10MW power from sea waves possible: Says expert

The country could generate 10-megawatt electricity from sea waves by using five sea points having four meters tidal range, an expert said yesterday.

M Abdul Matin Mondal, who has been working for sea waves for decades, told the news agency that the points are Poshur River, Mongla Hiron Point, the Bakkhali River, Sandwip channel and the Karnaphuli River.

Mondal, also project director of a government-funded venture, said entire Cox's Bazar district could be brought under the green energy to be generated from the wave of the coastal waters in Cox's Bazar district.

The project titled Electricity Generation from Sea Wave is being implemented under National Oceanographic and Maritime Institute (NOAMI) with the financial support from the Ministry of Science and ICT.

He said, "We think the anticipated power production could be economically viable and have a plan to operate small electricity-run vehicles and charge mobile phone".

Quoting findings of a feasibility study on electricity generation from tide and wave, Mondal said the country has untapped potential 710 nautical miles coastal lines, which could be brought under sea wave power production.

The expert pleaded for the government support to expand the tidal wave power generation.

The NOAMI went on sea wave trial production of electricity at Kalatoli point of Cox's Bazar on June 27 this year. Six bulbs (AC) and as many ceiling fans were operated in presence of the locals from the sea wave during the event.

The country has the capacity to generate only one-MW wind power and 50-100 KW solar power, said a source in the Bangladesh Power Development Board.

Source : The Daily Star