Next 2 yrs critical for country's energy sector: Nasrul Hamid

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said that the next two years would be critical for the energy and power sector of the country.

He said the country needs to leapfrog during this time to fulfil the increasing demand and ensure energy security.

"We need to increase our local gas production by 600 mmcfd … We will start building a pipeline from Bhola to Khulna, and replace all the old pipelines in Dhaka and Narayanganj to make them automated…" he added, stating that it would be a huge challenge.

The state minister was addressing a seminar titled, "Highest Utilisation of Natural Resources of Bangladesh: Philosophy of Bangabandhu", organised by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce & Industries (FBCCI) at its office in Motijheel.

Nasrul Hamid said the government has done a lot for energy security.

"We have built 260km pipeline under the ocean from Moheshkhali to Patenga, which will save us Tk 1,000 crore a year. We will supply fuel from Patenga to Dhaka with another pipeline, which is also almost complete."

The government has increased fuel storage facilities in those areas as well as in Khulna and Baghabari, he added.

Regarding the import of LNG, the state minister said, "It will not increase dependency on imports. It will be a short-term solution until we get more gas from local sources."

Nasrul Hamid also said that the government's target is now to provide uninterrupted electricity at an affordable price.

FBCCI president Jashim Uddin chaired the event while energy expert Prof Badrul Imam presented the keynote paper.

Honorary Prof at Dhaka University's Geology department Badrul Imam said the country should emphasise gas exploration more and more.

"We still have two-thirds of our land unexplored and the whole offshore area is still undiscovered," he said.