Letrah’s contribution in the energy sector of Banglasdesh

by Manzurul Shareef

Bangladesh is  a country which is in urgent need for all forms of energy technology to cope up with it’s growing population and the government’s development programs. Letrah International Corporation in this connection has since it’s presence in the country contributed in the energy sector of Bangladesh from different angles and perspective. It has initiated the concept of the production of ethanol from corn, sugar cane baggas, municipal waste and switch grass that would help to reduce the country’s burden on fossil fuel and reducing carbon emission into the environment substantially.  A study in this regard was presented to Petro-Bangla for review with a response that gave an opening to the prospect of the production of ethanol in the country in the near future.

In view of the emerging power sector of the economy, emphasis on the generation of  power is still very primitive with high dependence on natural gas, furnace oil and coal. With the imminent  cease of natural gas production within the next few years, it is necessary that new fields are explored that are technically feasible and economically viable in order to keep gas supply running for domestic and industrial use.

Meanwhile, the government of Bangladesh is giving serious thoughts on alternative sources of energy such as solar, wind and nuclear. LIC in this regard is completely equipped to materialize these alternatives in the most cost effective way.

However, solar and wind energy at this point could be less cost effective to install and connect the generated electricity with the national grid for countrywide  distribution. A nuclear power plant on the other hand which the GOB already has in it’s agenda could be the right choice for Bangladesh taking into account it’s environment friendliness and  steady and long lasting capability for power generation. LIC in this regard has worked closely with the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission to look into the different facets of a possible US built nuclear power plant to be setup in Ruppur of Pabna district. The govt. however now is faced with the decision as to where and from which country it will procure the plant as govt. regulation does not allow them to avoid invitation of international bidding and settle for it’s country of choice arbitrarily.

As LIC  has the  expertise  to integrate suppliers of product and services of any nature and of any magnitude with private or public sector clients, policy makers of Bangladesh can most certainly take advantage of the opportunities  Letrah  offers and can put them to perspective for it’s overall economic development that is  so crucial for a country like Bangladesh right now.