Bangladesh must focus on energy efficiency and its conservation in a
bid to ensure environmentally sustainable economic growth, analysts said
yesterday.
Up to 20 percent additional electricity can be generated if emphasis is put on the efficient use of technology in power production, transmission, distribution and consumption, they said.
At present, the installed power generation capacity is hovering around 13,000 megawatts, while the real production is about 7,700MW, said Rajarshi Banerjee, country manager of ABB, one of the world's leading power and automation technology companies.
By adopting modern technology, the country can increase its power production by another 1,000MW, he said at the launch ceremony of the Energy Efficiency Engagement programme of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The programme was launched yesterday by the NCCI in collaboration with the Danish International Development Agency through the Danish embassy at a local hotel.
The main objective of the programme is to promote the adoption of energy-efficient practices and technology in the industrial sector, which would then lead to significant lowering of costs and reduction of energy intensity.
This will be achieved by offering companies the opportunity to get an energy assessment of their production facilities by certified consultants. The programme is funded by Danida and NCCI is the implementing partner.
The United States, a major power producing country, makes up around 25 percent of its total electricity generation through energy efficiency, said Mohammad Tamim, a professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
He called for bringing in efficiency on residential use of power, as the segment now accounts for nearly 53 percent of the country's total electricity consumption.
Atiur Rahman, governor of Bangladesh Bank, stressed the need for green initiatives for sustainable economic growth.
The country has maintained more than 6 percent of real GDP growth over the last ten years, which is poised to increase in the years ahead. If the momentum continues, energy consumption will rise by at least 10 percent, he said.
Rahman went on to praise the role of NCCI and Danida in supporting the green growth of Bangladesh economy by addressing the priorities in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Hanne Fugl Eskjaer, the ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, said the reason for developing this engagement is to support the growth of Bangladesh industries in a sustainable way and increase the activities of Danish and Nordic companies in Bangladesh.
Energy efficiency is the foundation for future industrial growth, as it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy intensity and improve the sustainability of products produced in Bangladesh, she said.
NCCI President Shamim Ul Huq said energy efficiency will be a major contributor to economic growth, adding that NCCI strongly believes in sustainability and supporting the trade at large in becoming sustainable.
Sustainable economic growth and the security of energy and water supply are among the greatest global challenges today.
As the first country in the world, Denmark has decided to lead the “green growth” transition and become a green and resource-efficient economy, entirely independent of fossil fuel by 2050, said Stephan Skare Enevoldsen, senior advisor of Danida.
Energy efficiency has been a key for Denmark's green growth. In 2013, electricity production in Denmark from renewable energy plants accounted for 46.7 percent of domestic electricity supply, he added.
Up to 20 percent additional electricity can be generated if emphasis is put on the efficient use of technology in power production, transmission, distribution and consumption, they said.
At present, the installed power generation capacity is hovering around 13,000 megawatts, while the real production is about 7,700MW, said Rajarshi Banerjee, country manager of ABB, one of the world's leading power and automation technology companies.
By adopting modern technology, the country can increase its power production by another 1,000MW, he said at the launch ceremony of the Energy Efficiency Engagement programme of the Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The programme was launched yesterday by the NCCI in collaboration with the Danish International Development Agency through the Danish embassy at a local hotel.
The main objective of the programme is to promote the adoption of energy-efficient practices and technology in the industrial sector, which would then lead to significant lowering of costs and reduction of energy intensity.
This will be achieved by offering companies the opportunity to get an energy assessment of their production facilities by certified consultants. The programme is funded by Danida and NCCI is the implementing partner.
The United States, a major power producing country, makes up around 25 percent of its total electricity generation through energy efficiency, said Mohammad Tamim, a professor of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.
He called for bringing in efficiency on residential use of power, as the segment now accounts for nearly 53 percent of the country's total electricity consumption.
Atiur Rahman, governor of Bangladesh Bank, stressed the need for green initiatives for sustainable economic growth.
The country has maintained more than 6 percent of real GDP growth over the last ten years, which is poised to increase in the years ahead. If the momentum continues, energy consumption will rise by at least 10 percent, he said.
Rahman went on to praise the role of NCCI and Danida in supporting the green growth of Bangladesh economy by addressing the priorities in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Hanne Fugl Eskjaer, the ambassador of Denmark to Bangladesh, said the reason for developing this engagement is to support the growth of Bangladesh industries in a sustainable way and increase the activities of Danish and Nordic companies in Bangladesh.
Energy efficiency is the foundation for future industrial growth, as it will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reduce energy intensity and improve the sustainability of products produced in Bangladesh, she said.
NCCI President Shamim Ul Huq said energy efficiency will be a major contributor to economic growth, adding that NCCI strongly believes in sustainability and supporting the trade at large in becoming sustainable.
Sustainable economic growth and the security of energy and water supply are among the greatest global challenges today.
As the first country in the world, Denmark has decided to lead the “green growth” transition and become a green and resource-efficient economy, entirely independent of fossil fuel by 2050, said Stephan Skare Enevoldsen, senior advisor of Danida.
Energy efficiency has been a key for Denmark's green growth. In 2013, electricity production in Denmark from renewable energy plants accounted for 46.7 percent of domestic electricity supply, he added.
