Civil society has demanded cancellation of the interim government’s proposed 25-year Energy and Power Sector Master Plan 2025 (IEPMP 2025) calling it anti people and opaque. They made this demand through a protest program held at Shahbagh in the capital on Saturday (17 January 2025) afternoon. Citizen representatives alleged that the current government follows the path of opacity and isolationism, just like the previous authoritarian government, in formulating the plan. Organized by the Bangladesh Working Group for Environment and Development (BWGED), this program includes the Coastal Living and Environment Working Group (CLEAN), Amrai Agami, Ethical Trading Initiative Bangladesh (ETI Bangladesh), Re-Global, Souhardo Youth Foundation, Safety and Rights (SRS), Waterkeepers Bangladesh and Workers-led Climate Action Network (Worker Can) and some other organizations worked as Co-organizer. Speakers alleged that though this mega-plan said about Energy Transition, but in reality, the percentage of renewable energy is only 17%, compared to the 44% shown in paper. On the other hand, the plan proposed to increase capacity of gas-based power plant from 15.8 Gigawatt to 25.2 Gigawatt. After 25 years the country will still be dependent on LNG, coal and oil, which is a severe threat to our energy security. The representatives of civil society also mentioned that, according to the plan in 2050, carbon emission in Bangladesh would be 186.3 MtCO2e. This is completely contradictory to the ‘zero carbon’ or ‘three zeros’ philosophy proclaimed by the Chief Advisor, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus. In addition, the proposal to use expensive and experimental technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture would plunge the country into a new debt and subsidy crisis. The main demands raised from the protest program are:
- Immediately suspend and cancel the Energy and Power Sector Master Plan 2025 (IEPMP 2025).
- Initiate a new transparent and inclusive consultation process with the participation of experts and the public.
- Formulate a realistic roadmap for 100% renewable energy by reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
- Adopt new plans based on fair and environmentally friendly energy transition.
Citizen representatives warned that otherwise this plan would be marked in the history of Bangladesh as an opaque and anti-public interest document.
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