The Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050 conference concluded on Friday with significant policy recommendations aimed at transforming the country’s energy sector.
Experts advocated for the implementation of a ‘No Electricity No Pay’ policy for renewable power plants to alleviate fiscal pressures, along with a reduction in import duties for renewable energy components to spur sectoral growth.
They also called for a comprehensive new energy master plan to prioritize renewable energy and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Held over three days at the BIAM Foundation, the conference brought together policymakers, energy specialists, environmentalists, and industry leaders to discuss critical challenges facing Bangladesh’s energy sector.
Among the concerns raised was the financial burden of capacity payments for idle power plants.
According to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), 41% of power plant capacity went unused last year, with the government paying over Tk26,000 crore in FY23 as capacity charges. Experts proposed the ‘No Electricity No Pay’ policy to curb these excessive expenditures and streamline costs.
The conference underscored the urgency of reducing import duties on renewable energy equipment, such as solar panels and batteries, to foster growth in both utility-scale and household solar energy projects.
Achieving the government’s target of 30% renewable energy by 2030 was deemed critical, requiring more favorable policies and investment incentives.
Professor Ijaz Hossain of BUET criticized the absence of a definitive net-zero target for Bangladesh, which he said hampers the promotion of renewable energy initiatives.
In response, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, stressed the need for inter-ministerial support to develop a realistic net-zero target aligned with the country’s commitments to reducing carbon emissions.
Call for a New Energy Master Plan
Transparency International Bangladesh’s Executive Director, Iftekharuzzaman, demanded the cancellation of the existing Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEPMP) in favor of a new strategy focused on renewable energy and decreased fossil fuel dependency.
He also highlighted the pressing need for greater transparency and accountability in the energy sector.
Zahidul Alam, Vice President of the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association, cautioned that without reduced import duties, the country would face challenges in meeting its renewable energy goals.
He urged the government to adopt policies encouraging investment in solar and other renewable energy sources.
Conference Declaration
The event concluded with a declaration presented by Hasan Mehedi, Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED).
The statement called for policy coherence and institutional reforms, effective financing mechanisms, enhanced regional and global cooperation for sustainable energy development, improved social and environmental governance in energy initiatives.
The conference was organized by BWGED in collaboration with CPD, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), Media Resources Development Initiative (MRDI), Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), ActionAid Bangladesh, and other organizations.
Nearly 400 participants from various sectors attended the event, underlining its significance in shaping Bangladesh’s energy future.
