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Light at the End of the Tunnel
By An Analyst :
Thank you to Amader Orthneeti for publishing a well-researched articled titled “The Debate on Quick Rental: Why?” by leading public commentator Mohammad A Arafat In his article, Mr Arafat has rightly pointed out that that the government was forced to install quick rental power plans as an unavoidable, temporary and short-term solution intended to be an immediate relief to address power shortfall caused due to the lack of infrastructural development for a long time by successive government He makes a strong case for the quick rental power solution emphasizing that the lack of electricity would in fact have a higher cost in our growing economy (over Taka 160,000 crores whereas the government’s expense/subsidy for quick rental power plants cost was only Taka 16,600 crores.)
Quick rental power projects are in fact a “band aid” emergency solution. The quick rental initiative was our only solution to the power crisis, though it may not have been the most ideal option. The government has to deal with not only existing but also increasing demand (burgeoning due to the fast pace of economic growth in the last two decades). In this respect, let us not forget the government has also expanded power coverage to 240,000 new consumers covering over 120 million more people (almost 8% of our population). It is very selfish city-based “urbanites” to want “uninterrupted” power, but what about the common people in our areas who were not even under electricity coverage?
Yes, there may be many reasons to criticize our government (as is the case for any developing countries) but power generation cannot be one of them. It would be very unfair to hold the government responsible for the power crisis. Given our constraints, the government has shown the highest level of political will and commitment on this issue. We should try to forget our political differences and give credit where it is due. Imagine the situation if we were still producing around 3,000 MW per day against a demand of 8,000 MW. We would not have electricity for more than few minues in a day. The government has also given emphasis to gas exploration as well as alternative energy sources. Moreover, there is prospect of importing energy from our neighbouring countries. The government has adopted a Power & Energy Masterplan- a first-time for the country. This shows our policymakers in government are at least trying. Let us also not forget power crisis is faced even in many other countries- developed and developing. We cannot expect changes overnight, but we can definitely see signs of improvement- there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Thank you to Amader Orthneeti for publishing a well-researched articled titled “The Debate on Quick Rental: Why?” by leading public commentator Mohammad A Arafat In his article, Mr Arafat has rightly pointed out that that the government was forced to install quick rental power plans as an unavoidable, temporary and short-term solution intended to be an immediate relief to address power shortfall caused due to the lack of infrastructural development for a long time by successive government He makes a strong case for the quick rental power solution emphasizing that the lack of electricity would in fact have a higher cost in our growing economy (over Taka 160,000 crores whereas the government’s expense/subsidy for quick rental power plants cost was only Taka 16,600 crores.)
Quick rental power projects are in fact a “band aid” emergency solution. The quick rental initiative was our only solution to the power crisis, though it may not have been the most ideal option. The government has to deal with not only existing but also increasing demand (burgeoning due to the fast pace of economic growth in the last two decades). In this respect, let us not forget the government has also expanded power coverage to 240,000 new consumers covering over 120 million more people (almost 8% of our population). It is very selfish city-based “urbanites” to want “uninterrupted” power, but what about the common people in our areas who were not even under electricity coverage?
Yes, there may be many reasons to criticize our government (as is the case for any developing countries) but power generation cannot be one of them. It would be very unfair to hold the government responsible for the power crisis. Given our constraints, the government has shown the highest level of political will and commitment on this issue. We should try to forget our political differences and give credit where it is due. Imagine the situation if we were still producing around 3,000 MW per day against a demand of 8,000 MW. We would not have electricity for more than few minues in a day. The government has also given emphasis to gas exploration as well as alternative energy sources. Moreover, there is prospect of importing energy from our neighbouring countries. The government has adopted a Power & Energy Masterplan- a first-time for the country. This shows our policymakers in government are at least trying. Let us also not forget power crisis is faced even in many other countries- developed and developing. We cannot expect changes overnight, but we can definitely see signs of improvement- there is light at the end of the tunnel.
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