Reviewing Fuel Supply Strategy

Against the backdrop of the chronic energy crisis, the interim government should review the present energy and fuel supply strategy apart from adopting a comprehensive and implementable National Energy Policy.

- Saleque Sufi

Bangladesh must have learned by now paying through the nose that leaving substantial discovered coal resources underground and neglecting exploration of petroleum resources buried underground, the economy cannot survive and sustain growing big on imported fuel. The country desperately requires exploiting discovered coal resources by protecting environmental and social impacts, an aggressive but well-coordinated exploration campaign for petroleum exploration, and expediting harnessing solar and renewable energy. It is shameful that the power supply chain having over 30,000 MW grid and off-grid power generation capacity struggles to meet peak power demand of 16,500-17,000 MW. Apart from all out initiatives for rapidly increasing primary fuel supply, the government needs to review fuel supply strategy, eliminate unauthorized use through carrying out combing operations against delinquent users. Until the situation comes under reasonable control, well-planned austerity measures must be implemented.