By the year 2030, the use of fossil fuels (oil, gas, and coal) for electricity generation is expected to decrease by around 27% to 30%. During this time, there could be an increase in sustainable energy sources for electricity production. This transformation of the energy sector in Bangladesh can play a significant role in creating new employment opportunities.
These findings were presented in an article titled “Transformation of Fossil Fuels in Bangladesh: Employment and Skills” by the private research organization, the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD). This article was presented during a discussion held by CPD at the BRAC Center in the capital city on Thursday. It is mentioned in the article that by 2030, the shift from non-renewable energy sources to electricity production could create job opportunities for 9,300 to 28,626 people.
The article states that the energy sector heavily depends on fossil fuels. About 95% of the energy is derived from fossil fuels. The infrastructure, workforce, and institutions in the energy sector are heavily reliant on non-renewable sources. However, in developed and developing countries, there is a transition taking place in the energy sector. There is a decrease in the use of fossil fuels and an increase in sustainable energy sources.
The transformation of the energy sector and the workforce is proposed in the article. This includes investments in workforce creation, policy development, accreditation of academic courses, and support for local producers. This transformation is expected to reduce the workforce in the fossil fuel sector and create new opportunities in sustainable energy.
The article presents nine recommendations for the transformation and workforce development. These recommendations include investing in workforce development, creating effective policies, accrediting academic courses, and supporting local producers. The article was presented by Dr. Khondkar Golam Moazzem, Senior Research Director of CPD.
Additional comments were made during the seminar by Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Employment, Fahmida Akhtar, the former Vice-Chancellor of BUET, Prof. Ijaz Hossain, and Humayun Rashid, President of the International Business Forum of Bangladesh.
