As a citizen in smart Bangladesh, I like to inform the relevant authorities about my some issues, not only from my personal views but also from my observations about my villagers serious crisis. I have just shared a recent memory that I snatched on this Eid vacation. Before 1 day of Eid, my village was totally deprived of the privilege of electricity in the range of 8 to 12 hours a day.
I was shocked because I used to have nonstop electricity service in my university hall, which was situated near a town. But its not possible to deny that all villagers have been included in the electricity service that was unbelievable before 10 years. So I especially thank the government for this great activity. It is hard to fulfill our demand for electricity due to our unconsciousness of using electricity in our house.
It is commonly seen that the countrymen of our country are so unconscious of using electricity. They feel very slothful at the time ofswitch off. They go outside without turning off lights, fans, or motors. These are ultimately illegal not only from a religious perception but also from the minimum responsibilities. From the views of Islam, the tendency to waste is totally demotivated by addressing them as the friends of the devil.
According to Aristotle, a citizen is a person who possesses the virtues of ruling and being ruled (or being ruled but not ruling). This means that we can easily identify noncitizens: these are individuals who do not have (or are not capable of having) the virtues (Frede 2005). From this concept, we can realize that, as good citizens, we must make proper use of electricity and combat the tendency of idleness to turn off the switch.
Now we try to observe that present condition. According to The Daily Stars report, the REB had 30 percent less electricity than the demand, causing 8-10 hours of loadshedding per day, especially in rural areas, during the two months. The daily electricity requirement in Bangladesh ranges from 13,000 megawatts (MW) to a maximum of 17,000 MW. Generally, the country produces between 13,000 MW and 15,000 MW based on the need. Presently, the total power generation capacity of the country, as per the government report, is 27,515 MW.
PDB data, about 50 percent of the countrys gas-based power plants are now sitting idle. The gas-based plants produced about 5,500 MW of electricity, against the maximum production capacity of 11,500 MW. Coal-based power plants are the second highest, producing 4,300 MW, and liquid fuel-based plants are producing 2,900 MW.
According to the data of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), the total production capacity of the power sector in the country will stand at 31 thousand megawatts by the end of this year. The highest average daily generation of electricity in the country in 2023 was in September, at 13,208 MW. And the average generation fell to the lowest in January, at 9,600 MW. Even if there is 10 percent growth, the highest average production of electricity this year will remain at 15,000 megawatts. However, according to the electricity department, the maximum production of electricity this year has been estimated at 17,500 megawatts.
From the source of Daily Bonik Barta, According to the data from BPDB, as of January this year, the total power generation capacity in the country was 25 thousand 951 MW. In 2024, a total of at least 5,480 MW of government, private, and joint power plants is expected to be added. Out of this, 2 thousand 774 MW will be connected from government power plants and 1 thousand 492 MW from private power and 1 thousand 244 MW will be connected from joint power plants (PPP). If this capacity is added, the total power generation capacity in the country will reach 31 thousand 431 MW.
However, load shedding acts as part of the electricity distribution system. So there is no need to be worried; just maintain the instructions to become a good citizen. We can search for an alternative energy source like solar energy or bioenergy. For example, people in rural areas can use biogas in their kitchen activities. Generally, we use a lot of electricity when using cooking devices. Biogas also supports saving natural gas, and we know that natural gas is the main raw material in the production of electricity. In urban areas, they use many electronic devices. These devices capture a mixed amount of electricity, like an air conditioner (AC). This tendency is created by deforestation as the environment spreads warm air in a particular town area. The use of AC not only snatches over-range electricity but also produces the danger of CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) that damages the ozone shield. However, I don move forward with my topic.
In solar energy, we can store it electronically and use it according to our wishes in anywhere, even remote areas. According to a recent survey report by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), in 2021, some 2.25 percent of the population used SHSs (ssolar home systems). The number declined to 1.81 percent in 2023. We can utilize the solar system in our daily lives.
In city areas, lampposts are turned on even during the day, and relevant authorities are so careless about taking steps against the irresponsibility of employees. This type of irresponsible employee must be held accountable.
I give you just an example from my tiny experience. My elder sisters house is located in Upazila town. When I went out for a morning walk, I saw the sreet lamp on. then I searched the duty staff for turning off the light, but I couldn get him; he may be replaced at home after finishing his night. In that time, I lost all intention to do something, though the sreet lamp was on. Accordingly, pedestrians lose their intensity like mine. Its not an exiom theory; it will be different from others.
How we can overcome this problem, we need to know now. Not to mention an interview in Prothom Alo before that. In an interview with Prothom Alo, energy expert M Shamsul Alam said, What is the way out of this problem in the power sector? In response to this question, he said that the path of passage is straight. After independence, Petrobangla was made to make the energy sector self-reliant. But the previous government made it dependent. Bureaucrats should not decide how the energy or power sector will run. BERC (Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission) should talk to stakeholders. Let the power department also listen.
How to protect the resources of the country and how to make electricity available to the people should be thought of. If the energy sector runs on the advice of someone from outside, the country will be destroyed. Industry, state, society, and people have to be more cost-effective in dealing with electricity load-shedding in rural towns. In this case, special attention should be paid to the industries. Alternative energy sources should increase the use of solar energy. Solar energy is being used as an alternative energy source in different countries around the world. Bangladesh is still insufficient. Government sponsorship will play a leading role in this regard. Universities should focus on research, where government patronage and cooperation are highly desirable. The government should ensure electricity management and supply in rural towns through various policies and schemes. Every rural town in this country has a taste of digital Bangladesh.
This writer is a campus journalist and student of the Pharmacy Department at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University
