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Bangladesh exploring ‘Hydroelectricity from sea water’ possibilities: PM Hasina

Bangladesh: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina informed the parliament yesterday that discussions are ongoing regarding the generation of hydrogen electricity from seawater. She was responding to a query from Awami League lawmaker Anwar Hossain Khan. The Prime Minister stated that the feasibility of hydrogen power generation at Matarbari, Maheshkhali, or Banshkhali will be investigated if possible.

Hydroelectric power station near the Bay of Bengal

In response to a question about setting up a hydroelectric power station in the Bay of Bengal near Cox’s Bazar, the Prime Minister said that some countries generate electricity using sea tides but it is costly and has not been commercially successful. Currently, there are no plans to establish such a power plant, but the production of hydrogen electricity could be considered if the cost comes down in the future.

Upgradation of the road network

In another query from AL lawmaker Mahfuzur Rahman, Hasina reported that during the incumbent government’s tenure, 1,558 bridges and 7,498 culverts have been constructed or reconstructed. The work to upgrade 908.49 km of roads to four lanes or more is also underway, and 235.03 km of roads have already been upgraded to four lanes or more.

Hydrogen from seawater

Sheikh Hasina informed Parliament that discussions are ongoing regarding the production of hydrogen electricity from seawater. The Prime Minister said discussions are taking place with companies that have proposed the idea. A feasibility study of hydrogen power generation in Matarbari, Maheshkhali, or Banshkhali will be conducted if possible, she said.

Hasina stated that electricity generated by sea tides, which is costly and has not been commercially successful, is not currently a plan for Bangladesh. However, if the cost of producing hydrogen electricity from seawater decreases in the future, it could be a possibility.

Reducing manpower export to Middle-east

Hasina also informed the Parliament that a record number of 11,13,374 workers were employed abroad in 2022, with 105,466 of them being women. The government is working to reduce manpower export dependency on Middle Eastern countries by exporting manpower to Eastern Europe and Eastern Asian countries.

The Prime Minister also reported that 1,558 bridges and 7,498 culverts have been constructed or reconstructed during the current government’s tenure.

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