In this issue

The government is considering a plan to increase domestic gas production by desperately intensifying exploration efforts. The plan is to launch a much-awaited offshore bidding round shortly while engaging international oil companies besides BAPEX to expedite exploration onshore. To this effect, the government has already suspended a three-year plan of drilling 48 wells onshore by 2025 halfway and contemplating undertaking 100 such wells by then, apparently showing its desperate bid to reduce reliance on the country’s growing dependence on import of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Petrobangla is expecting to finalize a fresh work program based on the plan by June this year. Meanwhile, the program for letting out a PSC bidding round for offshore exploration by the first week of March 2024 is now ready. Moreover, it has started working on updating the onshore MPSC to attract foreign investment. Experts have long been criticizing Petrobangla for its lackluster performance in the exploration of domestic resources and the government’s growing reliance on imported energy. They are now appreciating the fresh initiative that the government has taken of late amid increased pressure on the foreign exchange reserves created partly due to rising energy imports.

However, it is unlikely to be possible to implement the new plan with a business-as-usual approach. For that to happen, an integrated approach with special budgetary allocations should be in place.

Energy & Power Magazine Description:

Energy & Power (EP) is the first and only full-fledged fortnightly magazine that deals with the much cried over energy and power sector in Bangladesh. Since its inception in June 16, 2003, EP is working very hard to 
a) Develop public consciousness on sustainable and even development of energy sector; 
b) Assist the policy makers in assuming pragmatic policies for a balanced development of the energy sector; 
c) Continuous supply of information among public; and 
d) Develop a group of reporters in this field 

Bangladesh is an energy deficit country like other countries in the region and most of the people do not have adequate access to the energy and power. The country is completely dependent on fossil energy source; at the same time, it is one of the most inefficient energy using countries in the world. 
It lacks efficiency in planning, management, generation, distribution, load management and even at the end user level consumption. 
In spite of the above drawbacks, issues relating to utilization of renewable energy, exploring alternative use of energy, planned use of environment friendly energy are significantly undermined in Bangladesh. 
The biggest challenge of Bangladesh is to find a path for balanced growth of its energy sector. Despite its resource constraints, EP dynamically strives to provide theenergy sector with a flow of information and create public awareness; so that policymakers get guidelines and platforms for its sustainable development.

Code of Ethics 
EP believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of a journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues and professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. We strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.

The EP editorial policy is to share a dedication to ethical behavior and uphold the zero conflict of interest principles and highest standards of practice. 

EP believes in 
o Seeking truth and reporting the same 
o Minimize harm