As the recognition of the state of Palestine comes into vogue by the West lets not forget much of the rest of the world has done so already. Much of this in response to the appalling daily killings occurring now in Gaza as well as assaults of Palestinians on the West Bank with famine clearly on the horizon as well. This has been long withheld by the British government, and even during the recent talk about it all, the Labour government has been not keen at all going along with this as other European nations are doing so now. Its a key step towards the two state solution yet only happening now as the very existence of Palestinian people is under threat. 

Some of us have of course been here already. It was during the London Olympics of 2012, l hosted the Palestinian Olympic Team with the Palestinian community in London for a reception at City Hall and giving them some recognition that they were not getting at the time. I cottoned onto this quite early on and duly got them this prize in 2012 whilst the Olympics was happening, by hosting this event along with International Arab Charity (IAC). After all that is all they were after, some sort of recognition of the state of Palestine. 

So while the drive for recognition of Palestine grows in Europe, l can say that along with the rest of the world we have given them this for their cause already sometime ago on the 13th anniversary of the event today. I also dare not ask what the fate of the Palestinian athletics in 2012 has been since particularly during the past few years in Gaza and the West Bank.  

In recent times we have heard about the big payment settlements between the Bangladesh government due to Adani Power where the govt paid $437 million to clear all outstanding dues including interest and other interests. This reliance on private energy supplies from India is to be maintained into the foreseeable future as the government has asked them to keep 800 MW units at the Godda plant running as needed, whilst a letter of credit has been provided  as sovereign guarantee to ensure timely future payment under the power purchase agreement. This while we know of Bangladesh’s abundance of solar on land and wind power in the Bay of Bengal, as well its gas reserves.  This while the Interim government reforms report update, tells us its renewable energy policy initiative is an on going policy review process, whilst also cancelling all 31 letters of intent for renewable energy from the last government. 

Here’s now is a basic overview of Bangladesh’s energy consumption by source from 2000 through 2022, based on the latest available official data:

Total Final Energy Consumption (Petajoules – PJ)

Based on IAEA/RDS‑1 and UN/OECD data (www-pub.iaea.org, www-pub.iaea.org):

This tell us that the overall energy consumption grew at approx 4.4 % annually from 2000 to 2020 (www-pub.iaea.org, www-pub.iaea.org), with natural gas useage rising 5.8 % annually (149PJ in 2020 to 458 PJ in 2020); coal consumption surged the most rapidly by 15% per annum (14PJ in 2000 to 229PJ in 2020) while Bioenergy & waste remained relatively stable in volume (~313 PJ to ~383 PJ), but its share declined (www-pub.iaea.org, www-pub.iaea.org).

As for the electricity generation and fuel mix, the total electricity generation rose from 14.9 TWh in 2000 to 87 TWh in 2021, a growth of nearly 486 % over the period (database.earth). Fossil fuels share remained much the same with natural gas at 88.8 % in 2000 and 55 % in 2021 while both oil/furnace oil and diesel raising to 27 % in 2021 from 6-7 % in 2020. Coal rose from 0 % in 2000 to 6-7 % in 2021 whilst hydro and other renewables were barely 1 % if that at all (www-pub.iaea.org, PMC, Wikipedia).

Summary & Trends

So in summary, there was a rapid increase in energy demand – nearly tripled between 2000 and 2020. Natural gas dominated  as consistently the main commercial energy source, though its share is declining. Coal’s had the fastest raising share from negligible levels in 2000 to approx 15 % of total energy consumption by 2020, and approx 21 % of electricity by 2023. All this while bioenergy use was stagnant  as the volume was stable but declining in share. Electricity generation surged with fossil fuels comprising 98–99 %, while renewables (hydro, solar, wind) remain under-developed. So clean energy remains tiny – solar and hydro make up barely ~2 % of electricity, with wind even lower; coal and oil have gained share in recent years (www-pub.iaea.org).

Furthermore, natural gas shortages caused by the depletion of domestic reserves have forced reliance on LNG imports and coal-fired power expansion (Reddit, Reddit) with LNG import infrastructure such as floating terminals at Cox’s Bazar is under expansion to fill supply gaps (Wikipedia). Renewable energy policies aim to scale up solar, wind, biomass and nuclear expansion at the Rooppur nuclear plant, but rollout so far remains very modest (Wikipedia) indeed. 

Final Thoughts

Bangladesh’s energy consumption profile since 2000 reflects explosive growth in demand and a heavy reliance on natural gas and oil, with coal rapidly climbing in importance. Traditional biomass continues to serve rural needs but is increasingly overshadowed by commercial fuels. Despite policy ambition, renewable and nuclear energy remain marginal, and fossil dominance continues to deepen with clear energy security implications and balance of trade and payments impacts as well when we are in a middle of a global energy crisis. As for net zero targets and reducing the carbon footprint of energy use during an economy in transition, are clearly not seen as a priority as a country that is seen as a victim of global warming. That said providing homes both rural and urban with their own solar power sources would help not needing to build an extensive grid across the country but also enhance access to energy to all.

When l say the sign along Paddington St, l thought to myself is this the return of “curry and a pint” culture at a local Indian offering a pint for £3 pounds ( Cobra or Kingfisher on draft) ? In the eighties this could have been be read as having as many pints that you can have after 10pm with a quick curry! Have we returned to those times again l wondered to myself. Surely not in posh Marylebone as well. 

Well if you heard Ruhul the owner of the Ruhul Marylebone establishment talk in the local press both in a food review and column piece, you would be forgiven for thinking he’s setting a new trend here altogether where he urges locals drinkers not to be mugged by the price of beer today! Clearly an opening gambit to get the customers into his establishment, as he suggest the price of drinks keeps customers away from eating out more often. He also suggests Marylebone needs something like this but l’m not sure Portman Estate will be keen on this at all, after all the years they have spent promoting this part of Marylebone as a posh village!  For myself its a straight return of the culture of curry and pint, which l thought the majority of the curry industry had moved on and away from some years ago as the focus now is the food that is offered. That is certainly the impression one gets when you attend many of the Curry Awards, where the Indian restaurants very proudly show off their dishes and all round offer. Against a lot more competition as well particularly in Central London with many other cuisines on offer, this is a keenly fought battle with atalian, Chinese, Thai, Vietemese establishments. 

I also understand from local publicans in Marylebone he will still be making money on the beers at about £1-1.50 a pint even before the food arrives on the table.  I makes me wonder if this is at all happening in other parts of the country and London as well. furthermore, beers at these prices, will it encourage heavy drinking like the old days? Or has this sub-culture been dropped altogether for a much better appreciation of the food now on offer. I certainly hope so for the sake of the staff serving them at least. 

So the British culture of a curry and pint, does not seen to be dying in this rather posh part of Marylebone. Will this herald its return in this financially restrained times? Only time will tell whether this entrepreuer, Ruhul’s marketing ploy can pull it off.  In the meantime, best of luck with those bringing back the “curry & pint” culture to Marylebone. 

Now many of my fellow local residents have noticed how we get frequented by sea gulls in the neighbourhood. They often pick away at the rubbish we put out on our streets in the morning and even attack other birds, as the photo shows quite clearly above. 

Some say its because we have plenty of fishmongers along Church St market who throw their fish cuttings out on the street. Which must make for easy catches for sea gulls flying over Paddington and Marylebone.  Whatever the explanation, it’s clear seagulls have adapted around us and become “city gulls” to all intents and purposes. Not unlike our foxes, who we increasingly find in the City. In our case, we have plenty around Marylebone Railway station. 

What clear to us that they have become a menace to all but it’s not clear who’s responsibility is their behaviour. Clearly not the dustman who clear up their mess afterwards along our street but maybe we need to start with our fishmongers along Church St market not throwing their cuttings out on the street. 

Normally in Paddington, in private developments and Mansion blocks we have disputes between leaseholders and their Management Committees over the level of service charges in their blocks for annual services and major repairs but this is the first time l have come across a dispute between the staff and the management agents of the blocks themselves.

On Tuesday morning as l cycled along Praed St, l come across a picket line over a dispute between cleaners and concierge staff and their management company at West End Quay organised by UVW which l hope the residents, leaseholders and neighbourhood take note.

Striking is always a last resort for staff as it involves a financial sacrifice but with a a complete breakdown of negotiations and deterioration of industrial relations, it is not surprising in this instance. The dispute covers a whole range of issues including inflation-linked pay; unconditional harmonisation of leave and sick pay; full withdrawal of performance related pay(PRP); cctv monitoring; disciplinary hearing reform and review of standard operational procedures. 

It makes me realise that even in disputes on Mansion blocks occupants with their management agents as we have plenty of them in W2 & W9, there will undoubtedly be a labour dispute in the background as well. And well done to United Voice of Workers, the new kids on the Union block for representing low paid, migrant and precarious workers. 

Lest we forget – 7th July bombings victims at my local tube station, the Edgware Rd, on the 20th anniversary. I can well remember how the victims who survived walking to St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington when l got there on the day. They hit Londoners hard after we had won the Olympic nomination to host the Olympics the following day – illustrating the ups and downs of being Londoners. 

Also as we commemorate the deaths of Londoners on 7/7 bombings, l for one can not forget Ken Livingstone response from Singapore at a critical time for London. It’s probably the most brilliant speech a Mayor of London will have to ever make and let’s hope there is never a need for someone to do so again.

Last week Climate Change Committee advisors tells us ​​​​​​​to make electricity cheaper for consumers, so who has the best solution for this? Well we have two titans of the energy sector in the UK fighting over this one. In one corner, we have Greg Jackson, CEO of Octopus arguing for zoning pricing. In the other corner, we have another British green energy industrialist, Dale Vince who is the owner of the electricity company Ecotricity advocating breaking the link between gas prices and renewable energy. 

Dale Vince, argues that high UK energy prices are due to the current market mechanism that links the price of all electricity, including that from renewables, to the global price of fossil gas. He advocates for “breaking the link” between gas prices and renewable energy, believing it would lower energy bills. Vince argues that the current UK electricity market mechanism sets the price of all electricity based on the most expensive source, which is often imported fossil gas. This means even when wind and solar are abundant and cheap, the price is still tied to gas, leading to higher bills. Vince proposes “breaking the link” by ensuring that renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, are priced separately from gas, allowing their cheaper prices to be reflected in consumer bills. By separating the pricing, Vince believes it would lower energy bills for consumers, make green energy more competitive, and help the UK achieve its net-zero targets.

Interestingly the House of Lords backs “zoning pricing” in a power market shake up whilst the CBI urges government to tackle energy costs as firms face £24 billion in extra costs and in particular the removal of policy costs (such as those related to net zero initiatives) from electricity bills, suggesting that these costs be funded through alternative mechanisms, such as general taxation.  So watch this critical battle, being played out over the summer.