A massive movement against using fossil fuels is taking place all around the world. Germany has created example to others by taking attempts to shift traditional sources of energy to 100 percent renewable energy. Basically, energy transition is appreciated for reducing world carbon emissions and facing the challenges of global warming sustainable.
Very recently, Bangladesh has attained the status of low-middle income country by World Bank. Over the last few years, Bangladesh has been enjoying more than 6% economic growth and few days ago it has crossed $1300 per capita income. Now, it is eying to be a middle income country by 2021 with full digitalization. To achieve this vision, Bangladesh will need a bulk of electricity and government has targeted to generate 24000MW where present capacity is 14000MW.
According to World Bank about 73% energy consumption of Bangladesh comes from fossil fuels. Moreover, it reported that only 60% people in Bangladesh have access to electricity whereas 90% in urban areas and 42% access in rural areas. Contrary almost 70% people live in rural areas and government has commitment to give access to electricity to all people.
There were some fallacies like Bangladesh is floating on gas and coal would be potential alternative source of energy. But now it is clear that our natural gas will be exhausted within next five or six years if new fields of gas are not discovered. In the case of coal yet we could not decide the mining methods whether it will be open mining or not. Besides, nuclear energy system can be disastrous for us like Japan and other countries.
So, it is evident that only fossil fuels, coal and gas will not be sufficient for meeting total amount of energy demand. There is no doubt that supply of renewable energy will need to be expanded to generate electricity at large scale for meeting increasing demand of energy. Now, massive expansion of renewable energy is not only desirable but also necessary to achieve long term goals.
In this case, Germany has been role model for the world in energy transition from nuclear, fossil fuels energy to renewable energy. Germany is looking forward to complete source of renewable energy. In 2015, surprisingly renewable energy covered 30% of all electricity energy in Germany. The main target of energy transition is to lead energy sector to a secured, environmentally friendly and economically future. Bangladesh has planned to meet 10% of total energy from renewable source by 2021. As Bangladesh is environmentally most vulnerable to climate change, there is no substitute of environmentally friendly economy.
It is matter of hope that very recently Bangladesh and Germany has agreed to work jointly to ensure micro level energy transition. This will be run under a project where village dwellers will be brought under electricity access by providing a low-cost metering device to individual households with solar-home-systems. This project will enable efficient electricity trading with neighboring households and local business. It is reported that 65 million people do not have access to the national grid in Bangladesh. The huge amount people are solely dependent on diesel generators and kerosene lamps etc. on the other hand, Bangladesh is one of the leading countries when household based solar system is counted. Solar system has reached more than four million individuals to ensure basic access to electricity over the last 20 years. It is predicted that this system will make users earn additional income by selling their surplus electricity.
In our country, 53% electricity is consumed by residential lines whereas industry only 28%. Moreover, it is reported that the residential sector of Dhaka city alone consumes 48% of all total electricity consumption. It is expected that Dhaka will be the world’s 3rd largest mega city by 2020. Energy transition can be viable option for meeting increasing demands. The urban planning of Dhaka city should be complied with green economy. Solar panel in Dhaka residential areas should be mandatory in building codes. Use of public transport should be encouraged for energy efficiency as private cars consume more fossil fuels.
Break free from fossil fuels campaigning has been popular movement all over the world specially among the young generation. We very often talk about sustainable development for our future generation. With traditional energy system, we will not be able to ensure better future for our next generation. Now it is the demand of the day to break the chain of fossil fuels energy and turn to renewable energy by energy transition. So we should stand united to strengthen this movement by stretching our helping hands from our own places.
Regional cooperation may provide a major opportunity for South Asian countries to fulfill energy security through large scale development of energy resources. Regional cooperation can be accompanied by sharing technologies and renewable energy resources. Most importantly regional renewable fund can be a time fitting initiative for South Asian countries like Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Nepal etc.
Bangladesh is called a country of lots of potentials. But infrastructural backwardness and lack of proper planning are the constraints on the way of exploring all the potentials. We are marching towards vision 2021 and it is high time to change energy policy from fossil fuels to renewable energy for sustainable development. Now combined efforts from public and private sectors can make things easier and viable. So it is demand of the day to make transition of energy system in Bangladesh towards renewable energy for better future.
—
Writer is a youth leader and development practitioner who is studying Development Studies at University of Dhaka.
[email protected]