Ad-hoc power solution
A front-page article on the subject was published in a local daily on June 1. The writer expressed some critical views regarding the government's approach to energy solutions, which was somewhat ad-hoc in my opinion. It is rather a theoretical advice, and to an extent not very rational or pragmatic in real life!
The observations of the BUET professor were based on facts and realities.
The rental power plants are to see off the immediate power crisis.
The government should go all out for coal mining; through underground mining if necessary. We have one underground mine, and must have acquired some hands-on knowledge on the matter; so sinking two more mines should not be so difficult for us. This should help us to provide fuel for (2X500), 1000mw of electricity.
The professor from Jahangirnagar University was, unfortunately, way off base in his ideas. Renovation of old and inefficient power plants will not be wise, and it will never be cost effective. In any case, before the new power plant comes on line, the old one has to be taken off-line for maybe at least 18 months, if not more. Retro-fitting, in any case, is always a costly and time consuming work.
I wonder, why none of the learned professors suggested the U-238 fuelled nuclear power plants for Bangladesh! The technology is established and it is absolutely safe having no radiation hazard! In fact it is operated in some US universities for training nuclear power engineers! There are many such plants, commercially operating in Germany, Spain, South Africa and China! In fact China is now putting up a 400MW U-238 based nuclear power plant!
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