Privatisation may offer long-term fuel solution: Tarek

Amjanatar Dal Member Secretary Md Tarek Rahman said on Saturday that privatising Bangladesh’s fuel sector could offer a long-term, sustainable solution to the country’s energy management crisis.

Speaking at a discussion titled “What Should Be Done to Resolve the Power and Energy Crisis,” organised by the party at its Paltan office in Dhaka, Tarek called for greater private-sector involvement alongside long-term government planning to tackle the ongoing power and energy crisis.

He cautioned, however, that the benefits and risks of privatisation should be carefully weighed before any decision is taken.

“Before privatising the fuel sector, we need proper research on its benefits and risks, the government’s ability to regulate large companies effectively, and the possibility of creating monopolies in the market,” Tarek said.

State Minister for Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Nurul Haque Nur attended as chief guest. Jatiya Party leader Ahsan Habib Linkon, BCAN Executive Director Imtiaz Mirza and Colonel (retd) Miah Mashiuzzaman were also present.

Solar, LNG and reserves

Tarek called for the rapid expansion of rooftop solar power through effective net metering to help ease the electricity crisis, saying solar panels could be installed at around 100,000 homes within a month if the necessary steps were taken.

He also stressed the need to maintain fuel reserves for at least six months and called for advance planning on LNG imports to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.

Autorickshaw regulation

On battery-powered autorickshaws, Tarek proposed regulating their numbers and ownership, suggesting curbs on individuals owning multiple vehicles and restrictions on their operation in particular areas or on specific days. He also recommended greater use of solar power to charge the vehicles.

On coal, Tarek called for an early policy decision on domestic extraction, arguing it was inconsistent to oppose coal mining while simultaneously criticising the country’s power shortage.

Energy crisis a long-standing problem: Nur

Nurul Haque Nur said the current power and energy crisis was not a new problem but had built up over a long period.

He said excessive reliance on rental and quick-rental power plants and imported energy under the previous government had contributed to the crisis, while a lack of long-term, sustainable planning had made it harder to resolve.

“The crisis cannot be solved overnight,” Nur said, adding that the current government had been in office for only six months and needed time to address the problems.

He called for greater exploration of domestic gas resources, wider use of local energy sources and measures to cut reliance on imports. 

The government had already taken steps to strengthen state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) and allocated funds to purchase rigs for gas exploration, he said.

Nur also urged citizens to use electricity more efficiently by avoiding unnecessary use of lights, fans and air conditioners, and said the government was in discussions with countries including the United States and Qatar to secure fuel supplies from alternative sources.