"Fund constraint is not the main problem. Only the absence of political commitment of the government was the main reason behind the present power crisis," said Shamsul Islam, former chairman of Power Development Board (PDB).

Forum for Energy Reporters, Bangladesh (FERB) organised the seminar titled "Power Crisis: Way out" at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium in the city with Forum chairman Mollah Amzad Hossain in the chair.

FERB Executive Director Mahmud Hafiz presented the keynote paper at the seminar.

The speakers said that in the last 16 years, the nation never saw a full-fledged energy minister that reflected the negligence to the vital sector by the successive governments.

General Secretary of the Collective Bargaining Agent (CBA) of Power Development Board (PDB) Zafrul Hassan, also general secretary of Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said the lack of coordination and also political will have led to such a critical situation in the power sector.

"In last four years, the PDB chairman was changed five times while the Power Division secretary changed four times... this reflects the clear apathy of the government to the sector," he said.

Newly appointed PDB chairman ANM Rijwan said the situation will improve by the end of March when the ongoing rehabilitation and maintenance programmes of some power plants will be completed.

He said of the total 103 units, some 21 units with about 980MW capacity are now under maintenance and rehabilitation.

"We're hopeful these units will resume operation by March 31 and then the situation will improve reasonably," Rijwan said.

He, however, said despite this, the country may still have to face a shortage of about 1,000MW, as the demand will go up to 4,500MW against the available supply of 3,500MW.

He said of the total generation units, 45 with combined capacity of about 2015MW, are aged between one and ten years. The remaining 58 units are very old while some 34 units are 20 to 41 years old -- most have become obsolete, he said.

Rijwan said the government has taken initiative to put in place some fast-track barge, skid and trailer mounted power plants to address the present power crisis. "If these plants come into operation, they may add another 360MW in the coming summer."

Former PDB chairman Brig General (Retd) MA Malek, served during the last Awami League government as well as under the present alliance government, said discontinuation of the supplier's contract in the power sector has resulted in such crisis.

"Soon after assuming the charge, the present government cancelled some supplier's credit-funded projects. But they failed to arrange any alternative funding," he said.

Moazzem Hossain, president of Bangladesh Energy Companies' Association (BECA) and chairman of Hosaf Group, said the private entrepreneurs are ready to invest in the power sector.

"We can set up barge-mounted plants within next six months if the government gives us firm commitment. In that event, the government will have to accept even unsolicited offers," he said.

Chairman of Khulna Power Company Mohammed Aziz Khan said if the government really wants a healthy and vibrant power sector, a fullfledged minister will have to be given the charge.