Energy Crisis in Bangladesh
Introduction: Energy is the most
important element of modern life. It is called the driving force of all kinds
of development. It also makes human life easy and comfortable. If any crisis
occurs in the supply of energy, life becomes miserable and all kinds of
development activities become paralyzed. The energy crisis mainly refers to the
shortage of natural gas and electric power.
Present condition: Those of us who are
living in Bangladesh are victims of the energy crisis. It is unfortunate that as a
nation we have not been able to resolve this problem even after forty-one years
of independence. Governments come and go but this issue remains a struggling
issue. The whole nation is now in the grip of a serious crisis with no
possibility of immediate improvement. General Citizens are suffering from
massive load shedding in the sweltering heat and humidity. Power, water, and gas
supply crisis, or in other words the entire energy situation is in a terrible
mess.
The causes of this crisis: The energy crisis takes place because of inadequate generation of electrical energy. When the
production of energy falls short of the total requirement the supply of energy
is suspended temporarily at one area in order to provide energy in another
area. In this way, the power is provided round the clock in different areas
alternatively with temporary suspension here and there for a particular period.
This occurs because we do not have enough production of natural gas and
electric power. Our average daily power demand is 5000 MW and gas demand is
about 1900 MMCF. But our actual power generation capacity is 4000 MW and the actual
gas supply is 1750 MMCF. The huge deficit in power and gas supply
has created a severe energy crisis.
Impact of energy crisis: The shortage of energy not only hampers our comfort at home but also takes a toll on our economy. When the industrial machines are at rest directly affects our Gross National Product (GNP) and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). It is seriously impacting industrial production. The export-oriented industries are suffering to continue capacity production. As a result, industrial growth has come to a virtual halt. The authorities cannot provide gas and electricity connections to any new industries for the next couple of years. In this situation, new entrepreneurs are interested to risk investment. This situation will soon lead to a higher level of unemployment, drastically reducing export earnings, and causing a serious economic depression.
General Citizens are sufferings from
massive load shedding. Students find it extremely difficult to prepare their
lessons for examinations. Patients are suffering in hospitals. Power load
shedding has also impacted water pumping and delivery.
Remedial measures: The demand for
energy and power is increasing geometrically. But the generation and production
of them remained static. The energy situation has reached such a terrible stage
that the government as well as the nation will have to struggle a lot to bring
things back on track. To encounter the present crisis national consensus and
political commitment are necessary. Competition in this sector and system loss
must be controlled by forming a strong energy regulatory committee. Energy issues
must be considered as basic fundamental rights of the citizen. All the
prospects of solar power, wind energy must be exploited. Energy pricing must be
market-based. Modern electronic metering for energy use should be introduced to
control system loss.
Conclusion: We must remember that the continued crisis in the energy sector will cause disastrous situations in our agriculture,
commercial and industrial sectors. The economy will become stagnant and even nonfunctional.
It is for our national survival in a very difficult situation. We must agree on
basic issues in the shape of the energy agenda. It is the power that we really
need, in any situation.
