Entrepreneurs seek efficient alternatives to electricity

The country’s industrial entrepreneurs are interested in solar panels and modern generators at the energy and energy-saving technologies exhibition, looking for alternatives to electricity.

The 2022 Bangladesh Innovation and Infrastructure Development (BIID) Exhibition and Dialogue is underway at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) in the capital.

A visit to the exhibition on Friday revealed that industrialists flock to the stalls of modern generators and clean energy sources such as solar, wind and hydro.

They said that the recurring load shedding [for 2 to 3 hours a day] severely disrupts production at their factory and they are looking for a technology that will allow them to keep the factory running in the event of a power outage.

The 11th edition of this international exhibition, organized by ExpoNet Exhibition (Pvt) Ltd, started on October 13 and will end today (October 15).

Around 45 technology manufacturers and service companies from India, Germany and Bangladesh are exhibiting their products at the show.

Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, the owner of Haque Aluminum Works, was seen collecting information and leaflets at various booths.

He said: “There is no electricity for 2-3 hours a day. There could be a gas shortage in the future. So we are looking at options to run the plant using the new technology.”

Run Power Engineering Ltd imports energy efficient generators from overseas. Abdur Rahim Khan, the company’s marketing manager, said, “Our sales have recently increased by 10% due to worsening load shedding. We provide state-of-the-art generators as per the needs of the organization.”

Ifada Electronics Lts sells solar fans, solar pumps, street lights and various other solar devices. Another company, Super Saver, provides IPS and UPS services to homes and offices.

Ifada’s technical director, Miraj Hossain, said, “We provide all kinds of assistance regarding solar energy. Our products have been in demand before, but now the demand has increased even more.

Nazmul Haque, who works as a consultant for three private organizations, said, “Our organization needs solar support. So we came here to find out how to get this support for less. You will find many organizations under one roof that provide this support.”

“Our factories operate 12 hours a day and must continue to operate despite load shedding. We check generators and solar power and calculate how much energy we need for smooth production,” he added.

Managing Director of ExpoNet Exhibition (Pvt) Ltd, SK Md Rashedul Haque, said, “We encourage the use of environmentally friendly and energy efficient technologies. Our goal is to educate owners of rental industries, including clothing, textile and cement.

“This year we added the solution of growing crops by saving electricity,” he said.

SK Md Rashedul Haque said the price of eco-friendly and energy-saving products is a bit high. As a result, many business owners cannot purchase this machine. The government should have the option of purchasing the machine in installments.

More than 10 booths of LED lighting companies were seen at the fair where different kinds of lights are exhibited.

The Indian company Bansal Moulders Pvt Ltd participated in the fair. Sudhir Bansal, the owner of this company, said: “India is now energy efficient. Many LED lamps are used in India. We are looking for a Bangladeshi partner. We want to jointly establish a factory in Bangladesh.

The Bangladesh Agricultural Development Corporation and the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority also highlighted the solar panel irrigation method.