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‘Energy sector demands more skilled hands’


Published : 16 Oct 2020 09:32 PM | Updated : 17 Oct 2020 01:18 AM

Speakers at a discussion said it is not possible to attain the desired goals in the country's power and energy sectors without developing skilled technical manpower and advanced technology.

As it’s a major challenge, organisations in the technology-dependent sectors must be headed by an engineer, they said.

Speakers came up with the remarks at a seminar on “Energy Security of Bangladesh: Issues and Options” at Institution of Engineers Bangladesh (IEB) in the capital on Friday.

Mechanical Engineering Department of the IEB organised the virtual event with its Chairman Engineer Mohammad Nasir Uddin in the chair.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid was attended in the seminar as chief guest through virtually. 

Addressing the event, Nasrul Hamid said, Bangladesh has a surplus in its energy and this self-sufficiency requires more skilled technical human resources to increase sustainability and produce renewable energy.

Sector-based master plan would help ensure uninterrupted energy supply along with urbanization in the country in addition to the integration of modern technology in the distribution and transmission sector, he added.

The minister said special importance is given to human resource development in coordination with the needs of the future.

Engine efficiency of oil-run vehicles is 20 percent, while the engine efficiency of electric vehicles is 80 percent, he said adding, therefore, policy support is needed to increase use of electric run vehicle.

He said the power division will provide necessary charging stations for the recharge of electric run vehicles.

Nasrul Hamid said with the development of infrastructure, demand for electricity and energy is increasing rapidly, adding, “Power and energy supply will be sustainable on plan-wise development.”

He also discussed about renewable energy, net metering systems, micro and macro level data, automation, investment and post-corona pandemic energy demand.

Energy expert Professor M Tamim presented the keynote paper on energy sector plan and its implementation, future needs, modern technology, special laws, use of gas and LNG, human resource development and economic resilience.

He said, “There will be vision, mission but plan must have for a short time. Our country needs less electricity in winter, but more in summer.”

“Therefore, regional cooperation can be taken to meet the demand for electricity in summer. But we have to develop our human resources, and a separate ministry should be established on human resource development,” he added.

Director General of Power Cell and Vice President (academic and international) of IEB Engineer Mohammad Hossain, Managing Director of GTCL Engineer Md Atikuzzaman, President of IEB Md Nurul Huda and Secretary for Science and Technology Secretary of Awami League Engineer Md Abdus Sabur, IEB Secretary Engineer Md Sahdad Hossain Shiblu, Vice President (HRD) of IEB Engineer Md Nuruzzaman, among other, joined the seminar.