DHAKA: A World Bank team is arriving here next month for providing technical assistance in executing government’s high-priority agenda for tackling the endemic power crisis in the country.

Prime Minister’s Energy Adviser Dr Towfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury Wednesday told reporters at the secretariat that the delegation from the multilateral donor agency would mainly conduct a feasibility study on generating 500-megawatt power by using solar energy.

“Some 500 MW power will be generated in Bangladesh as part of World Bank’s initiative to generate 3000 MW electricity from solar energy in the developing countries,” said Chowdhury.

Stressing renewable energy and setting up coal-fired power plants, he said, “The government is working sincerely in this regard. The coal policy is going to be finalized soon.”

He also informed that government has taken initiative to import LNG for removing the gas crisis.

Earlier in the morning, the Energy Adviser at a seminar said the government was working with the sources of alternative energy and trying to use these sources like coal, wind, solar, biogas and biomass.  

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the seminar on alternative energy sources at the chamber auditorium.

The business leaders, however, expressed their concern over the embargo on giving new power connections to all sectors, including industries.

They demanded immediate formulation of the coal policy and laid emphasis on gas exploration apart from identifying the important gas-using sectors.

They also complained about importing low-quality solar panel and equipment as well as providing gas to run vehicles by shutting down the fertilizer factories.

BDST: 1724 HRS. AUG 11, 2010