The government is going to bring changes to its power generation policy by reducing dependency on coal and encouraging LNG (liquefied petroleum gas) for electricity production. According to a report of this newspaper on Saturday, it is also planning to set a ceiling for power import from any single country at 10 per cent of the total demand, and fix the maximum limit for power generation by the private sector. In a highly ambitious move to generate 82,000 MW of electricity by 2041, the government is revising the Power System Master Plan (PSMP), which was prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in 2016. However, the realisation of these plans would require investments to the tune of USD 150 billion.

An energy expert said that in the present scenario, including both social and economic situations, generation of more power is impossible. The government has not achieved the projected target for the last eight years; it's still dependent on fuel-based power stations, which are very expensive. There is no denying the fact that power sector in Bangladesh has been changing for the better in a very vibrant way in recent times. A few years ago erratic and insufficient power supply had made the lives of the people difficult. All sectors of the country bore the brunt of shortage of electricity. Entrepreneurs would not feel encouraged to set up industries due to acute dearth of electricity. Even many prospective running projects had to be shut down for want of electricity. This had a serious negative impact on the country’s economic growth.

It is encouraging to note that works on several big power projects under government and private initiatives are going on. The coal-based power plant being constructed at Rampal of Bagerhat district and the nuclear power plant at Rooppur will contribute significantly to power generation in the near future. The government has the target to extend hundred per cent electricity facility to the burgeoning population. Rental power plants are also producing electricity to meet the demand. Those met the emergency situation. Though the prices of electricity produced by rental power plants are comparatively higher, the entrepreneurs accepted the reality as those contributed to maintaining industrial production and spur on GDP growth. Renewable energy holds greater prospects. Emphasis should be given on producing solar power. The government will have to discuss with the energy experts who expressed skepticism about the ambitious plan for producing electricity.