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Fond of coal!

Shamsuddoza Sajen
The government has recently unveiled a plan for 20 coal fired power plants based on imported coal. It evokes some unresolved questions that have been lurking in public mind since AL government's move for constructing Rampal coal fired power plant amid criticism and protest from energy and environment experts and activists.
This plan seems overambitious since its realisation needs to overcome serious challenges of securing investment for coal fired power plant projects, developing infrastructures within shortest possible time, and ensur-ingthe highest standard environmental security.
The plan relies heavily on foreign investment and loan. But amid growing pressure for bringing down high carbon development plans, securing fund for coal fired power development has been a challenge. The Guardian, on November 20,2013, reported that British Energy Secretary Ed Davis said that British tax payers' money would not be used for development of coal fired power plants in future in the developing countries. The United Kingdom is one of the largest financiers of coal fired development projects in the world.
The success of the coal fired power plant significantly depends on the development of coal import facilities. Bangladesh has no experience of large scale coal import. The government's attempt at installing Rampal power plant exposes its limitation in understanding coal supply chain, infrastructure requirements for coal import and their costs. The government has been facing serious challenges in facilitating import of 4.5 million tonne of coal required for Rampal power plant. There is still no required infrastructure for bringing this little amount of coal to the plant site, while the government is planning for 15,000 MW imported coal based power generation that will require approximately 45 million tonnes of coal supply within 2030. It will not be possible without deep sea port facilities and inland water route development. Therefore, coal fired power generation targets with imported coal may face serious challenges and may even be jeopardised.
From different studies conducted to assess environmental impact of Rampal power plant it is well proven that hazardous coal transportation system, weak management of fly ash and bottom ash produced from a coal fired plant and other plant related activities can have severe irreversible impacts on surrounding ecosystem. So when it comes to a matter of 20 plants, it only multiplies our fear of a terrible environmental disaster.
The government should seriously address the issues of coal supply, development of necessary infrastructures, securing investment, safe production, efficient waste management and environmental safety before embarking on such an ambitious plan. If the challenges are insurmountable then the government should give up its fondness for coal.
The writer Is Senior Editorial Assistant, The Daily Star.
E-mail: sajenl986@gmail.com