Control power use

A few days ago, PM's energy adviser stressed the need to conserve power and ensure efficient use of electricity and gas. In my opinion, he should have started working on this critical issue soon after he was made the energy adviser.

About gas, I feel there are two issues that can be considered. The most important thing is to have gas meters for all consumers: domestic, commercial and industrial.

For industries, we should have power factor capacitors installed at the earliest so that both the consumers as well as power suppliers can reduce power consumption. For this important step, I strongly feel that power factor capacitors should be allowed to be imported with minimum duty, not more than five percent on C&F basis. Also loans for opening LCs for its import should be allowed at a very nominal rate. This is justified for the tremendous possibility of reducing power consumption all across Bangladesh. If we press and go ahead for power factor improvement for all electricity consumers, then at least we will save between 500 to 800MWs. So why any delay?

Engr. S. A. Mansoor
Dhaka