Bangladesh has reserves of 3,565 million tonnes coal and 14 TCF natural gas: State Minister Nasrul Hamid

"If we could extract 50 per cent of coal from the reserve, 40 TCF gas would be added in the existing natural gas reserve," he said at 'Meet the press'.

Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU) arranged the programme at its auditorium. DRU president Shakhawat Hossain Badsha delivered welcome speech and General Secretary Elias Hossain conducted the programme.

The state minister said the government augmented generation of electricity, expanded transmission lines, distribution lines and improved capacity of other sectors aimed at reaching the economic growth to become a middle income country by 2021.

"Currently, country's 75 per cent people have access to electricity and this has been possible due to bold and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina," Nasrul Hamid said.

He said the government is now providing 300,000 to 350,000 power connections per month on an average and increasing and expanding transmission lines across the country.

Pointing to the coal energy sector, the state minister said the government prepared a master plan targeting to generate 20,000 MW using 53 per cent coal as primary source.

"But we consider shifting a few number of projects to renewable energy as the scenario of power sector is changing. We have already identified 13 areas for wind power," he said.

Nasrul said the government has undertaken various projects to generate 24,000-MW by 2021 and the electricity generation reached over 13,000-MW, adding that "The government has given top priority to the development of the sector considering its importance in the overall development of the country."

"We have a target to bring 90 per cent population under REB (Rural Electrification Board) coverage by 2018," the state minister said.

Besides, a huge number of solar home systems have been installed in the remote and other areas for shifting power generation in the renewable energy. "We have a plan to establish a research council to improve the renewable energy sector in the country," he said. The government is importing electricity from India and initiatives are on to import electricity from Bhutan and Nepal, he added.

Replying to a question on NIKO incident, the state minister said the BNP led government was incorrect to allot a gas field to NIKO.

He expected that the government would be able to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) by 2017 to meet the growing demand for energy in the country. A memorandum of understanding was signed with Qatar for procuring LNG and the building of LNG terminal at Moheshkhali is progressing.

The Excelerate Energy, Singapore, would visit Bangladesh to finalise the Terminal Use Agreement on October 21, the state minister said.

Besides, the government has prepared a strategy paper for bringing 70 per cent population under liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 2018, he said, adding that "The government has undertaken a project to install 250 kms petroleum fuel pipeline between Chittagong and Dhaka for reducing transport cost and stopping pilferage of fuel."

"We have produced 8,97,866 barrel Motor spirit, 5,43,153 barrel diesel and 1,84,477 barrel kerosene in 2014-2015 by processing condensate," Nasrul Hamid said,

In reply to another question, the state minister ruled out allegations of security issue, saying a large number of foreigners are working in the power sector and the government strengthened security for them.

"The security concern is not hampering foreign investment because Japan expressed their interest to invest 6 billion dollars in the sector," he said.