people are wise. They know Bangladesh’s development is not possible without energy. There is no alternative to ensure energy supply for growth and development. Still, it’s not clear to me why they are opposed to development although they know everything.
EP: What’s your opinion about the proposec coal policy?
QIS: Now there’s an effective energy policy in the country. The government can take decision on proposed and future projects in light of the policy. In fact, recommendations have been made after wasting long time in the name of coal policy. Here formation of an organization named “CoalBangla” has been proposed. But, is the government in a position to fund the company? Already, Barapukuria coal mine has been developed in the public sector, but the experience is not good. Now it’s a loss incurring company and the government is bearing the losses. Even, India having long experiences in coal development is not making new investment in the coal sector.
EP: How do you look into the debate over coal exploration and development of the western region?
QIS: I think the situation of the western region is now like the then East Pakistan. The industries in the zone are facing closure due to high cost of energy. Also, we’re not watching development of new industries. The caretaker recently set a good example by holding the meeting of the Advisory Council in Rangpur. Employment is not taking place in the agriculture surplus region. Without any further delay, they government should take special measures for overall development of the western region, including development of the coal sector.
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