Bangladesh stands at a crossroads, facing a critical decision that could shape its energy future for decades. The draft Energy and Power Sector Master Plan (EPSMP) threatens to lock the country into a costly and carbon-intensive path, prioritizing fossil fuels over renewable energy. This alarming shift, according to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), is driven more by bureaucratic inertia and vested interests than by Bangladesh's long-term economic and environmental needs.
In a recent media briefing, CPD Research Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem sounded the alarm, calling for an immediate halt to the plan's formulation. He argued that the draft is fundamentally flawed, lacking public participation and failing to prioritize renewable energy as a core pillar of Bangladesh's future. Instead, it promotes domestic coal under the guise of 'resource optimization,' a move that raises serious questions about the plan's true motivations.
And this is the part most people miss: the plan proposes a staggering 60,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity capacity, a figure Moazzem deems grossly inflated. He argues that half this capacity would suffice to meet projected demand by 2040, considering Bangladesh's anticipated service-oriented, labor-intensive industrial growth. Overestimating demand, he warns, would exacerbate excess capacity and deepen financial strain on the power sector.
CPD's analysis suggests the EPSMP process should be suspended until after national elections, allowing an elected government to initiate a fresh, inclusive planning process. The think tank highlights the influence of foreign partners and domestic energy lobbies, particularly in pushing for expanded liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. Is Bangladesh's energy future being dictated by external interests rather than its own citizens' needs?
Helen Mashiyat Preoty, CPD senior research associate, further criticized the draft's neglect of grid modernization. The plan delays smart grid implementation until 2040, despite the existing grid's limited capacity to handle more than 20% variable renewable energy. This, she argues, undermines the integration of renewable sources like solar and wind, which are crucial for a sustainable energy transition.
The plan's renewed focus on fossil fuels, particularly coal and LNG, is particularly concerning. Expanding coal-based power generation from 6.8GW to 12.9GW and prioritizing new LNG terminals are costly investments that jeopardize long-term energy security, Preoty warned. Should Bangladesh prioritize short-term energy gains over long-term sustainability and environmental health?
CPD recommends a radical shift: scrapping new coal-fired power plants, phasing out existing coal capacity, halting new LNG terminal projects, and redirecting investments towards domestic gas exploration and renewable energy. They advocate for a redefined approach to renewables, focusing on proven technologies like solar and wind, prioritizing high-potential regions like Chattogram, and exploring regional renewable energy trade, including imports from Nepal and Bhutan, an aspect largely overlooked in the draft.
This debate is far from over. Does Bangladesh have the courage to break free from the fossil fuel trap and embrace a truly sustainable energy future? The choices made today will determine the country's energy security, economic prosperity, and environmental well-being for generations to come. Let's engage in this crucial discussion and shape a future powered by clean, affordable, and sustainable energy for all Bangladeshis.
