REVISITING THE CASE OF COAL-FIRED POWER PLANT IN THE CONTEXT OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

The objective of this article is to analyse the options for Coal-Fired Power Plant (CFPP) while perusing energy security in the context of Bangladesh. It identifies the merits and demerits of CFPP as a source of electricity and energy mix in Bangladesh through reviewing recent global, regional and local data. The research is conducted using a combination of qualitative and quantitative method. Data for the research is collected from secondary documents and literature review, review of official documents on the subject, interview with the key informants, focused group discussions and personal observations. From the study it is found that all developed countries of the word have reached to their present level of economic success and development leaning on to coal power and they still rely heavily on it for their continued development. The march of CFPP started since the Industrial Revolution and the trend is likely to continue in the foreseeable future despite its hazardous effects on the environment. At present, developing and under developed countries are following the same path with regard to CFPP for economic emancipation and prosperity of their populace. Bangladesh, despite having some reserves of coal is yet to fully utilise it for electricity generation. Bangladesh depends heavily on natural gas for electricity generation and lack of fuel diversity has endangered its future energy security. Thus, the government should immediately undertake projects to mine own coal and establish mine mouth CFPPs to meet the immediate electricity requirement that is necessary for the development. While power generation process with own coal gets pace, the government should also develop necessary infrastructure required to import coal for generating electricity. Side by side, extensive exploration is required to find additional hydrocarbons within the territory and thus, ensure future energy security of the country. While generating electricity from coal, the government should give due considerations to the sentiments of the people and avoid ecologically sensitive areas of the country.