The energy transition will not be easy for Bangladesh, said Khandkar Golam Moazzem, director of research at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), on Thursday.
He said: “We know a globally significant transformation is going on in the energy sector. Bangladesh is not out of it. Though the phase of transactions is slower, it has been widely realized that in Bangladesh, transactions are very important. Both policymakers and governments have taken the necessary initiative through policies and various kinds of majors, as well as the private sector’s various kinds of programs. Development partners have also taken the initiative to take the transition into account.
“However, the Bangladesh energy transition would not be easy. Because we overwhelmingly depend on fossil fuels, particularly in the power sector.”
Golam Moazzem said these in a dialogue arranged by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), titled “Transition of Power: Employment and Skills”, on Thursday at BRAC Centre Inn Auditorium.
“As we know it very well, over 95% of the total energy is generated through the fossil fuel based energy mix. Less than 5% comes from renewable energy. So under such an overwhelming predominance of fossil fuels, it won’t be easy. That is also mixed with energy infrastructure, energy institutions, and energy related human resources. All the expertise, concepts, and operations based on fossil fuels. so that is dominated there.”
But this scenario is different for developed and developing countries.
On the other hand, if the government and policy-makers take steps with due importance in terms of employment, then 37,000 people can get new employment through energy conversion.
According to a CPD study, the renewable energy sector created 10.7 billion new jobs globally by 2021. That means many jobs in the energy sector will disappear, and new jobs will emerge.
At this time, training and skill development, changes in education curriculum, and vocational training should be arranged to prepare job aspirants for new jobs.
He also urged for energy transformation, employment, and policy formulation in the power and energy sectors.
At this time, Golam Moazzem presented a study report, titled “Energy Transition: Impact of Energy Transition on Employment and Skills in the Power and Energy Sector”, at the event.
Referring to the results of the report, he said that in the future, employment enriched in grid management, data analysis, cyber security, and artificial intelligence will be required.
Renewable energy based power plants will create 13,778 jobs in the country by 2030. On the other hand, 16,663 jobs will be created in fossil fuel based power plants, according to the study.
The energy transition will create 8,919 jobs by 2030. On the other hand, if the energy conversion is significant, then employment will increase by about four times. That means 37,220 jobs will be created, as the study report highlighted.
Fahmida Akhter, NDC, additional secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, said: “Regarding employment, I will first start with our RMG sector. It is an important sector of Bangladesh. We are also seriously looking into the aspects of safety, rights, wages, and financial support for RMG sector workers. Now we are working with workers who lost their jobs during covid-19. Our ministry is planning for workers in not only the RMG sector but all sectors so that they can get proper wages and security.”
Syed Manzur Elahi, member of the CPD Board of Trustees and former advisor to the Caretaker Government, chaired the session.
