Nasrul Hamid
Finland keen to work for development of modern technology
Finland’s Ambassador to Bangladesh Ritva Koukku Ronde has offered the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources to work with the Nordic Research Council to conduct research for the development of modern technology.
She made this offer during a meeting with State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office at the ministry on Wednesday.
Expressing her country’s interest to expand its activities in Bangladesh, the Finnish envoy said that she believes that Finland has a good scope to work in different sectors of modern technology.
Finland can work together with Bangladesh to supply modern technology, she opined.
Welcoming the offer, Nasrul Hamid said that there are huge opportunities for investment in different segments of the power and energy sector including, renewable energy, smart grid, mini-grid, wind power, and setting up charging stations in the country.
READ: Finland eager to support Bangladesh’s sustainable development: Envoy
Both the ambassador and the state minister discussed different issues of mutual interests during their meeting.
Trade and Investment cosular of New Delhi Embassy of Finland Kimmo Siira, Economy and Commercial Matters Rai Chakrabarti were present on the occasion.
Specific policy needed to ensure cyber security of power sector: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has directed the officials of the power sector to frame a specific policy guideline to ensure cyber security of the sector.
“A protocol for ensuring external security as well as cyber security is very essential. You have to create a huge awareness about cyber security”, he told the officials while inaugurating a workshop titled: “Cyber Security in Power Sector–Policy and Operational Perspective” at Biduyt Bhaban in the city on Monday.
Bangladesh Power Management Institute (BPMI) organized the workshop for officials of the state-owned power sector entities.
Nasrul said the use of information technology has been increasing day by day in the country’s power sector.
Also read: Despite 40 pc surplus capacity, BPDB buys 6 pc of electricity from pricier rental power plants
“Different devices of the automated system have to be aligned with online communication. So, the risk of cyber threats is increasing. We have to create necessary awareness and achieve the efficiency to face unexpected challenges”, he said.
The function, with BPMI rector Mohsin Chowdhury in the chair, was also addressed by Power Secretary Habibur Rahman.
Khulna University of Engineering and Technology (KUET) Professor Kazi Md Rakibul Alam made a keynote presentation on “Fundamental Features of Cyber Security” while managing director of Dhaka Electric Supply Company (Desco) Kausar Ameer Ali on “Scope, Necessity and Policies of Cyber Security in Power Sector” and Microsoft chief information security officer Md Mushfiqur Rahman made presentation on Security in Power Sector-Cyber Threats, Design, Implementation and Monitoring Defensive Zero Trust Architecture.
The state minister said that research and development initiatives should be encouraged in promoting preemptive measures against cyber threat, risk management, facing security threat, and ensuring safety of information and reduction of supply chain risk.
Also read: Any rise in power, gas tariff to be suicidal: FBCCI
“Every organisation has to take initiative to develop the human resources in facing challenges against the cyber security threats,” he added.
Foundation stone of Bangladesh's first wind power plant laid
State Minister for Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid laid the foundation stone of the country's first wind power plant project in Khurushkul, Cox's Bazar Thursday.
"Renewable energy will play an important role in future power generation. The contribution of renewable energy in the energy mix of the country has been growing," he said while laying the foundation of the 60MW wind power plant in Cox's Bazar.
Read: Bangladesh Army ensures regional peace, stability: Army Chief
US-DK Green Energy (BD), a private firm, is setting up the country's first independent power producer (IPP) wind plant from which the state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) will buy electricity.
The sponsor company will invest $116.51 million to develop the plant which will have 22 turbines, each having a generation capacity of three megawatts and a height of 120m.
According to the BPDB, the plant will come into operation by December this year.
The state minister said more wind power plants will be set up across different places of the country.
Read: PM vows to uplift Bangladesh to a developed nation
He said the project is a part of the government's development plan in Cox's Bazar including the Matarbari power plant, deep seaport and LPG terminal.
Uninterrupted electricity at affordable price govt’s next challenge: Nasrul
The government’s next challenge is to ensure uninterrupted electricity at affordable price for all, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Thursday.
“Now, we’ll all work to ensure uninterrupted electricity at affordable tariff,” he said while exchanging views with reporters after the Power Division’s receiving of “Independence Award-2022” from the government.
The Power Division was given the Independence Award 2022 for successfully bringing 100 percent of the country under the electricity coverage by increasing the daily power generation capacity to 25,514 megawatt.
Read: Bangladesh makes good progress despite Covid pandemic: PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina gave away the highest national award to nine distinguished individuals and two organisations including the Power Division in recognition of outstanding contribution in their respective fields.
Nasrul said that after the achievement of the goal to ensure 100 percent access to electricity, peoples’ expectation has gone up. “Now people want quality power at an affordable price.”
He said the ministry will now give its all efforts to achieve the goal of uninterrupted electricity at an affordable price.
“We hope we will be able to attain our target by 2024,” he said adding this summer will create a new demand for 1500 MW electricity.
But primary fuel prices on the global market have increased by 4-5 times which creates a new challenge for the government, he added.
Read: PM distributes Independence Award to 9 people, 2 organisations
Power secretary Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Power Development Board Chairman Belayet Hossain and Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain were present on the occasion.
Many energy experts believe that though the electricity networks have reached all over the country, still many areas have to experience disruption in power supply due to weak transmission and distribution systems.
Govt doesn’t want to raise power, energy tariffs right now: Nasrul
The government doesn’t want to raise the tariffs of power and energy at this moment, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Monday.
“We’re trying to keep the situation stable through providing subsidies. But if any big change comes from the international perspective, then a decision may come from the government to raise the prices,” he said.
Nasrul was addressing a Meet the Press event on Payra Power Plant’s inauguration scheduled for March 21.
Also read: PGCB signs deals with Chinese JVs on 11 power grid substations in Khulna
He said the government has to count huge loss in the energy and power sector due to the price hike in global market for the Russia-Ukraine war.
He mentioned that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to inaugurate the country’s first 1320 ultra-super critical coal-fired power plant at Payra on March 21.
The developer of the plant—North West Power Generation Company Limited (NWPGCL) and Forum for Energy Reporters Bangladesh (FERB) jointly organized the function at the Biduyt Bhaban.
Nasrul said Bangladesh will reach a milestone through the inauguration of Payra power plant as it has been the first ultra-super critical power which is environment-friendly.
He noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will also announce the cent per cent coverage of electrification across the country through the programme.
He said currently the country's 99.85 percent areas and families are getting electricity as the country has been generating 13000 MW power.
Power Secretary Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) chairman Delwar Hossain, NWPGCL managing director Khurshed Alam, FERB chairman Shamim Jahangir and executive director Rishan Nasrullah were present on the occasion.
Also read: Bangladesh’s delayed import of electricity from 1600 MW Jharkhand plant in India may start in November
The state minister said the demand for electricity is rising by 200 MW per day.
Regarding the surplus electricity generation he said if there is no surplus generation, the country will have to experience load shedding in the coming summer.
He said the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has to incur a loss of Tk 80 crore per day due to the hike in the price of petroleum in global market.
“The monthly loss will be Tk 2500 crore if the situation continues. It is a big question, how far we could afford this huge loss,” he said.
Nasrul Hamid noted that there is no problem until now for project implementation in the country where the Russian firms are involved due to the sanctions on Russia.
Responding to a question, he said that though the Payra power plant will be inaugurated, it will need to wait until December this year to reach the electricity to Dhaka due to delay in implementation of the transmission line projects.
Govt working to keep gas price within tolerable limit: Nasrul
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said the government is working to keep the gas price within the tolerable level of people.
“We’re watchful so that any rise in gas price doesn’t create public discontent,” he said while talking to reporters during a visit to Titas Gas Company’s Tikatoli Zonal office in the city on Sunday.
He said it is the responsibility of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to assess the proposals of gas distribution companies and make its order on the issue.
Also read: Defying rejection, Petrobangla, 7 other distributors again push for gas price hike
The remarks came against the backdrop of the recent move by the state-owned company to raise gas prices.
They separately submitted their respective proposals to the BERC.
If the BERC accepts the distributors’ proposals, the monthly gas price for a double-burner will rise to Tk 2,100 from the existing Tk 975, while the price for a single-burner to Tk 2,000 from the current Tk 925.
Nasrul Hamid said the government has initiated measures to increase the economic use of gas as well as create public awareness about it.
He said gas exploration activities are going on as the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation incurs a loss of Tk 10 crore a day as it has to import petroleum at a much higher price from the international market.
Also read: Consumers brace for a big hike in gas price amid dwindling supply
The state minister expressed dissatisfaction over mismanagement of files at the office and asked the officials to introduce an automation system as soon as possible.
Power sector needs $65 billion investment to meet growing demand: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that Bangladesh needs $65 billion in investment in the power sector to meet growing demand.
He said there will be huge demand in power and energy sector as more than 40 economic zones are being developed across the country.
“These economic zones will create huge opportunity for industrial sector to set up manufacturing units,” he said while making a keynote presentation on “Power and Energy Sector: Change Ahead” at a seminar at the Bangladesh International Investment Summit 2021 at a city hotel on Monday.
READ: Nasrul Hamid visits Redbridge; highlights impacts of climate change on Bangladesh
The investment summit, organized by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), was also addressed by Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Asian Development Bank’s Bangladesh country director Edimon Ginting, International Finance Corporation’s regional head of industry, infrastructure and natural resources Isabel Chatterton, executive director-Gas to Power Business Development, Acwa Power of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) Ayad Al Amri, local Summit Group’s chairman Mohammed Aziz Khan, Chevron Bangladesh’s country director Eric M Walker and president of Bangladesh Independent Power Producers’ Association (BIPPA).
Nasrul said Bangladesh has been offering best policies in the region for the foreign investors to come in the power and energy sector.
“Specially, power transmission and distribution segment and renewable energy could be very potential sector for private investors”, he added.
Nasrul noted that steps have been taken to reduce carbon emission by 49 per cent in power and energy sector by 2030.
“We have already abandoned a number of coal-fired power projects that would generate 8500 MW electricity”, he said adding that the country’s power system master plan is being updated to promote green technologies in the sector.
He said plans are being undertaken to increase the use of electric vehicle to reduce the carbon emission.
READ: Bangladesh won't bow down to fundamentalist forces: Nasrul Hamid
Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury said Bangladesh is emphasizing more on clean energy development rather than renewable energy.
He said technologies are changing fast and Bangladesh is always looking for newer technologies in power and energy sector.
He said Bangladesh will invite foreign companies to invest in its offshore area for hydrocarbon exploration.
ADB country director Edimon Ginting appreciated the government’s current polities for promotion private sector investment.
He said ADB will always remain supportive to Bangladesh to help develop its infrastructures.
Ayad Al Amri said Saudi Arabia has been very experience in power and energy sector and his companies are keen to invest more in the sector in Bangladesh.
Ministry to offer financial support to promote research in energy, power sector: Nasrul
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that his ministry will provide financial support to promote research and creative works in the energy and power sector.
“We will provide financial support from Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council to any creative and research works by the new generation in the power and energy sector”, he said while addressing the economic award giving ceremony at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in the city.
A total of 788 students of the university received the academic awards for Spring Semester while 423 for Summer Semester and 572 for Autumn Semester in the function.
Appreciating the IUB move, the state minister said incentives and encouragement should be continued for good works of the new generation.
Also read: Planning to generate 40 percent electricity from renewable sources by 2050: Nasrul Hamid
He said reaching electricity to the grassroots level has resulted in expansion of economic activities.
Nasrul Hamid mentioned that a resolution was accepted by the United Nations to upgrade Bangladesh to the developing country’s category from the least developed countries (LDCs).
Now the young generation has to work to implement the vision to become a developed nation by 2041, he said.
Read: Clean energy to be imported from neighbouring countries: Nasrul
He urged the young people to get mentally prepared to match them with the developed world.
He also focused on the potentials of renewable energy in the country and advised the IUB authority to set up a rooftop solar power system on the roof of the university buildings with the help of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda).
Hamid says fuel prices to fall in line with global market
Fuel prices in Bangladesh will fall in line with prices in the international market, State Minister for Energy, Power and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid said Saturday, in the aftermath of the shock move to hike the prices of diesel and kerosene by Tk15 - over 23 percent - in one go.
The state minister could not say however, when that might happen, since price movements in the international market are dictated by market forces.
The IMF in its official blog does not expect the current surge in energy prices to ease until next year.
READ: PM monitoring situation over fuel price hike: Quader
"Our expectation is that these prices will revert to more normal levels early next year when heating demand ebbs and supplies adjust," said the blog post authored by Andrea Pescatori, Chief of the Commodities Unit in the IMF Research Department.
Hamid, speaking from Glasgow, tried to justify the hike by pointing out the government has also cut fuel prices in the past, in line with falling prices internationally at the time. “Fuel prices were cut in 2016. Now fuel prices have been readjusted with the hike in global prices and to prevent smuggling,” he said in a views-exchange meeting with reporters in Glasgow, where he is part of the Bangladesh contingent at COP26. The State Minister said the government refixed the prices of diesel and kerosene on November 4 in the greater national interest, and pointed out the diesel price is still lower than in some neighbouring countries, according to a PID handout. “Today (Nov 6) diesel price in India’s Kolkata is Rs 89.79, equal to Tk 104 per liter. The number of trucks entering the country everyday through the 26 land ports is also a matter of consideration. There is a possibility of fuel smuggling.” “We have to go for electric vehicles. If public transports could be made to run on electricity, it will be environment-friendly. These will reduce spending on importing fuel,” he added. The government raised the prices of diesel and kerosene to Tk 80 from Tk 65 at the retail level last Wednesday - a rise of more than 23 percent in one go.
An exceptionally rapid global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic-induced recession has seen global gas, coal and electricity prices rise in recent weeks to their highest levels in decades.
Natural gas prices have seen the biggest increase, according to the International Energy Agency, with European and Asian benchmark prices hitting an all-time record last week – around ten times their level a year ago at the height of the pandemic.
READ: Govt’s logic behind fuel price hike ‘unacceptable': Fakhrul In a statement, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources said, "Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has been incurring a loss of Tk 20 crore per day as it is selling each liter of diesel at Tk 13.01 lower than the import price, and each liter of furnace oil at Tk 6.21 lower than the import price." As such, it said the retail prices were being adjusted in line with the surging energy prices on the international market. The association of bus, truck and van owners went on an indefinite strike from Friday in protest against fuel price hike.
Clean energy to be imported from neighbouring countries: Nasrul
Steps will be taken to import clean energy from the neighbouring nations alongside the ongoing efforts to increase the share of renewable energy in the energy mix, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid.
He revealed the plan while addressing a presentation session of the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) on the country’s power transmission plan at a city hotel on Saturday.
Nasrul said new sources of renewable energies are coming up to boost the energy mix against the backdrop of global climate change.
Held with power secretary Habibur Rahman in the chair, the function was also addressed by Planning Commission member Sharifa Khan. Additional secretary of the power division Nurul Alam conducted the event.
Read: USAID launches new clean energy project in Bangladesh
Director of Power Grid Company India Limited Abhay Chowdhury made a presentation on the topic.