Progressive activists demand 16 reforms in power and energy sector

The Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), a forum of progressive activists and organisations, has demanded 16 key reforms in the power and energy sector.

The reform proposal includes the formation of an independent public inquiry commission to combat corruption, safeguard the environment, and address climate change risks.

The recommendations were presented at a press conference titled "Reform in Power and Energy Sector: Citizens' Expectations," held at the Dhaka Reporters' Unity today (12 September).

Speaking at the event, Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said there has been a longstanding reluctance to adopt knowledge-based policies. 

"It's time to prioritise knowledge in policy-making. A powerful clique has taken control of the energy and power sector, and it must be dismantled. While past laws served individual or group interests, future laws must focus on public welfare and be based on scientific evidence," he said.

Energy expert and BWGED secretary Hasan Mehedi, while presenting the keynote, said the sector has been crippled by the previous government's misguided policies, corruption, political favoritism, and mismanagement. 

"The sector, which was supposed to be a strong asset for the state, has now become a burden," Mehedi noted.

He also criticised the lack of progress in reducing dependence on fossil fuels, citing that gas-based power plants operate only 49.3% of the time, while remaining idle for the other 51%. 

"Despite this inefficiency, new LNG-based power plants are still being approved, which is completely unacceptable. It's time to halt these failed projects and focus on sustainable and renewable energy," Mehedi added.

The demands from the group are the immediate repeal of the Special Provisions Act 2010 for quick power and energy supply; forming an independent inquiry commission; making Initial Environmental Examinations (IEE) and Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) mandatory and public; bringing fossil-fuel-based power plants under a "no electricity, no pay" policy; cancelling all fossil-fuel projects that are approved but not yet under construction, and stopping the construction of new LNG terminals.

Other demands include adopting a renewable energy master plan, increasing the budget for renewable energy to Tk500 crore, elevating the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority to an independent division, and exempting import duties and VAT on renewable energy equipment.

Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, director of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies at Stamford University and Munir Uddin Shamim, senior manager of the Ethical Trading Initiative, spoke at the event.