DHAKA, Aug 9, 2023 (BSS)-Prime Minister’s Energy Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Bir Bikram, today said awareness should be enhanced for responsible use of energy. 

“The supply chain must be efficient for use of energy. If we can reduce water consumption in agriculture, then electricity and fuel costs will be reduced,” he said.
Addressing a discussion on the occasion of observing 'National Energy Security Day 2023' virtually, the advisor said Bangabandhu's indomitable courage helped in building of planned Bangladesh. 

“Five gas fields were purchased on August 9, 1975 which has been contributing effectively to ensure country's energy security. The Law of the Sea was the first in the region to ensure our rights in the sea,” he added. 

He said flexible planning should be taken so that hostile situations can be faced successfully. 

“Energy diversification should be increased to reduce dependency. There is a need to be more careful with search operation in the sea because still no remarkable success was found,” Dr Tawfiq added.

He said, “It is necessary to implement Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's plan to build a developed-civilized-humanitarian country by 2041.”

He said that six gas fields were discovered from 2009 to 2023, adding, “Gas transmission pipeline has also been increased to 3,625 km, new oil pipeline operation-624 km, oil storage capacity has increased to 13.09 lakh metric tons, gas supply line has been increased to 1,256 mmcfd and four rigs have already been purchased.”

“Supply of petroleum products has been increased to 40.16 lakh metric tonnes and LPG by 31 times. Model PSC finalized for offshore bidding. Activities are now underway to start bidding round soon,” the advisor said.

Editor of Energy and Power magazine Mollah Amjad Hossain and Dhaka University Professor Dr Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan delivered speeches as key discussants.

Energy Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Majumdar chaired the programme while Standing Committee chairman on Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry Begum Wasika Ayesha Khan, Power Division senior secretary Md Habibur Rahman, Chairman of Bangladesh Petroleum Company ABM Azad and Chairman of Petrobangla Janendra Nath Sarkar gave their speeches.