But they should know that coal is a number one polluter of the environment and it produces huge carbon dioxide gas when used for electricity generation. In addition, in the developed countries, coal-based power generation is at present discouraged because of its adverse impact on the environment.

Therefore, I would like to bring this information to the notice of the government of Bangladesh and to the private power producers for their thinking whether they should go for coal-based power generation or adopt an alternative solution.

As Bangladesh is a third world, Least Developed Country (LDC), they might find it feasible for coal-based power production because of its low cost of production paradigm. But in the long run, it may cause alarm for the environment. Therefore, from this very moment, those concerned with electricity production should start working for alternatives to coal-based production.

Among the viable alternatives are solar power production, wind-based power production, bio-degradable plant-based power production, and ultimately nuclear-based power production.

However, only for the nuclear-based power production, Bangladesh can leave the option as a long term and futuristic one. Furthermore, for nuclear-based power production, Bangladesh should opt for a deal with overseas nuclear reactor producing companies who can install the facility in Bangladesh by their own proprietary technology and manpower.

Later, by imparting training to the locals, the foreign counterparts then can handover the project to the local authority. Nevertheless, the contracting foreign company must maintain their supervision of such plants for as long as possible period in the future. In this way, the reactor technology might be transferred to our country someday.

Regarding other generation option like solar power, Bangladesh has already started production in the rural areas. For wind based power generation, Bangladesh has not yet taken any measures or yet to adopt, install, or implement any such technology. Wind-based electricity generation, including installation of the turbines, is very costly if viewed in terms of the capacity or output that will be generated. However, Bangladesh might consider such venture with the help of the foreign contracting companies in the long run for mastering the technology.

Moreover, at present, many countries in the developed world are opting for bio-degradable plant-based power generation because of the high cost of diesel and petroleum based production. Here also, Bangladesh has not yet taken any major steps for producing electricity through bio-degradable method. These three later options of power productions are completely environment-friendly and the production method is a renewable energy-based production. Here the sources of renewable energies are sun, wind, and plants, the supplies of which are never ending.

As Bangladesh is facing acute power crisis, I suggest it should immediately start its endeavour towards generation of electricity through solar, wind and bio-degradable method, which are now proved to be completely environment friendly and renewable energy-based sources. As a result, it might help Bangladesh to produce electricity in large scale in the long run. It should turn back from the idea of coal-based power generation, which is not eco-friendly.

On the contrary, as an alternative use of coal, it can be exported to those poor countries around the world who cannot afford other costly means of power generation besides coal based generation followed by its extraction from the existing reserve in the country, which is a quality one. This in return will give Bangladesh an opportunity to earn some foreign currency to strengthen its economy.

Sadiq Rahim is a freelance contributor to The Daily Star.