Bangladesh is moving towards a sustainable power policy

The primary goal of the former government in the power and energy sector seemed to be enabling corruption rather than achieving sustainable development, said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the Ministry of Power, energy and mineral resources.

However, the current interim government is eliminating those practices that enable corruption and moving towards achieving a sustainable power policy and practice.

"We have restored the Energy Regulatory Commission's (BERC) power to fix electricity tariffs. We are also revising the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) and reevaluating the renewable energy policy", said Fouzul Kabir Khan.

"We are also moving away from independent power producers (IPPs) and implementing a more sustainable power policy," he added.

The adviser addressed the Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050 conference today at the BIAM Foundation as the chief guest. He inaugurated the three-day conference, which will conclude on Friday.

The inaugural session was chaired by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. She said, "Bangladesh faces significant challenges in achieving energy prosperity, compounded by unequal power deals and ongoing crises. Energy accessibility remains a pressing issue, with persistent gaps in quality, affordability, and transparency."

"Meeting the 40% renewable energy target by 2041 requires clear policies, strong private-sector engagement, and a shift from energy production to conservation. She added that ensuring reliable power for industries, adopting subsidised renewable energy for energy-intensive sectors, and repurposing power plant land for solar or other renewable projects could accelerate the transition".

The Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050 conference unites 300 national and international representatives, including policymakers, energy experts, development partners, private sector investors and financiers, civil society organisations and youth for an impactful three-day event. Building on the success of its first 2023 edition, this year's conference features 23 co-organizers dedicated to advancing the shift towards renewable energy, powering prosperity through a collaborative approach to sustainable development.

The Inaugural session also featured Special Guests, including Dr. Mohammad Tamim, Professor, Department of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineering, BUET, and Munawar Misbah Moin, Managing Director, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited (RREL). Additionally, Dipal Chandra Barua, Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Cynan Houghtan, Shahriar A. Chowdhury, Lidy Nacpil, Abul Kalam Azad delivered their solidarity messages.

Cynan Houghton, Deputy Regional Program Director, Tara Climate Foundation, mentioned, "We must work together to drive a renewable energy transition that reshapes the political landscape and strengthens the interim government's policies to unlock Bangladesh's renewable energy potential. Countries like Vietnam, South Africa, Pakistan, and China have achieved extraordinary progress in the energy sector, even under challenging circumstances—transformations that took months, not years. These successes show what is possible with collective effort and commitment.

Lidy Nacpil, Coordinator of the Asian Peoples Movement for Debt and Development (APMDD), mentioned that the greater challenge lies in transforming the fossil fuel-based economic system. We all share a common struggle to transform the energy system.  

The special guest was Dr Mohammad Tamim, Professor, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET), who mentioned that replacing fossil fuel-based power plants with solar could save 4000-5000 MW during summer, while energy efficiency measures could cut electricity use by 30-40%.

Hasan Mehedi, Member Secretary of Bangladesh Working on Ecology and Development, welcomed the high-level panelists, delegates, and participants with his welcome speech, which focused on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The conference promises enriched participation, diverse perspectives, and strategic dialogues to drive change. The conference focuses on five key themes: (i) Policy Coherence, (ii) Institutional Reform, (iii) Financial Mechanism, (iv) Bilateral & Multilateral Cooperation, and (v) Social and Environmental Considerations.

Additionally, two parallel sessions took place in the conference, focusing on the critical themes of Policy Coherence in the Energy and power Sector for Green Transition and Institutional Reform for Just and Green Transition in Bangladesh. The conference runs until December 13, 2024, with the aim of driving cohesive actions for a green and just transition in shaping a sustainable energy future in Bangladesh.