Interim govt working same as AL regime in energy sector: Anu Muhammad

What experts say: 

• LNG terminal financial burden falls on the people
• US company gets LNG deal without a tender
• Contracts made opaquely, like previous government
• Rampal power plant project continues despite concerns
• Need to focus on domestic gas exploration
• Coal plants negatively affect agriculture

The interim government is operating the energy sector in the same manner as the previous Awami League regime, said former professor of economics at Jahangirnagar University Anu Muhammad today (5 February). 

He came up with the remark while speaking at a seminar titled "Coal-fired power plants: What does experience say?", organised by Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) at Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU) in the capital.

Anu Muhammad further said, "The financial burden of the LNG terminal has now fallen on us, forcing the country into more debt."

Mentioning that the Bida chairman went to the Economic Forum a few days ago and signed a contract with a new US company to import LNG, he claimed the company has not done much work with LNG. 

"They have only managed to get the job by appointing lobbyists. This is not right in any way. This agreement is supposed to be with Petrobangla, but they don't even know about it," he added. 

During his speech, the former economics professor went on to question how the company was selected without any tender. 

"Now contracts are being made in the same manner as during the previous Sheikh Hasina-led government. So where is the change? These are the continuation of the previous government," he added. 

He further said, "We see no indication that the interim government plans to change the previous administration's policy on fuel and electricity. The current government said that the Indemnity Act will be repealed. They have repealed it. But it is written there that the exemption law will remain in force for the projects undertaken under this law."

"So what is the benefit? They do not want to cancel projects like Rampal. They have told us they will not stop actions that harm a world heritage site like the Sundarbans, even if it goes against the people. So where is the change?" he asked. 

Mentioning that Bangladesh must get out of its dependence on fuel imports, this professor said, "We now have to pay more attention to gas exploration in the country. At the same time, renewable energy production has to be increased. By adding these two, we can solve the fuel problem.

"By implementing this, the interim government can prove that they have been able to get out of the path of looting the electricity sector of the previous government."

During the seminar, MM Akash, professor of Economics at Dhaka University, said the net benefit should have been considered when building power plants. 

"Research suggests that gas-based power plants provide greater long-term net benefits than coal-based power plants. Importance should be given to collecting coal or other raw materials from domestic resources for power generation plants," he added. 

Presenting the keynote paper at the seminar, Nazrul Islam, vice president of BAPA, said agriculture is being affected in all areas where coal-fired power plants have been built. 

"Maheshkhali has been the most severely impacted. Bangladesh's power and energy policy has been misguided. Why do we need to import from other countries when we have our own production capacity?" he added.