In the power sector, two major Indian groups are likely to set up natural gas-based power stations in Bangladesh — Reliance and Shapoorji Palonji. Reliance has submitted plans to set up 4 power plants with an installed capacity of 3000 megawatts, using liquefied natural gas (LNG). The total investment, according to Dhaka-based media reports, is $3 billion. In the first phase, $1.5 billion would be spent, and two plants of 750 MW capacity would be made operational.

The location of the projects has not been mentioned. Bangladesh officials say that after meeting local needs, the company is seeking permission to feed its excess supply if any, into India’s national power grid. This and other details of the project are being discussed at the highest level.

The Shapoorji group intends to set up a 220 MW gas-fired combined cycle power plant at Bhola, according to Dhaka-based officials. The Bangladesh-India Joint Steering Committee is discussing the project along with others, at the private sector level.

During the next round of talks between the two countries, a slew of MOUs involving an investment of $15 billion is likely to be approved, according to present indications.

In Mining, MAPL, a West Bengal-based company, has secured permission to launch a feasibility study for a proposed scheme to produce methane gas from Jamalganj coal field in Bangladesh. The study will cost taka 19.32 crore. This very rich coalfield at Sonamganj area, it is estimated, has reserves of around 1.05 billion tonnes of coal, but at a depth ranging from 600 to 1500 metres. The usual depth for mining in the region is around 150 to 400 metres, which makes the task of exploration somewhat difficult.

Local media reports suggest that it may be easier to secure methane gas from the area, which has led authorities in Bangladesh to explore that angle even more than the process of mining as such. Petrobangla and other local expert organizations will be associated in the execution of the project with the MAPL.

Despite its sizable gas and oil reserves, Bangladesh faces a chronic power deficit, especially during the peak hours. On average, there is a 25% shortage. To meet this gap, Bangladesh has begun importing small amount of power daily from West Bengal, around 500 megawatts at present, but this could go up to 1500 MW eventually. Bangladesh also subsidises a part of its supply to selected segments of the society, which adds to its financial burden.

In the Energy sector, the idea for a Myanmar-Bangladesh-India pipeline has been revived of late. In the wake of good relations between India and Bangladesh and recently improving Myanmar-Bangladesh ties, all countries are taking a fresh look at the project which was put on the back burner for lack of progress some time ago.

Meanwhile, the HEECPL company intends to build a pipeline from Haldia to Bangladesh (to Petrapole initially) to arrange for gas supply. Energy requirements of Jessore and adjacent areas may be met considerably by the new pipeline. This company is building an LNG terminal of 8 million tonnes capacity at Digha, West Bengal at present. From here pipelines are being built to specified supply points in East and Northeast India.

While the situation for greater economic interaction and co-operation between the two countries has improved much during the tenure of the Awami league at present, the diehard anti-India sentiment in Bangladesh continues to plague public discussions and even media coverage of bilateral projects at every stage. Islamist bloggers continue to warn against the dangers as they see, of a greater, closer Indo-Bangla involvement in energy and other sectors. Some have even warned of the fate of Ukraine vis-à-vis its present conflict with Russia!

Such elements think nothing of rewriting the very history of Bangladesh, claiming that its independence in 1971 was more a product of India’s expansionist ambitions, without commenting on the political/cultural assertion of Bengalis protesting against West Pakistani exploitation! (IPA Service)