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Experts from both public and private sectors have underscored the importance of energy efficiency and conservation to ensure Bangladesh's long-term energy security and drive its sustainable economic development.
They made the observations at a focus group discussion titled 'Energy Efficiency in the Industrial Sector of Bangladesh', held at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) Auditorium on Monday.
The event was jointly organised by the DCCI and the South Asia Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM).
In his welcome address, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed stressed the urgent need to promote behavioral change among energy users, particularly in the industrial sector.
He said the country's private sector is under considerable pressure due to lack of uninterrupted quality energy and power supplies in the industry.
As a result, the country's industrial production is being hampered badly, thereby affecting its competitiveness in the international export market, he said.
Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director of SANEM, said although an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan was framed in 2016 and an Integrated Energy and Power Sector Master Plan was developed in 2023 for the energy and power sector, still there is no specific government policy or action plan focusing on energy efficiency itself.
Therefore, the issue needs to be considered with due diligence, he added.
During the event, SANEM delivered a presentation on energy efficiency in the industrial sector, which highlighted the current state of energy efficiency, the use of necessary technologies, standardised measurement tools for assessing energy efficiency, and how interrupted energy supply is undermining overall efficiency.
Chairman of Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC) Mohammad Wahid Hossain said there remains a gap in the dissemination of energy-related information.
As a result, the private sector of the country is sometimes not aware of many government services or initiatives in this regard, he added.
Former DCCI president and vice-chairman of Newage Group Asif Ibrahim said production activities in industries, especially the SMEs, are being severely affected due to shortage of energy.
He said it will be possible to increase energy efficiency in the industrial sector if the existing higher rate of import duty on machinery is reduced and the capacity of renewable energy is increased.
Md Rafiqul Alam, Additional Secretary (operation), Energy and Mineral Resources Division, said the government is now allowing the private sector to import LNG.
"Through the efficient use we will be able to save 5-10 per cent power. But first of all we need to embrace the technology to be efficient in this regard," he said.
He also underscored the need for huge research and development to this effect.
Md Jahidul Islam, Joint Secretary (training wing) of the Power Division, General Manager of Petrobangla Md Imam Uddin Sheikh, Engr. Mohammad Ahsanul Amin, General Manager of BAPEX, Shamim Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association Mansoor Ahmed, Senior Vice President of BKMEA, DCCI Convenor Engr. NurulAktar, DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and members of the Board of Directors were also present at the event.
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