No visible progress yet on clean, green energy from interim govt: TIB
Cancellation of IEPMP-2023 among 12 demands made by the think tank
The interim government has made no visible progress regarding clean and green energy over the past five months, said Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
"There have been no initiatives to move away from the dominance of fossil energy, which is worrisome," he said at a human chain organised by the TIB in front of the National Parliament today.
The human chain was part of a nationwide programme organised by TIB to celebrate International Clean Energy Day 2025.
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Iftekharuzzaman said, "We have seen the entire energy sector under the control of the fossil lobby over the past 15 years. They dominate the policy framework and laws. The energy master plan that has been made also prioritises fossil fuels. This master plan must be cancelled.
"The government has a plan to move to clean energy completely by 2050. We must prepare plans in order to do this. It's not just about talking on this one day; we need to speak and act for clean energy all year round," he added.
According to TIB, Bangladesh remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels despite national and international commitments to combat climate change and transition to renewable energy.
Even though electricity production has increased, only 4.65% of Bangladesh's energy mix consists of renewable energy, meaning the country still relies on fossil fuels for the remaining 95%, said the think tank at today's human chain event.
TIB has made 12 demands in the human chain programme, including immediate cancellation of the existing fossil fuel-dependent "Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP-2023)" and the creation and implementation of a new master plan based on the principle of reducing fossil fuel usage and increasing the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix.
TIB said necessary reforms are required to enhance the legal and institutional capabilities of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), allowing it to operate independently according to its mandate, including setting energy prices.
