Nasrul Hamid
Bangladesh won't bow down to fundamentalist forces: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said Bangladesh belongs to everyone and it will not bow down to fundamentalist forces.
"People from all castes and creeds shed blood to liberate this country," he said in a Facebook post with a picture showing an arson attack in a Puja venue.
Also read: No religious excesses, says PM Hasina
Published from his verified Facebook account, it said, "We don't want to see this kind of picture. Such a picture is heart-breaking and insulting."
“It is the high time to resist them,” he added.
Nasrul for taking prudent steps to ensure energy security
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has directed the officials concerned to take realistic steps to ensure energy security in the country.
“You’ve to take a pragmatic and prudent move against the backdrop of the global energy market’s volatile situation so that Bangladesh could continue the high economic growth,” he told energy sector officials on Monday.
He was addressing a discussion meeting marking “Sheikh Russel Day 2021” at Petrobangla in the city.
Also read: Nasrul for technology sharing for development of renewable energy
The state minister also advised the officials to accelerate hydrocarbon exploration and production in the country.
He said Bangladesh has been able to create a positive image abroad under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The function, held with senior secretary of the energy division Anisur Rahman in the chair, was also addressed by Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) Chairman ABM Azad and Petrobangla Chairman AMB Abdul Fattah.
Also read: Planning to generate 40 percent electricity from renewable sources by 2050: Nasrul Hamid
Nasrul urged all to remain alert against any attempt of miscreants to create anarchy in Bangladesh to destroy its image.
He said the miscreants and killers impeded the development of the country through the assassination of Father of the nation Sheikh Mujibur Rahman along with his family members.
Nasrul for technology sharing for development of renewable energy
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has called for sharing of advanced technologies to overcome land scarcity problem in the development of renewable energy.
He made the call while virtually addressing the first Asia Green Growth Partnership Ministerial Meeting on Monday.
It is an urgent need of the time to equally distribute the advanced technologies for development of clean energies, he said.
Also read: Year-wise roadmap made to implement renewable energy policy: Nasrul Hamid
The online conference, chaired by Japan’s Minister of Economy, Commerce and Industries Horoshi Kajiyama, was also addressed by Saudi Arabia’s Energy Minister Prince Abdul Aziz Bin Salman Bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Commerce and Technology Minister of the United Arab Emirate Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Indonesia’s Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Arifin Tasrif and Executive Director of International Energy Agency Dr. Fatih Birol.
If there is a stronger cooperation among the nations, Nasrul said, the use of clean energy will be increased fast.
He informed the meeting that Bangladesh has taken up a year-wise plan to implement various renewable energy-related projects.
Nasrul said Bangladesh has set up 6 million solar home systems in the country’s remote areas through which about 20 million people are getting benefit of electricity.
Also read: Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
Anet metering system was introduced to popularize the rooftop solar systems while solar-run pumps are being used for irrigation purposes.
He mentioned Bangladesh is implementing 5 wind power projects to generate 245 MW power while 50MW electricity will come from a waste-to-energy power plant project.
Initiatives have been taken to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan while the power system master plan is being updated to promote renewable energy.
Planning to generate 40 percent electricity from renewable sources by 2050: Nasrul Hamid
State minister for power, energy and mineral resources Nasrul Hamid has said that Bangladesh is planning to generate 40 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2050.
“We want to generate 40 percent of our electricity from renewable sources by 2050. Power system master plan is being updated to achieve the target,” he said while addressing the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy on Friday.
Through a video message to the event he said that a draft roadmap-2041 is being reviewed by the government for implementing solar power projects. Currently projects are being implemented as per the renewable energy roadmap-2030.
He mentioned that about 20 million rural people came under the electricity coverage through solar home systems in the off-grid areas of the country.
Also read: Renewable energy could be Bangladesh’s best option post Covid-19
“Among other options of renewable energy, solar power has huge potential for Bangladesh. But since it required huge amount of land, it needs innovative solution,” he told the conference.
Nasrul Hamid said Bangladesh is now promoting the options of rooftop and floating solar and net metering system has been introduced to popularise the use of solar power.
“There is a good opportunity to work on wind-power as well,” he said adding that wind mapping has been completed for 9 potential sites and feasibility will be conducted on the potential for offshore wind-power.
Also read: Emphasis on increasing renewable energy’s share in power generation: Nasrul
The state minister mentioned that liquefied natural gas (LNG) and nuclear energy are going to be used as primary fuels for base-load power plants while import of electricity is getting importance in the power generation plan.
He said Bangladesh has been importing 1,160 MW of electricity from neighboring India while the country desires to import electricity from clean sources like hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan and solar power from India in future.
Introduce customer-friendly electric vehicle recharging policy: Nasrul
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has advised the authorities concerned to make a customer-friendly electric vehicle (EV) recharging policy as EVs will dominate the future transport sector.
“We’ve to put in place a pragmatic policy on this most burning issue considering its various aspects,” he said while speaking at a virtual meeting on “Guidelines for Electric Vehicle Re-charging” on Sunday.
Read Quick energy supply: Cabinet approves 5-yr extension of special provision
The location of recharging stations, the types of the vehicles and other issues should be brought under consideration while framing a policy guideline for recharging electric vehicles, Nasrul said.
Power Secretary Md Habibur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council Satyajit Karmakar, chairman of Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (Sreda) Mohammad Alauddin, chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) Belayet Hossain, chairman of Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BERB) Moin Uddin, director general of Power Cell Mohammad Hossain and heads of departments of various organizations also attended the virtual meeting.
Read: Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
Year-wise roadmap made to implement renewable energy policy: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasral Hamid on Thursday said that a year-wise roadmap has been drawn up to implement the government’s renewable energy policy.
He made the remarks while speaking at a webinar titled: “The International Forum for Energy Transition 2021” aimed at paving the way for carbon neutrality and green development
He noted that Bangladesh has been the champion country in the world by installing six million solar home systems to bring 20 million people within the electricity access in the off-grid areas.
State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC) and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) jointly organised the online seminar which was moderated by SGCC executive vice president Pang Xiaogang.
He said the government has taken initiative to install rooftop solar panels in all educational institutions to increase solar power.
Also read: Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
Nasrul Hamid said charging and operating guidelines was prepared to promote the electric vehicle (EV) across the country.
“With the help of JICA, now we have been working on preparing an integrated master plan for energy and power sectors to encourage the zero carbon emissions”, he said adding that the new master plan will discourage the use of fossil fuel and promote the use of renewable energy.
The state minister informed that the government has already cancelled 10 coal-fired power plants with a combined capacity of 8451 MW as part of its move for promoting green energy.
“Bangladesh is committed to increasing the use of green and clean energy”, he added.
Bangladesh will carry out its development plans by ensuring rationality between socio-economic development and environmental protection.
Egyptian minister for power and renewable energy Dr. Mohamed Shakar El Markaby, UN Secretary General's Special Representative for Sustainable Energy Damilola Ogunbiyi, Secretary General of the World Energy Council Dr. Angela Wilkinson and Executive Chairman of the State Grid Corporation for China Xin Baoan also spoke on the occasion.
BREB rural consumers reach 3.18 crore: Nasrul Hamid
The number of power consumers under the Bangladesh Rural Electrification Board (BREB) in the country’s rural areas has reached 3.18 crore.
Disclosing the information, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid on Tuesday urged the power officials to improve their services up to the satisfaction of the consumers.
“Achieving customers’ satisfaction now should be our main target. You have to reach out the improved services to the doorstep of the consumers”, he said while addressing a webinar organised by the BERB to observe the 15 August National Mourning Day 2021.
Also read: If no hike in bulk power tariff, then no hike in retail, agree BERB, TEC
The virtual seminar, with BREB Chairman Maj Gen (retd) Moin Uddin in the chair, was addressed by Power Secretary Habibur Rahman and Power Cell Director General Mohammad Hossain.
Nasrul said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had taken various steps to provide electrification services to the rural areas considering the economic development of the rural people.
“Erasing the difference between the urban and rural areas was the main goal of Bangabandhu”, he said, adding that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been working to achieve the goal through expanding modern amenities to the villages.
Also read:Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
He said the power sector has been playing a vital role in implementing the “My Village-My City” programme to fulfil the pledges of the prime minister.
Nasrul also directed the BREB officials to use the improved technologies in rural electrification as well as encourage people to use energy efficient appliances for ensuring economic consumption of power.
Russia keen to enhance cooperation in energy sector
Russia is keen to enhance its cooperation in Bangladesh's energy sector, the country’s envoy said.
Russian ambassador Alexander Vikentyevich Mantytskiy expressed the interest of his country while calling on State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid at his office in the ministry.
Emphasizing on the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) he said both the countries will be benefited if any contract is signed in expedited manner between the two nations on the basis of mutual consent.
READ: Grant financing deal of EUR 12mn signed to support power, energy sector
He said that Russia can contribute to Bangladesh's energy security and deep-sea exploration activities.
Mentioning Russia as Bangladesh’s tested friend, Nasrul Hamid said Russia can extend its cooperation in providing training to Bangladeshi engineers.
“We can also utilise the Russian experience in our oil and gas exploration”, he added.
The state minister said the Bangladesh energy sector has been growing steadily and a safe investment environment has been created.
READ: Budget Power and energy sector allocation to increase by Tk 726 crore
Investments from Russian public and private companies will be welcomed in Bangladesh, said Nasrul Hamid.
Uninterrupted affordable energy main challenge in future: Nasrul Hamid
State Minister for Power, energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that providing uninterrupted electricity and gas at affordable and sustainable price is future challenge for the country.
“We’ve already achieved the goal in power generation. Now our goal is uninterrupted power and energy supply at affordable and sustainable price”, he told a webinar on “Bangabandhu's Energy Strategies & Our Energy Security”, organised by Energy and Power magazine on Sunday.
The virtual seminar was also addressed by eminent economist Dr Ahsan H Mansur, member of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) Syed Mokbul Elahi, Prof Nurul Islam, expatriate Bangladeshi Dr. Firoz Alam, and Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain while Mollah Amzad Hossain conducted the function. Khondaker Abdus Saleque made keynote presentation on the issue.
Lauding the role of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in ensuring energy security by purchasing four gas fields from a foreign company in 1975, Nasrul Hamid said the Awami League government is following the same path by putting special emphasis on achieving sufficiency in power and energy supply.
Read: 10 coal-fired power projects scrapped as part of master plan revision: Nasrul Hamid
“Power and energy sector played the key role in achieving economic growth of over 7 per cent”, said the state minister adding that global energy scenario and technology has been changing so fast.
“That’s why we need to adopt short and medium-term strategy to cope with the global trend in energy sector”, he said.
Nasrul Hamid said the government is now working on setting a right strategy for ensuring an affordable energy price keeping in mind the future demand.
We will need to import more gas in future to meet the demand as the domestic gas exploration and production is a time consuming matter, he said adding the economy will suffer a lot if gas is not imported as more manufacturing industries are coming in production.
Read: Dhaka consumes 46% of the electricity Bangladesh generates: Nasrul Hamid
Dr Ahsan H Mansur said people don’t expect cheaper power and energy. “But they expect uninterrupted power and energy at an affordable price”.
Urging the government for giving more emphasis on energy efficiency and choosing right technology for energy sector, he said efficiency will play the key role in fixing energy price in future.
Dr Firoz Alam said the government should pay attention on creating skilled manpower for efficient energy sector.
In this regard, he suggested collaboration between the Bangladeshi institutions with foreign universities and institutions.
Expatriate Bangladeshis can play role in this regard as well, he added.
Model fuel outlets to change Bangladesh's highway landscape?
Be it the development of high-speed carriageways or wayside amenities, investment in highway infrastructure is always considered crucial to the economic development of any nation.
While highways strengthen the road network across a country by facilitating the smooth and fast movement of goods and people from one part to another, wayside amenities like rest areas for drivers and commuters help promote road safety by curbing accidents due to incessant driving.
On the lines of developed countries like the US and Australia, Bangladesh is also all set to market its highways as a global brand -- by setting up what it claims model refuelling stations with spiffier rest areas to welcome motorists looking for a break from the road.
Also read: Summit signs MoU with Commonwealth LNG to help supply fuel to Bangladesh
According to State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, the initiative comes at a time when the government is developing a number of high-speed corridors across Bangladesh, including the Dhaka-Khulna highway.