Bangladesh can follow Korea’s power expertise

http://www.theindependentbd.com/business/others/30506-bangladesh-can-follow-koreas-power-expertise.html
Bangladesh can follow Korea’s power expertise
Staff Reporter
DHAKA, JAN 22:  Experts in power generation and distribution industry said, Bangladesh can take advantage of Korea’s experience to improve electricity generation and distribution system by reducing system loss. Both Bangladesh and Korea started power-sector development almost at the same time but the latter have gone far ahead while Bangladesh remained dwindled, they said in a seminar on Korea-Bangladesh Technical Seminar in the capital on Sunday.
Speaking as chief gust, Chairman of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) ASM Alamgir Kabir said the government has planned for 14,000 MW electricity generation target by next five years.
“To achieve this target, Bangladesh will need technical assistance and Korean expertise will be very helpful,” he said.
Mr Kabir said the government has already signed 33 contracts for 3,000 MW electricity generation and planning to sign another 18-contracts for additional generation of 4,000 MW electricity within next 6-months.
He gave importance to Korean experts, whose expertise would help Bangladesh to attain greater productivity and efficiency in distribution system. Md Jamal Ullah, Managing Director of Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) said the government has planned to generate 7,000 MW electricity very soon.
In order to proper utilization of this generated power, Bangladesh need to build an efficient distribution where Korean experts can be very important, he said.
Bhuyan Shafiqul Islam, Chairman of Rural Electrification Board (REB) in his address said, Korea has reduced its system loss up to 4.0 per cent.
As we are looking for self-sufficiency by the year 2015, Bangladeshi experts can learn from their Korean counterparts.
The seminar was also addressed by Korean Ambassador in Bangladesh Taiyoung Cho, Kazi Kamal Uddin Ekram, Managing Director of KNASH Engineers Ltd, Vice President of KEPCO and the leader of Korean delegation Jung Keun Park.

ovt open to acquiring foreign coal, gas fields

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=170105
Govt plans to acquire foreign coal, gas fields
Energy adviser says; country needs to generate 30,000-50,000 MW power in next two decades
Sharier Khan
Alongside tapping the coal and gas resources in the country, the government is planning to acquire some coal and gas fields abroad to ensure long-term energy security, said Energy Adviser Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury.
At a discussion of the power division and Power Development Board (PDB) on Saturday he said, “We are looking at generating 30,000 to 50,000 megawatts of power in the next two decades and hence are open to acquiring assets in other countries.”
In future, half the country’s energy would be generated from coal, he told the discussion organised to interact with the four non-resident Bangladeshi experts who were invited by The Daily Star to share their knowledge on alternative energy and new technology at the newspaper’s first Colloquium Friday.
Replying to a question on why the government has not yet taken any visible move on larger scale coal development, the energy adviser said the works on building a coal city in Barapukuria was in progress which would serve as a hub for coal development in that region.
“We have to ask the National Water Modelling Institute to study the aquifers in the northern region so that we understand the effect and result of coal mining there,” he said, adding, “Presently, we lack adequate data.”
Understanding ground water tables is vital for coal mining. Mining without understanding the water structure can seriously affect the ground water situation.
The energy adviser noted that for such enormous development in the energy sector, especially surrounding coal, an investment of billions of dollars is required to develop the road, water and rail infrastructure to transport raw materials and equipment.
He observed that in the last two years, the government moved for procurement of 4,000MW of power — something that no other government had done before.
This year, the government would move for procurement of the similar scale and complete tendering for setting up of a terminal to import Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as an alternative backup for the country’s declining gas supplies.
“Besides, we are also considering a plan to import Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) from Shahbazpur Gas Field in Bhola to serve the gas starving regions (this gas field is largely unutilised). Similarly, we can transport some excess gas from the Sylhet region through rail to Chittagong,” said Towfiq-e-Elahi.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) was offering loans for 3,000MW solar power to its member countries, the energy adviser noted, adding that he had sought loans for 500MW from the bank. The ADB has not responded to the proposal, but it gave an initial positive feedback.
“How do we utilise this opportunity? I have discussed the matter with Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury and she proposed that we install 1MW solar unit in each upazila. This may be a good idea. A 1MW solar unit will take three acres of land and can pave the way to spread solar plants across the country by 2012,” said the adviser.
He said the government is also considering solution to providing energy to rural people — 80 percent of the country’s population, who have no access to commercial fuel.
“Bangladesh Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR) is preparing a strategy paper on how to address this issue so that these people no longer have to depend on firewood and leaves for primary fuel,” he said.
The government is also taking initiatives for energy services for the poor, he said pointing out that most of the poor people cannot afford power, which they should to change their lives.
One such initiative can provide power to 15,000 community clinics across the country from where the poor people would get the services dependent of power.
The government is also forming National Energy Research Council in line with the existing National Agriculture Research Council. This new council will open scope for local researchers, engineering graduates or students to conduct research on various aspects of energy for home grown solutions, said Towfiq-e-Elahi, adding that non-resident Bangladeshi experts will be involved in this council.

BPC to install two more oil storage tanks

http://www.theindependentbd.com/business/others/28260-bpc-to-install-two-more-oil-storage-tanks.html
BPC to install two more oil storage tanks
BSS
DHAKA, Jan 09: The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) will install two new oil storage tanks at Parbatipur under Dinajpur and Maheshwarpasha of Khulna districts to store petroleum products. The BPC has decided to increase its storage capacity as demand and consumption of petroleum products increased this year to run the rental power plants. The capacity of Baghabari oil storage tank will also be increased to store imported fuel in future as the PDB will need more diesel and furnace oil to produce electricity.  According to the BPC, it will have to increase its import by more than 40 percent as the government plans to generate 1350 MW of electricity from rental power plants which would use diesel and furnace oil. BPC chairman Anwarul Karim said around four lakh metric tons of diesel and furnace oil would be required this year to run the rental power plants.
The energy ministry sought Expression of Interest Letters from the private sector to install new oil storage tank to store increased amount of petroleum product, official sources said. Bangladesh imports around 3.5 million tons of oil every year at a cost between $2.5 and $3.5 billion.

Energy boost forlocal industries

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=169335
Energy boost forlocal industries
Import duty on furnace oil to go; power producers, industries allowed to import it
Sharier Khan
In a major policy decision, the government is withdrawing import duty on furnace oil to help local industries overcome the on-going energy crisis and resolve their problems on their own.
Private power plant developers and industry operators who will directly benefit from this will also be allowed to import furnace oil to meet their own requirements with permission from Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).
All industries, except ship-breaking industry, will be allowed to import duty-free furnace oil for their needs. This is a major incentive, as the duty is now 37.5 percent.
Since furnace oil or Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) is the cheapest commercially used oil, industries are now expected to solve their own energy problem by using it.
On the other hand, it is one of the most polluting petroleum products.
The prime minister’s energy adviser Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury disclosed the government decision regarding furnace oil while exchanging views with four non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) energy experts and officials of the Power Division and Power Development Board.
The Daily Star had invited the four NRBs to Dhaka to talk about alternative energy and new technology. The PDB invited them for further sharing of knowledge.
Towfiq said the government decision comes in the wake of various measures taken by it to ease the country’s power crisis. And a Statutory Regulatory Order (SRO) has been framed in this regard.
He also said as in the previous year, the government will again distribute 12 million energy saving lamps for free across the country to discourage use of traditional light bulbs. A traditional 100 watt bulb utilises only five percent of the power it consumes, and its replacement will reduce power demands.
Later, talking to The Daily Star, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR) Nasiruddin Ahmed said the SRO on the withdrawal of duty is now being printed for gazette notification.
“There is a severe energy crisis in the country, and this will help ease this crisis. It’s true that we will lose some revenue from import. But, as the import (of furnace oil) will increase power generation and industrial production, we expect our overall revenue to increase,” the chairman said.
Meanwhile, large industries like Youngone are seeking this kind of incentive from the government so that they can build their own power plants based on imported furnace oil. They want it even though the cost of furnace oil-based power will be higher than that of gas-based power. “I can tell you that within six months, industries will change the power crisis ” said Captain Sikder Ahmed of Youngone.
Gas supplies have become erratic and no one knows for sure when the government will be able to supply it with appropriate pressure to industries to run their boilers or generators. Salman Karim of Orion Group says, “All our new equipment are ready to consume both gas and furnace oil.”
The decision concerning furnace oil will also help ease storage of imported oil issue. Till now, the BPC imports and stores all kinds of petroleum at its depots. This year the government’s oil import will go up by 1.9 million tonnes just to cater to the needs of diesel and furnace oil- based rental, private and government power projects. Of this additional import, most will be furnace oil. The BPC does not have adequate storage facility for this additional oil.
The government opted for diesel and HFO-based expensive power projects to add around 2,400 megawatt of power by the end of this year. Use of oil will ensure that the ongoing gas crunch will not affect this new power generation.
Other than these power projects, majority of the country’s large industries generate power for their own requirements using natural gas. In the last few years, their power generation was greatly disturbed.
The PDB estimates these industries generate more than 1,000 MW of power, in addition to that on the national grid. But Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Ltd, which deals with gas supplies for major industries, says these industries generate more than 2,500 MW of power using gas.
Besides, the industries also use natural gas to run their boilers and other generators. Now they will have the option to run those using furnace oil.
However, furnace oil-based production causes heavy pollution which requires the industries or power plants to have their own treatment plants. Otherwise, this will create a new problem for the country, officials noted.

1131 MW added to national grid in two years

http://www.bssnews.net/newsDetails.php?cat=0&id=153415&date=2011-01-04
1131 MW added to national grid in two years
DHAKA, Jan 04 (BSS) – The present government has added 1131 MW power to the national grid after taking charge on January 6, 2009.
According to the official source, another 1350 MW from the quick rental power plants will be added to the national grid by April 2011.
Since the generation of electricity is not enough to meet the demand, the authority is handling the situation through different measures including load management, energy saving and gas rationing programmes. However, the gap between supply and demand of power exist and it varies from 1300 MW to 2000 MW.
A senior official of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said 500 to 700 MW power could not be produced due to gas shortage while some power plants always remain inoperative because of rehabilitation and maintenance work which reduces power generation and supply further.
“Therefore, we actually shed or manage the peak hours demand by shedding 300 MW during winter and 800 MW during summer season,” the official said.
Though the gap between demand and supply of power remains high, yet it is a significant success to add 1131 MW to national grid in two years, he added.
BPDB chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir told BSS that the government has the plan to produce 2087 MW power more by 2012 and another 2000 MW by 2013.
By 2014, another 1670 MW and by 2015 about 3050 MW will be added to the national grid, he said. As per its election pledge, the present government has the plan to add 9,426 MW power to the national grid by 2015.
“We produce 300 MW from the quick rental, however, we already signed agreements with different bidders to install quick rental, rental, small IPPs and peaking power plants that would come into operation within next few years,” he said.
The BPDB chairman said if Petrobnagla could supply adequate quantity of energy to run the power plants, then it would be possible to make country free from loadshedding by the end of 2013.

Hasina talks nuke plants with Putin

Unb, St Petersburg

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday sought cooperation from Russia to set up new power plants and repair the old ones.

She was holding bilateral talks with her Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin at his St Petersburg residence.

Later, PM's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told journalists both the leaders talked about the proposed Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant.

Hasina said more than 40 percent power plants in Bangladesh had been constructed by the assistance of the Russian government.

She also expressed her willingness to sign a long-term agreement on food grains and fertiliser.

Putin said the issues of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and long-term agreement on food grains and fertiliser would be discussed at the earliest.

Hasina invited the Russian premier to visit Bangladesh. Putin accepted the invitation.

The prime minister paid glowing tributes to the 40 Russian soldiers who died while de-mining the Chittagong Port after Liberation war, 1971.

Hasina expressed her gratitude to the Russian government for their support during the war.

She also sought cooperation from the Russian government for training of the defence personnel and in gas exploration. Hasina said Russia and Bangladesh are working together against terrorism.

CCC to set up 500 MW power plant, 12km elevated expressway

http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=94142

CCC to set up 500 MW power plant, 12km elevated expressway

CHITTAGONG, Mar 5 (BSS): Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) is going to set up 500 MW power plant at Raipur area under Anowara Upazila and construct a 12.5 km elevated expressway in the port city at a cost of Tk 51.50 billion.

Engineering department of the CCC sources said the 500 MW coal based power plant would be set up at Raipur area, south side of the river Karnaphuli in the city on Build Operate and Transfer (BOT) system at a cost of Tk 36.50 billion while 12.5 kilometre long elevated expressway would be constructed from city’s Dewanhat to Chittagong Shah Amanat International Airport (CSAIA) at a cost of Tk 15 billion.

The CCC has already acquired 20 acres of land and completed other survey of the power plant project. CCC source said after approval by the LGRD ministry, the proposed project has already been sent to the Planning Commission for vetting.

The Planning Commission (PC) asked CCC to amend a few articles of the project profile within March 15 next. With necessary amendment the project profile is likely to be sent to the PC for approval within May next.

If the proposed power plant is completed, the people of Chittagong would get rid of load shedding side by side the city dwellers would be relieved of the exhausted traffic congestion at Agrabad commercial area after construction of 12.5 km long Dewanhat to Airport Expressway, the source added.

Sources said the development works of the said two projects were expected to begin by July-August this year and be completed in next three and a half years.

Foreign investors showed their eagerness to invest for operating the projects for 25 years, CCC would also earn a portion of profit from the project, CCC Planning department sources said.

The investors would hand over the projects to the CCC after 25 years of their operation, the source added.

It said the government would provide security bond to the investors for their investment in the projects.

A senior engineer of the CCC said the investors from Malaysia, China and Singapore had already expressed their interests to invest and implement the projects.

Golden Son to make solar lights, CPU casings

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=134437

Golden Son to make solar lights, CPU casings
Twin projects to cost Tk 25cr, shares jump 3.98pc

Sohel Parvez

Golden Son Ltd is set to venture into making solar powered lights and central processing unit (CPU) casings for computers with a focus on domestic and international markets.

Golden Son makes an array of products — aerosols, household items, perfumes, body sprays, air-fresheners, garment accessories, sporting toys, fans and fan accessories.

The initial cost of the two projects has been estimated at Tk 25 crore.

Production of the solar powered light-emitting-diode (LED) modules will start in August and the project that will make CPU casings will start in September, the company said in a filing to Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) yesterday.

Golden Son shares rose 3.98 percent to Tk 81.60 on DSE.

The Bangladesh-Taiwan joint venture said it has taken up the project to make solar energy system, LED lighting modules, for the masses, considering demand for green energy at home and abroad.

As per plans, the company wants to make 3-watt equivalent lights and 4.5-watt solar panels.

“It will be handy and easy to use,” said Belal Ahmed, managing director of Golden Son.

The company says the life span of these bulbs is 50,000 hours and the life of the module is 25 years.

“We want to cater to local and world markets,” said Belal, adding that Golden Son aims to make up to 10 lakh pieces of such LED lights in the first year after starting production.

Referring to the plan for computer CPU casings, Belal said Golden Son has taken the venture to target the local market that depends on imports.

“Every year a huge quantity of casings of CPUs is imported forcing consumers to buy covers at high costs. We want to supply CPU covers at a price lower than imported ones,” said Belal.

Golden Son said it would implement these two projects by borrowing from banks and investing its own.

The company said it would log an additional annual profit of Tk 10 crore after the implementation of these two projects.

Country’s 1st solar panel assembling plant opens

http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=136732

Country’s 1st solar panel assembling plant opens
Staff Correspondent

The first-ever solar panel assembling plant in the country was launched in Savar yesterday to make solar panels available on the local market at a competitive price.

Solar panels, assembled at the plant, are expected to hit the market in a month.

The plant set up by local company Electro Solar Power Ltd (ESPL) is capable of assembling solar panels with a production capacity of 10-megawatt electricity a year, said company officials.

Prime Minister’s Adviser on energy affairs Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury inaugurated the plant at Ashulia in Savar. Syed Manzur Elahi, former adviser to a caretaker government, was also present there.

“It’s a positive initiative. Such ventures will facilitate the country’s economic development,” said Tawfiq.

He said the ESPL’s initiative would support the government’s goal of meeting a part of the electricity demand through green energy.

The government aims to meet 5 percent of the country’s energy demand through green energy by 2015 and 10 percent by 2020.

The government decided to install solar systems in government buildings, he said.

“We hope that there will be no problem in marketing locally-assembled solar panels,” Tawfiq said.

ESPL, a sister concern of Electro Group, was established in 2009. The company will import solar cells and other accessories, and assemble them, said its officials.

The plant has the capacity to assemble solar charger, battery and other accessories for solar home systems.

Ansar Uddin, managing director of ESPL, said they hope that their initiative would help ease the ongoing power crisis a bit.

Rooppur nuke power plant, Padma Bridge top PM’s tour agenda

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will embark on a three-nation tour on Sunday to Russia, Belgium and Japan with Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant and Padma Bridge on top of her agenda.

According to official sources, the Prime Minister will leave here for Russia on Sunday night to attend a Tiger’s Conference in St. Petersburg to be held on November 22-23.

Though this is not a bilateral visit to Russia, the Prime Minister will have meeting with Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the Tiger’s Conference where the two leaders are expected to discuss entire range of bilateral issues, including setting up of nuclear power plant at Roopur.

In Brussels from November 24-27, Sheikh Hasina will hold meetings with European Union leaders and Prime Minister of Belgium aiming to promote bilateral relations, economic cooperation, trade and investment and European support for climate change fund.

Bangladesh and Japan will sign several deals on economic cooperation during her visit to Tokyo on November 28-December 1. Bangladesh is expecting a specific assurance of fund from the Japanese government for the construction of the Padma Bridge.

During her stay in Russia’s St. Petersburg, Sheikh Hasina is expected to have bilateral meetings with a several heads of governments of participating countries. She will join a high-level plenary relating to Natural Habitat of Tigers and address a session on the issue.

The PM will join a working lunch to be hosted by the Russian PM in honor of the participating delegates from different countries and visit the office of honorary consul general’s of Bangladesh in St. Petersburg.

From St. Petersburg, Sheikh Hasina will move to Brussels where she will hold meeting with the Belgian Prime Minister on November 25.

In Brussels, Foreign Ministry sources said the Bangladesh prime minister will have separate meetings with President of the Council of European Union Council Herman Van Rompuy, President of European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and Prime Minister of Belgium Yves Leteme.

Hasina’s talks with the European leaders will mainly focus on trade and investment, EU support to Bangladesh for climate change mitigation, and bilateral and international issues of common concern.

She is due attend a reception to be accorded to her by the Bangladeshi community living in Belgium on November 26. Ending her tour to Belgium, the PM will leave Brussels for Frankfurt on November 27 en route to Tokyo and reach in Narita International Airport on November 28.

During her four-day official working visit to Japan from November 28-December 1, the Prime Minister will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan and also have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan Emperor Akihito.

Sources said she will address a number of investment conferences and hold meetings with representatives of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organisation, and Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) to discuss investment, economic cooperation and development issues.

The PM will also address a meeting at Peace Park in Hiroshima and lay the foundation of Bangladesh Embassy building in Tokyo.

An official announcement of Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 16, said the Government of Japan sincerely welcomes the visit of the Prime Minister, which will further strengthen the friendly relations between Japan and the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

According to the provisional itinerary, Hasina will hold official talks on November 29 when she will lead Bangladesh delegation. She is due to hold an exclusive talk with the Prime Minister of Japan. On December 1 morning, she will have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor of Japan.

Except security, media teams and PMO officials, members of her entourage are separate. She will lead a big delegation to Japan, including 41-member business team and eight eminent personalities (mostly party men) will accompany the PM.

Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Foreign Minister Dipu Moni, Prime Minister’s Advisers Alauddin Ahmed and Masihur Rahman, Ambassador-at-large M Ziauddin, Principal Secretary to PM M Abdul Karim, Foreign Secretary Mijarul Quayes, among others, will accompany the Prime Minister in Japan.

State Minister for Environment and Forest Hasan Mahmud, four party men in name of eminent personalities and a business delegation will accompany PM in Russia.

She will be traveling to Belgium with a skeleton number of officials.

PM is expected to return home on December 2 after the 12-day tour.

Bangladesh Picks Indian Company to Build Power Plant

Bangladesh Power Development Board has approved a proposal by an Indian energy firm to install a 150 megawatt power plant, a senior official said on Wednesday.

"The proposal will now be sent to government purchase committee to take final decision," said M. Fouzul Kabir Khan, secretary of the power division of the ministry of power, energy and mineral resources.

It will be installed in northeastern Sylhet area with a cost of more than $70 million by the Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, Kabir said.

"The gas-based power plant will be set up on a turn-key contract basis," he said. Last year the Indian company was awarded another contract to build two plants at Siddhirganj, near Dhaka, with a generation capacity of 120 MW each, another senior official said.

Islamabad may help Dhaka set up Nuclear Power Plant

Pakistan Monday said it could discuss the peaceful use of nuclear energy with Bangladesh, which is facing severe energy deficit, reports UNB.

"We''ve our program of nuclear energy. We''re going ahead with that. It'' s up to Bangladesh to decide how they want," Pakistan High Commissioner Alamgir Babar told members of the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at the National Press Club.

The High Commissioner said he has learnt from newspaper reports that there are some discussions taking place between Bangladesh and China.

Asked if Islamabad will extend cooperation to Dhaka in the nuclear energy sector, he said: "We can discuss it within the confines of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)."

Bangladesh is a signatory to the NPT and recently International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) allowed the country to use nuclear energy in peaceful purposes like energy, agriculture and medicine sectors.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury discussed the matter with Russia, South Korea and China during his visit to those countries.

The High Commissioner said Pakistan is not a signatory to the NPT but "I''ve the right to peaceful uses of nuclear energy."

In reply to a question, he said Bangladesh and Pakistan have "robust" defence cooperation in training military personnel of the two countries. He said Pakistan also exports military hardware to Bangladesh, but he could not say the volume of it.

During the hour-long DCAB Talk, the envoy responded to volleys of questions on bilateral and regional issues.

Responding to a question, Babar said Bangladesh and Pakistan could learn from each other in different areas, not to speak only about establishment of an elected government in Islamabad.

He said Pakistan wishes good for Bangladesh and its people who would decide their future.

Asked about the Bangladesh Chief of Army Staff''s visit to Pakistan after his visit to India, Babar said Islamabad has given him the invitation and the date for the visit would be fixed at a mutually convenient time.

Asked about the reason behind the insignificant volume of the two-way trade, he said there are two difficulties - one is awareness among the businessmen about what the two countries can offer, and secondly, absence of direct Shipping Services.

Current bilateral trade is around $340 million annually.

To another question, he said Bangladesh-Pakistan bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) could be a supplement to SAFTA. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are enjoying benefit of such FTA, he informed.

On the long-running issues of repatriation of the stranded Pakistanis and apportionment of the pre-independence assets, the High Commissioner said Pakistan met its legal obligation under the 1974 agreement regarding the repatriation. Those who had fulfilled the set criteria were already relocated.

Still, he said, Pakistan is looking at the humanitarian aspect of the issue. He also mentioned the Sunday''s High Court judgment that gave voting rights to the stranded Pakistanis in Bangladesh.

Babar also mentioned a survey conducted by an international agency showing that most of the stranded Pakistanis are not willing to go back to Pakistan.

About apportionment of the assets, he said the matter is very complicated as to where to start and where to finish off. The matter comes for discussion at bilateral meetings.

To a question, he said about 2-3 million people of Bangladesh origin are now living in Pakistan.

Asked what factors impede the closer relations, the envoy said it is not distance of the minds of the two people as he said there is strong feeling in Pakistan about Bangladesh.

He noted that the missing link is distance, as airfare is so high that people of the two countries cannot afford to travel frequently.

About effective implementation of SAFTA, Babar agreed on the slow implementation of the umbrella trade accord saying that it needs political will to move ahead with it.

Asked about terrorism in the region, he said SAARC member states have signed SAARC Convention on Terrorism and also an Additional Protocol to combat the menace. Besides, there are bilateral discussions with neighbours and others, because terrorism is not a local issue, it is a global security threat. International community as a whole should work together on it.

In Pakistan, he said the government is addressing the issue on security dimension and political dimension.

The government, he said, is trying to engage the more moderates in a dialogue to get them to agree and accept that this is not the way forward. "We are also looking at economic development as well as international environment."

In his opening remarks, the High Commissioner mentioned his country''s contribution to the education and health sectors in Bangladesh where Tk 25 million were spent since 2005.

He said Pakistan has a special quota of 75 fully funded scholarships for Bangladeshi students, which was increased to 100 this year in the fields of engineering, medicine, IT, veterinary, science, pharmacy, agriculture science and other disciplines.

Babar also mentioned Pakistan''s efforts towards promotion of the SME Women sector in Bangladesh. He said a delegation of about 40 Bangladeshi women entrepreneurs will leave for Karachi next month.

DCAB president Masud Karim chaired the talks and general secretary Raheed Ijaz made welcome remarks.

China for Improved Tech for Power Generation in Bangladesh

China yesterday offered its improved technology for power generation, better use of energy and production of hydro and solar energy to overcome the mounting electricity crisis facing Bangladesh .

“Bangladesh is facing various challenges and we want to support our friend…We want to see Bangladesh achieving prosperity and improving the living standard of its people,” new Chinese Ambassador Zhang Xianyi told reporters after nearly an hour-long meeting with Foreign Minister Dipu Moni.

The Ambassador said he would encourage Chinese businessmen and entrepreneurs to come to Bangladesh and explore potential fields for investment.

Asked if they discussed the proposed nuclear power plant in Bangladesh , he said the issue was not raised yesterday but China is positive in extending assistance to Bangladesh in this regard.

He said there is a good sign that the last year's volume of bilateral trade has doubled. He hoped Bangladesh would send business teams to Canton and Kunming fairs, and exhibits Bangladeshi products to make those familiar with Chinese companies and consumers.

On cooperation in education and cultural fields, the Ambassador said presently 70 Bangladeshi students are studying in China and the number would increase to 100 next year.

He underscored the need for exchange of cultural groups between the two countries and increasing people-to-people contact. The envoy said direct airlines between the two countries help tourists visit each other countries.

The envoy expressed satisfaction over the existing excellent relations between Dhaka and Beijing , and hoped that the comprehensive cooperation and partnership between the two countries will enhance to a new height during his tenure.

Solar Power Seen as Alternative Energy Source for Irrigation

Experts suggests use of solar power driven water pumps as a major alternate source of irrigation for better crop yields in a power-starved country like Bangladesh.
‘Solar power could be used as an alternative source of electricity for irrigation to ease the country’s acute power crisis by reducing load of 700 to 800 MW in a day,’ former DG of Power Cell BD Rahmatullah on Saturday told the news agency (BSS).
The government could take initiatives to transform the irrigation pumps into solar pumps for saving power and fuel as two pilot projects of solar irrigation plants are already working successfully in the country, he said.
‘Against the backdrop of power crisis, we should look at more to the renewable energy like other countries and I am reiterating that Bangladesh has the potentiality of producing 3,500MW from renewable sources,’ the former power cell chief added.
In the country, presently state-owned power plants generate only 3,500MW of electricity a day, whereas demand is 6,000MW. The demand is growing by 500MW a year due to increasing industrialisation.
Rahmatullah said the cost of solar panels is high, no doubt about it, but solar energy’s unique attributes to needing no fuel, high durability and reliability and being able to operate for longer periods without maintenance, make it economical for all types of applications.
He said the government can come forward with financial package for the farmers to transfer all shallow pumps into solar ones to save the electricity and consumption of fuel.
Adequacy of sunshine in our country makes the solar power eligible for agriculture irrigation especially for the boro crop as it is harvested during dry season, said agriculture expert M Shariful Rahman, Principal of Moniharpur Agriculture Training Institute, who runs a solar irrigation pump on a pilot basis inside his institute in Bogra district.
‘I ran the solar pump during the last boro season and successfully irrigated around 15 acres inside my institute,’ he said. The solar panel, which was installed by the Waste Concern, a voluntary organisation, on a pilot basis has the capacity of producing maximum of 1.4 kilowatt of electricity and 6000 litres of water in a day.
Waste Concern executive director Maqsood Sinha said Bangladesh presently Has 11 lakh shallow tube-wells, out of which 9.03 lakh is diesel driven while the rest 1.97 lakh electricity-run.
‘In order to make the farmers independent of price increase of diesel, as well as to tide over the scarcity of diesel, there is a good opportunity to provide irrigation through solar powered system,’ he said.
Director of Waste Concern Iftekhar Enayetullah said the price of solar pump along with solar panel is about Taka four to six lakh which has a life of 15 years.
‘A farmer holding 25 bighas of land spends Tk 75,000 per year for irrigation, therefore, simple pay back period is roughly 6.3 years whereas the life of the solar pumps is 15 years,’ he said.
Like Waste Concern, Rahimafrooz Bangladesh, which is a pioneer in making batteries of solar panel locally, also installed another solar pump in Chapainawabganj district through a non-government organization.

Bangladesh & Russia Signed MoU for Nuclear Energy

Bangladesh and Russia signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) here wednesday in peaceful use of nuclear energy. ICT Secretary Najmul Huda Khan and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) Chairman Dr Md Mosharaf Hossain signed the agreement and MoU on behalf of Bangladesh part while the Deputy Director General of Russian State Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) NN Spasskiy on behalf of the Russia.

The government will install 600MW to 1,000MW electricity generation capacity nuclear power plant within four to five years at Rooppur in Pabna as a part of peaceful nuclear deal, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Architecture Yafez Osman told the reporters.

He was addressing after signing a bilateral agreement and a Memorandum of Understanding on installation of the nuclear power plant between Bangladesh and Russia yesterday at the Conference Room of ICT.

Yafez said that a high powered team would visit nuclear power plant sites in Russia immediately then the government would decide about the final deal with Russia in this regard.

Responding a question, he said that the government has already signed MoU with two other countries including USA and China in this regard.

“We will deal with any of them who would have offered us comparatively law price and provide best technology for the plant,” the state minister said.

Through the signing of MoU, we have lead the next steps of friendship with Russia, he pointed out.

Prime Minister husband nuclear scientist Dr Wazed dreamed to install the power plant at Rooppur, he said. In his speech, Prime Minister adviser to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, BB said that the journey began to install the nuclear power plant.

“In the initial stage, the installation cost of the power plant is high then the operation of it cost effective then from the other power plants,” he said. He informed the reporters that the government is going to formulate a coal policy this year for extracting and exploration of coal in the country. “We will finalise the coal policy following the consent of local people and ensure the compensation of them,” he further said.

Replying a question, Deputy Director General of ROSATOM NN Spasskiy told the reporters that the government of Bangladesh will finalise the agreement with Russia bypassing others as the technology of Russia comparatively best then other countries.

He said that Russia has already signed agreements to install nuclear power plants in India, China, Bulgaria and some other European countries.

About the financial terms to install the plant, the ROSATOM policy maker said it would be settled after negotiation between the high-level policy makers.

He condoled the death of the Prime Minister Husband and former BAEC Chairman Dr Wazed Mia. Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh Gennady P Trotsenko, Russian World Director MM Meyer and Department of International Corporation Director of ROSATOM VN Averkiev were present during agreement signing ceremony.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina provisionally approved the draft MoU.

Bangladesh and Russia finalised the draft MOU following a three-day meeting last month in Dhaka where they had agreed on installation of the plant.

The first initiative to install nuclear power plant in Bangladesh in Rooppur, Pabna was taken in 1961.

Currently 439 power plants are producing 16 percent of total electricity around the world

800 MW power to be added to nat'l grid by December

About 800 megawatts of electricity would be added to the national grid by the yearend, said the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, after discussing a vast recipe for tapping potential in this sector.
Briefing newsmen at the Media Centre in the Parliament complex in the afternoon about the outcome of yesterday's meeting M Subid Ali Bhuiyan said 330-MW electricity would be generated between September and November.
A 120-MW power plant would be operated in September and another 120-MW in October at Sidhirganj while a 90-MW one in November at Fenchuganj in Sylhet, he said.
He informed that 33,000 illegal electricity connections have been snapped across the country in a special drive from July 1 to 16, under a crash course for tackling a nagging electricity crisis in the country.
Subid said they suggested in the meeting disconnecting the illegal connections in the presence of magistrates as well as carrying out a massive campaign through mass media to inform people about the snapping of illegal power lines.
He said the meeting recommended introducing National Coal Policy "as soon as possible" for utilisation of coal in production of electricity to meet a growing demand for electricity.
The parliamentarians also recommended the government for taking effective initiative for generating electricity from wind and solar power as alternative sources of energy.
In this regard, he said, offers are coming from many foreign countries for production of wind and solar power. A Swedish company has offered to generate 400-MW electricity using wind.
The standing committee chairman said they also discussed Madhyapara and Baropukuria hard-rock mine as well as wanted to know why the thermal power plant at Baropukuria is not being operated.
The meeting also inquired about the progress of investigation by a subcommittee into irregularities that had taken place in power sector during the last BNP regime.
This was the fourth meeting of the committee.
Chaired by Subid Ali Bhuiyan, the meeting was also attended by committee members State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Huq Tuku, Abdul Matin Khasru, M Abdul Kader Khan, Enamul Huq, Mojibur Rahman Fakir and Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh.

Chinese Firm Gets 150-mw Sylhet Power Plant Deal

The cabinet committee on purchase yesterday approved a proposal of the power division to set up a 150 megawatt (MW) simple cycle gas turbine power plant at Kumargaon in Sylhet at a cost of Tk 704.52 crore (equivalent to US$ 101.5 million) to meet the growing demand of electricity in the eastern region of Bangladesh.

The decision, awarding the work to Chinese company M/S Shanghai Electric Group Company Ltd as lowest bidder, was taken at a meeting of the committee held at the cabinet division with the finance minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith in the chair.

According to the tender proposal, the Chinese firm will supply and install the simple-cycle gas-turbine plant on a turnkey basis within 540 days from the signing of contract for the Power Development Board (PDB).

Muhith later told reporters that the committee approved the proposal for setting up the 150 MW plant in Kumargaon for reducing load shedding and generation loss of power in Sylhet area.

"We have selected M/S Shanghai Electric Group Company Limited of China as a lowest bidder to set up the new power station," he said.

The meeting also approved another proposal of the power division to amend the contract of joint venture of SNC-Lavalin International Inc of Canada and SMEC International Private Limited of Australia for management and supervision of implementation of the Siddhirganj Peaking power plant contract package No. S-33. The plant involved Tk 21.73 crore.

The committee also approved another proposal of the works ministry to construct of 360 residential flats, each having 1,336 square feet of floor space, for government officials.

Thursday's cabinet committee meeting was attended by agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury, planning minister AK Khandker, food minister Dr. Abdur Razzak, commerce minister Faruk Khan, communications minister Syed Abul Hossain as well as senior officials concerned.

UNB adds: Official sources said that the 150-MW simple-cycle plant is the first power project that has been approved by the Awami League-led grand alliance government since it assumed office 8 months ago.

However, Communications Minister Syed Abul Hossain's business company-SACO - is believed to be the local agent of the China-based Shanghai Electric that obtained the contract for the huge power plant.

A total of four companies had submitted bids for the project, and among them, Shanghai became lowest responsive bidder offering Tk 704.51 to be the project cost (which consists of Euro 39.87 million plus US$ 47 million plus Tk 202 million). It quoted the gas turbine's net capacity to be 142.250 MW.

The other bidders were China Chengda Engineering, Indian Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and JV Gammon-Sadalmi Ltd.

The work for constructing two multi-storied buildings at Mirpur Section-2 as part of a project for building 360 flats was awarded to a lowest bidder at a cost of Tk 32.98 crore.

India Agreed to Provide at least 100 MW Power to Bangladesh

Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh undertook an official visit to India from 7-10 September 2009. During the visit, she held bilateral talks with the External Affairs Minister of the Republic of India Shri S.M. Krishna on a range of issues pertaining to India-Bangladesh relations. Dr. Dipu Moni also called on the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, Union Minister of Finance Shri Pranab Mukherjee and Union Minister for Water Resources and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal. She was accompanied during the visit by her spouse Mr. Tawfique Nawaz, Foreign Secretary Ambassador Mijarul Quayes, Director General ( South Asia ) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Muhammad Imran and Private Secretary to the Foreign Minister, Mr. Jishnu Roy Choudhury.

The visit was marked by warmth and cordiality and a commitment to strengthen bilateral relations. Each side showed a keenness to respond positively to the concerns of the other.

During Dr. Dipu Moni’s call on the Prime Minister of India, the Prime Minister mentioned that India attached the highest priority to its relations with Bangladesh . He reiterated his invitation to H.E. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to visit India at an early date. He expressed his hope that her visit would write a new chapter in India-Bangladesh relations.

During the official talks, the two Ministers noted the multifaceted nature of relations between the two countries and the historical and traditional bonds of friendship. They also noted that recent elections have provided both countries with a historical opportunity to take India-Bangladesh relations to greater heights. It was in this spirit that both Ministers discussed the entire gamut of bilateral relations and agreed on the following:

- Both sides recognized the need to expedite negotiations with a view to finalize an agreement for sharing of the waters of Teesta river. Towards this end, they agreed to mandate their respective Foreign Offices to meet and discuss the technical and other parameters of this issue. They agreed to immediately commence Joint Hydrological Observations on the river. They also agreed to undertake bank protection works, dredging of Ichhamati river and minor irrigation/drinking water schemes on Feni river.

- The Bangladesh side thanked the Indian side for the hospitality and cooperation extended to the Bangladesh Parliamentary delegation during their visit to the proposed Tipaimukh Dam site. In this context, the Bangladesh side welcomed India ’s reassurance that it would not take steps that would adversely impact Bangladesh .

- Both sides recognized the importance of bilateral and regional connectivity. In this context, both sides discussed designating Ashuganj as a new port of call under Article-23 of the Inland Water Transit and Trade Agreement as well as the use of Chittagong port by India . Bangladesh side agreed to provide access to Ashuganj Port to facilitate the transportation of the Over Dimensional Consignments for the Palatana Power Project in Tripura.

- Indian side agreed to facilitate Nepal-Bangladesh and Bhutan-Bangladesh connectivity.

- Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the power sector. India agreed to provide at least 100 MW to Bangladesh on a priority basis. Ahead of this, it will also undertake a feasibility study on power grid inter-connectivity for transmission lines, etc. from India to Bangladesh .

- Both sides agreed on the re-opening Sabroom-Ramgarh trade point as well as opening a land route at Demagiri-Thegamukh on the Mizoram border for bilateral trade.

- India agreed in principle to provide a Line of Credit for railway projects and supply of locomotives, coaches and buses. India offered to take up construction of Akhaura-Agartala railway link under Indian assistance.

- India also agreed to assist Bangladesh in the dredging sector.

- Both sides agreed to start Border Haats at the Bangladesh-Meghalaya border for mutual benefit of the people in these areas.

- Both sides agreed to movement of containerised cargo by rail and water for bilateral trade.

- Both sides welcomed the holding of the Joint Working Group on Trade last month and discussed broad economic issues with a view to fully activate all institutional mechanisms to promote two-way trade, initiate long pending trade facilitation measures and facilitate movement of businessmen and professionals. Bangladesh specifically raised the issue of duty free access to Bangladeshi commodities, removal of Non Tariff and Para Tariff Barriers and improvement of infrastructures on the Indian side. Indian side expressed its readiness to assist Bangladesh in strengthening the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institute. It also requested for removal of barriers to Indian investments and port restrictions for specific commodities.

- Both sides agreed to comprehensively address all outstanding land boundary issues. Both sides expressed their intent to resolve outstanding issues relating to Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves and the Tin Bigha Corridor. Both sides also recognized the need for electrification of Dahagram and Angarpota enclaves as a humanitarian gesture.

- The two Ministers reiterated their resolve to strengthen bilateral co-operation to deter the recurrence of terrorist incidents. Both sides also reiterated their resolve not to allow the use of their territories for activities inimical to each other’s security interests.

- Both sides agreed to conclude the following three agreements:

a. Agreement for mutual legal assistance on criminal matters,

b. Agreement of transfer of sentenced persons,

c. Agreement on combating international terrorism, organized crime and illegal drug trafficking.

The two Ministers reiterated their conviction that opportunities for fruitful collaboration between the two countries in furthering mutual interests were enormous and resolved to remain engaged to expeditiously address all bilateral issues.

Bangladesh: 500 Scientists will be Needed to Run Nuclear Power Plant

Bangladesh would need at least 500 nuclear scientists for a 1,000 MW nuclear power plant for its operation and maintenance after its installation, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC) Chairman said Wednesday, reports UNB.
"Other than scientists, the BAEC is fully ready to work for setting up a nuclear power plant with its existing resources," BAEC Chairman Dr Musharraf Hossain told a seminar.
Electrical, Electronic and Communication Engineering (EECE) Department of the Military Institute of Science and Technology (MIST) organized the seminar tilted ''Nuclear Power Plants in Bangladesh:
Prospects and Problems,'' in the city''s Mirpur Cantonment.
State Minister for Science and Information Communication Technology Yeafesh Osman, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Brig Gen (retd) Muhammad Enamul Huq, and Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh University of Professional Maj Gen Shafiqul Islam were, among others, present at the seminar chaired by MIST acting commandant Brig Gen Habibur Rahman Kamal.
Vice Chancellor of United International University Dr M Rezwan Khan and instructor of EECE department Maj AKM Nazrul Islam jointly presented the keynote paper at the seminar.
Dr Musharraf said, "We''ll get 4-5 years to take our own preparations following the signing of an agreement with any state for setting up a nuclear power plant. The time is enough to have some scientists ready."
Brig Gen (retd) Muhammad Enamul Huq said they want to create an environment for students so that they take interest in nuclear subjects as their choice of subject for higher education depends on the job market.
Replying to a query, Enamul Huq said the government would ask the country''s universities to introduce separate departments for higher studies on nuclear science to meet the demand.
The Energy Minister said the then Pakistan government had undertaken the nuclear power project in 1961 at Rooppur in Pabna before France had its first nuclear power plant in 1964. "France now gets more than 70 percent of its total electricity from nuclear plants," he said.
Yeafesh Osman said now the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is highly interested to assist Bangladesh in setting up a nuclear power plant in the country. "They want to provide us technical assistance."
About reactor''s safety and possibility of accidents, Dr M Rezwan Khan said the third generation reactors have the highest safety mechanisms with possibility of one accident in a million year.
"There might have the possibility of accidents, but we have to set up it to meet our future demand," he added.
About the cost involvement in nuclear power plant, he said its initial cost is higher, but experiences in other countries say electricity production is cost effective in comparison to other natural resources.
Regarding Bangladesh''s perspective, the scientist said widespread corruption and recent militancy in the country might hamper the efforts to have international support for setting up a nuclear power plant.
Dr Rezwan said nuclear power generally refers to electrical power from controlled non-explosive nuclear reactions.
However, India and Pakistan generate 2 percent of their electricity from nuclear reactors, while South Korea gets 29 percent of its electricity from nuclear plants, Japan 25, United States 20, Russia 17 and United Kingdom 14 per cent.

More 1360MW Electricity

The government hopes to produce 1,360 megawatts (MW) of additional electricity by March next year aiming to reduce power outages and boost industrial production.

State minister for power Enamul Haque told a meting of the parliamentary standing committee on power ministry that the government would be able to add at least 4,000 MW during its five-year term ending in 2014.

"The minister has informed us that additional 960 MW of electricity will be supplied to the national grid by January 2010," Subid Ali Bhuiyan, the standing committee chairman, told journalists at parliament's media centre.

"Besides, 400 MW more will be produced by March next year.

"It means a further 1,360 MW of electricity will go to the national grid by March 2010," he said.

The committee chairman said energy ministry is trying to give work order of a tender to produce 600 MW of electricity.

"If the present government can implement its electricity generation plan, we will be able to add at least 4,000 MW of electricity in five years," Bhuiyan quoted the energy minister as saying.

"Then power outages in the country will go," he said.

Production of electricity in the public sector in 2009 was about 4,300 MW per day against the daily demand for about 7,000 MW, according to the ministry figures.