What sort of role(s) has Mitsubishi Power been playing in solving the foremost energy challenges of our time, including decarbonizing energy and bringing renewable power to people all over the world?
We have been trying to create a future that works for people and the planet by developing innovative power generation technology and solutions to enable the decarbonization of energy and deliver reliable power everywhere, addressing the foremost energy challenges of our time.
As a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Group, Mitsubishi Power has committed itself to transforming energy systems around the world, by capitalizing on existing investments in emerging energy solutions, such as hydrogen and ammonia, to address the diverse and increasingly complex energy needs of customers around the world.
We have been aiming to become a leading energy solutions company with a broad spectrum of businesses in grid-level power generation, renewables, energy storage and digital technologies that will help such transition.
What has been its role in Bangladesh's energy ecosystem and what sort of solutions is the company currently offering?
Bangladesh was the first Asia Pacific country where Mitsubishi Power successfully delivered a steam turbine back in 1960.
Since then, we have remained committed to our mandate, and today, we are responsible for approximately 20% of Bangladesh's total energy production, providing state-of-the-art gas turbines to major power plants across the country.
These power plants utilize our highly efficient and reliable F-Series gas turbines and other world-class power generation equipment.
The power plants are complemented by after-sales and operations and maintenance (O&M) services and our suite of intelligent solutions, TOMONI® - all crucial to ensuring that plants remain efficient and support a constant supply of electricity across the country.
We play a pivotal role in Bangladesh's energy ecosystem through the delivery of electricity to the country with solutions like gas turbine combined cycle (GTCC) power plants, long-term maintenance services and TOMONI® HUB, our analytics and performance center.
Mitsubishi Power's gas turbines support Bangladesh's power grid at five power plants across the country.
The M701F gas turbine was installed in Haripur as the first large-class gas turbine in Bangladesh and one of the most efficient and reliable in the country since 2014.
These power plants are complemented by after-sales and operations and maintenance services to ensure that plants remain efficient and support a constant supply of electricity across the country.
How is it enabling energy security, and continued economic development for countries in the region as they transition to cleaner power sources?
At Mitsubishi Power, we realize the importance of clean and state power.
In that regard, we have close to 150 gas turbines in operation in Asia Pacific, helping to advance the communities in the region by delivering clean and reliable power.
Our state-of-the-art J-Series gas turbines have amassed over 1.7 million operating hours with industry-leading reliability. Incorporating the latest aerodynamics, cooling design and material technologies, they are designed to deliver consistent peak performance of over 64% efficiency.
Since we understand the role of hydrogen in the energy transition, we ensure that our gas turbines can accommodate up to 30% hydrogen and are set to achieve 100% hydrogen combustion verification by 2025 with commercialization to follow, enabling us to deliver reliable energy and reduce carbon emissions to meet the region's energy challenges.
The country has immense potential for growth, fuelled by progress in its power sector.
Together with our valued partners and customers, we are committed to supporting Bangladesh in realizing its energy needs and achieving net zero emissions.
Can the company address the diverse and increasingly complex energy needs of Bangladesh? How so?
Our commitment to Bangladesh has remained strong since 70 years ago - to provide reliable and stable power to serve the people in the country.
Bangladesh has started hydrogen-based power generation, which will play an important role in reducing carbon emissions.
We only hope that through this, Mitsubishi Power will play a special role in strengthening the partnership with the government towards achieving the country's energy needs and the goal of zero carbon emission.
As Bangladesh works toward decarbonization, we are excited to introduce the most efficient and environmentally friendly J-Series gas turbines along with cutting edge industry solutions that can support cleaner fuels such as hydrogen and ammonia.
It is with great anticipation that we continue to chart the future of energy in Bangladesh together with its people and communities.
Mitsubishi Power has been partnering with the government of Bangladesh for more than two decades, helping the country in achieving long-term power supply and we hope to play a further role in continuing just that, with our technologies and innovations that help the economy achieve its energy goals.
What sort of investments, in regards to energy, is the company planning for?
With a local office set up in 2019 to enable better collaboration, our team of professionals work closely with local power providers and communities to ensure reliable power delivery and drive the country's economic growth and industrial development.
We continue to deliver industry-leading technologies and form new local partnerships in support of Bangladesh's transition to cleaner energy and decarbonization while maintaining energy security, accessibility and affordability.
We are dedicated to creating ‘power to build a brighter Shonar Bangla.'
With regards to the Asia-Pacific region, we have committed ourselves to transform energy systems, by capitalizing on existing investments in emerging energy solutions, such as hydrogen and ammonia, to address the diverse and increasingly complex energy needs of customers in the region.
In your opinion, what sort of energy crisis is most imminent and what should be done to mitigate this?
There is no doubt, decarbonization and transitioning to cleaner energy sources is the biggest challenge of our time and the most important thing that needs to be ensured is the partnership across nations, sectors and industries to support transition to cleaner energy while maintaining energy security, accessibility and affordability; specially for countries like Bangladesh.
Transitioning to cleaner energy definitely will have some impact on the economy as industries anywhere in the world depend on energy for producing goods and services, but the technology is there to minimize system downtime and maximize asset value by achieving the highest levels of plant optimization.
For example, our next-gen ICT solutions boost operational efficacy and environmental performance of power plants through superior operation and maintenance (O&M) services, preventive maintenance and training and support for ensuring operational efficiency of power generation facilities.
How has the Russia-Ukraine war impacted the energy landscape globally as well as locally?
I would say, there has been an energy crisis created by the war, with many countries going back to depending on sources of energy such as coal or oil, because of the supply-demand disruption in energy.
But, what we have to realize is that the world was transitioning towards other sources of energy, mostly renewable, prior to the war; and that is what needs to be accelerated.
It's an opportunity for people to shift to undisrupted energy sources that are cleaner, especially for developing countries like Bangladesh.
But, it is also important that policy frameworks such as those suggested during the COP27 -- of developed nations funding the transition of decarbonization for developing nations -- are agreed upon and implemented, which would help accelerate that.