Won't be easy to cancel power contracts: Rizwana
40 power plants being constructed to generate electricity from renewable energy, said Energy Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan
Cancelling power contracts signed during the Awami League regime will be a difficult task with many challenges, Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said today (11 December).
Speaking at the second "Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050" conference in Dhaka, the environment, forest and climate change adviser said such cancellations could prove to be very expensive.
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"Cancelling contracts is not easy. Bangladesh had to deal at the international level to cancel the Niko contract. But the interim government has taken up that challenge. The [power] deals are currently under review," Rizwana said.
Referring to other speakers at the conference, the adviser said many have spoken about the controversial power contracts signed during the previous government's rule.
"The government still has to bear the burden of loans for many of those projects even after implementation. We are having to pay even as those projects remain idle. At the same time, there is also a pressure on energy conversion. [We] are having to take responsibility for unequal contracts made at abnormal costs. The government is taking a lot of time to do damage control."
Replying to questions at the conference, the environment adviser said there are solar panels on the roofs of residential buildings in Dhaka.
"No one is checking whether those are working or not."
On land acquired for different projects, she said, "The law does not allow the land acquired for various projects to be returned to the original owners. However, the acquired unused land can be utilised by generating electricity from renewable energy or by afforestation."
She also pointed out that no one at the conference spoke about conserving energy.
Also speaking at the event, Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan criticised the ousted AL regime for creating opportunities for corruption in the energy sector.
"Forty power plants are being constructed to generate electricity from renewable energy. Initially, tenders are being invited for 10. The remaining tenders will be invited step by step. The integrated master plan of the power and energy sector will be prepared anew. Apart from this, initiatives are being taken to build solar power equipment factories in the country."
