Power sector faces 7 challenges: Minister

Power sector is set to face seven challenges in the coming days, State Minister for Power Nasrul Hamid told parliament today.

The challenges are primary fuel, skilled manpower, service enhancement, reducing field-level corruption, making renewable energy popular, implementing projects in due time and ensuring investment in the sector.

The state minister talked about the challenges in parliament while participating in general discussion on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2016-17.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid. Star file photo

He said the government has planned to set up four floating regasification units, and is going to set up three land-based LNG terminals to ensure primary fuel use in the country.

"We've already started building the coal-based terminal," he said adding that the government wants to reach LPG cylinders to each door.

Aiming to create skilled manpower, Nasrul said the government wants to introduce a curriculum on power and energy.

"This course is also absent at the university level, but we need enough electrical mining engineers," he said.

About the improvement of service and reducing corruption, Nasrul Hamid said the transmission and distribution payment gateway should be privatised, while distribution companies should be service oriented.

He also opted for automation of all the systems through call centre Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADA). "With these, we'll be able to get rid of the corruption to a great extent."

Laying emphasis on renewable energy, he said the future world will be the world of renewable energy.