1ST CONFERENCE ON
BANGLADESH ENERGY PROSPERITY 2050
27 - 29 April 2023 | Thursday - Saturday
Venue: Bangabandhu Military Museum
Bijoy Sarani, Dhaka
The first Conference on Bangladesh Energy Prosperity 2050 was organized from 27-29 April 2023 at the Bangabandhu Military Museum, Dhaka. Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED), Climate Parliament Bangladesh and the Earth Society organized the conference in collaboration with ActionAid Bangladesh, Bright Green Energy Foundation (BGEF), Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Change Initiative, Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN), Participatory Research and Action Network (PRAAN), Solis Power and Energy (SPEL) and Waterkeepers Bangladesh.
PHOTO GALLARY
1st Conference of BEP 2050: Inauguration Day
Dhaka, Bangladesh
1st Conference of BEP 2050: 2nd Day
Dhaka, Bangladesh
1st Conference of BEP 2050: Closing Day
Dhaka, Bangladesh
VIDEO GALLARY
OBJECTIVES
Broad Objective
To create an open space for dialogue that will obtain Bangladesh’s maximum energy prosperity through harmonized national plans, affordable energy mix, financial and institutional arrangements, regional and global cooperation, and human development.
Specific Objectives
1. To create an open space for state and non-state actors’ expertise, ideas and recommendations for Bangladesh's long-term Energy and Power Sector related plan;
2. To provide a platform to elevate the many voices calling for long-term energy security and sovereignty; and
3. To devise a position paper for a just, green, and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh.
THEMATIC AREAS
In addition to the inauguration and a valedictory closing session,
there will be the following parallel sessions at the conference.
Harmonized National Plans on Energy and Power
Article-16 of the Bangladesh Constitution calls for radical transformation through rural electrification. Article-18A establishes environmental protection and improvement for present and future generations. These two Articles should guide the State in the energy sector. Functionally, Vision 2041, Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2021-2041 (PP2041), and Eighth Five Year Plan 2020-2025 (8FYP) provide a rapid energy transition direction. The 8FYP set an ambitious target of achieving 10% of total power generation capacity from RE by 2025. Better alignment is needed between the 8FYP and the Annual Budgets, which have not provided adequate investment in RE yet. In addition to the Constitutional directives and four-tiered national vertical policy framework, there are a set of horizontal sectoral policy documents to guide intra- and inter-ministerial functions around energy and power, e.g., Renewable Energy Policy of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan, draft National Solar Energy Roadmap 2021-2041 and draft Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP). Bangladesh also submitted its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2021 as part of international obligations. It has also signed the Declaration of the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF). Better harmonization is needed among policy instruments with more aligned objectives and strategies around energy and power. Policy coherence must be applied to the country's energy and power, such that the new IEPMP is based on Constitutional directives as well as on the MCPP that plans for 30%, 40%, and 100% RE in energy mix by 2030, 2041, and 2050 respectively.
Energy Mix and Just Transition in Bangladesh
As Renewable Energy (RE) generation technology costs drop and are more available, many countries have seized the opportunity to diversify their energy mix and implement just transitions. The adoption rates vary significantly from one country to another. Twelve countries that prioritized and fast-tracked renewable energy have achieved more than 90% RE in the energy mix. Fossil fuels account for over 90% of Bangladesh’s energy mix, although renewables are increasing faster than earlier. According to the BPDB Annual Report, fossil gas dominates with 55.1% of power generation, followed by furnace oil (26.7%), coal (6.2%), and diesel (1.7%). Bangladesh’s energy mix will begin an urgently needed just transition when the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) targets of 30% RE in the energy mix by 2030, 40% by 2041, and 100% by 2050 are met. Adequate budgeting for the Eighth Five-Year Plan (8FYP) goal of 10% of RE by 2025 would jump-start the process and set Bangladesh on the path to greater energy sovereignty. Bangladesh has vast potential to implement RE to meet its energy demands. The draft National Solar Energy Roadmap has estimated that 25,000-40,000 MW capacity of solar power plant could be installed by 2041. The National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) has projected that Bangladesh has the potential to install 30,000 MW wind-based power plants as well. Unfortunately, the IEPMP fails to create a roadmap that will achieve renewable energy goals, diversify the energy mix and move forward with a just transition. Just Transition is also related to community access to and control over green and clean energy. Distributed and inter- and intra-connected community grids with social ownership can benefit the country, reducing import costs of fossil fuels and generating maximum new employment. Installing rapid renewable power systems is also vital to reduce the emission.
Financial & Institutional Arrangements
Financial resources - investments, grants & loans - are crucial for implementing national Renewable Energy (RE) goals. In addition to facilities provided by the Bangladesh Bank and scheduled banks, the Government has formed the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) and Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited (BIFFL) to mobilize finance for low-carbon projects in Bangladesh. Bilateral and Multilateral partners can also finance RE projects. However, the allocation for RE is still below 3% because these new resources have not been fully utilized. More financing for RE projects and Feed-in-tariff (FIT) is necessary for the rapid energy transition. The Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan (MCPP) states that an approximate investment of USD 80 billion by 2030 is required to implement the plan. BPDB is the largest power producer and sole buyer of the generated electricity. It is also the sole transmission authority through the Power Grid Company of Bangladesh (PGCB) and the most extensive distribution network (except Dhaka city). Lack of oversight and good governance, including transparency and accountability, have resulted in excessive economic losses at these entities. One-sided long-term Power Purchase Agreements (PPA) that pay power producers even when they do not produce power are economically destabilizing. Better oversight and more balanced power purchase agreements are needed. The Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA) was formed to promote RE and Energy Efficiency, but its capacity and power is very limited. It needs to be fully empowered to achieve renewable energy targets. The formation of the One-stop Service Centers (OSSC) for RE and a Renewable Energy Division (RED) are essential to achieve the targets of the MCPP.
Bilateral & Multilateral Cooperation
Bangladesh receives bilateral grants and loans from 31 major countries in the World. Japan tops the list, followed by Russia, China, India, the UK, the USA, Germany, and the European Union. Bangladesh also receives project grants and loans from 11 multilateral institutions, including Multilateral Development Bank (MDB) and the UN system. The World Bank tops the list, followed by ADB, AIIB, ISDB, IFAD, and EIB. Bangladesh is among the highest loan recipients of ADB and AIIB. Recently, Bangladesh joined the New Development Bank (NDB) as a new member country. Japan and China are the biggest financiers of fossil fuel-powered energy infrastructure in Bangladesh, while US-based companies supply the highest number of boilers, turbines, and thermal engines. Among the MDBs, the World Bank is the highest fossil fuel investor, followed by ADB, AIIB and ISDB. These countries and institutions are ethically responsible for supporting Bangladesh's rapid energy transition. China is the largest domestic and external investor in Renewables, while India generates the world’s cheapest solar energy. Germany, Italy, South Korea, and the US manufacture the world's best solar and wind equipment. These countries can support Bangladesh with their technology, finance, and technical expertise. Bangladesh is a strong voice for global climate-vulnerable countries (i.e., CVF, V20, and G77+China). It is also a prominent member of SAARC and BIMSTEC. The key for Bangladesh is to elevate renewable energy funding as a top priority over any further funding of carbon-based energy generation. Bangladesh must be strong enough to say to its development partners that it prefers renewable energy development over all other forms of energy development.
Environmental & Social Issues
Article-18A of the Constitution of Bangladesh provides for the protection and improvement of the environment and the preservation of natural resources, biodiversity, wetlands, forests, and wildlife for the present and future generations. The constitution also guarantees fundamental human rights, including peasants' and workers' rights, the right to information, means of production and distribution, the cultural standard of living, and public health. Several examples exist where constitutional protections for energy sector workers on sites managed by foreign entities have not been met. Limiting pollution and protecting the local environment is required under the Environmental Conservation Act 1995 and subsequent rules. Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) are obligatory for energy-related projects. However, in most cases, the EIAs for energy projects were found to be biased and incomplete at best. In some cases, they were not even disclosed to the communities. Under the 2017 Acquisition and Requisition of Immovable Property Act, landowners are entitled to get three times more than the market price if a private company acquires the land. However, there is no provision for rehabilitation and resettlement in the Act, leaving people homeless. There have been many examples of corrupt land acquisition processes for energy projects. Grabbing and polluting common properties, including rivers, canals, forests, orchards, and playgrounds, are also common, even by the RE besides fossil fuel projects according to the National River Conservation Commission (NRCC). All energy projects must adhere to and enforce Bangladesh’s constitutional and legal requirements. Comprehensive and timely information disclosure, proper rehabilitation, and resettlement with the protection of the livelihoods of the affected communities are vital. Ensuring workers’ rights and green tax for excessive pollution and carbon emission is necessary for a just and equitable green transition in Bangladesh.
SUMMARY SCHEDULE
Day 1
27 April 2023, Thursday
10:00-12:30
Inaugural Program
Inauguration of the Conference
Multipurpose Hall
14:00-16:30
Plenary Session I
IEPMP and Policy Coherence
Multipurpose Hall
Day 2
28 April 2023, Friday
09:00-11:00
Parallel Session 1
Review of the Fossil Fuel Power System
Multipurpose Hall
11:30-13:30
Parallel Session 3
Inauguration of the Conference
Multipurpose Hall
15:00-17:00
Parallel Session 5
Inauguration of the Conference
Multipurpose Hall
Parallel Session 2
LNG and Advance Technologies
Seminar Hall
Parallel Session 4
Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation
Seminar Hall
Parallel Session 6
Financial and Institutional Arrangement
Seminar Hall
Day 3
29 April 2023, Saturday
10:00-12:30
Plenary Session II
Just and Equitable Transition:
Pathways and Fact Check
Multipurpose Hall
14:00-16:30
Closing Program
Declaration of
Bangladesh Energy Prosperity
Multipurpose Hall
BEP 2050: SESSIONS
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE 2023
Mohammad Mamun Mia
Joint Secretary
Mohammad Shamsuddoha
Member
Dipal Chandra Barua
Member
Hasan Mehedi
Member Secretary
Khondaker Golam Moazzem
Member
Hasanul Haq Inu
Co-convener
Nurul Alam Masud
Member
Sharif Jamil
Member
Saber Hossain Chowdhury
Co-convener
M. Zakir Hossain Khan
Member
Ziaul Hoque Mukta
Member
Abul Kalam Azad
Member
Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury
Member
DRAFTING TEAM 2023
Monower Mostafa
Convener
Khondaker Golam Moazzem
Member
Ziaul Hoque Mukta
Member
Mohammad Shamsuddoha
Member
Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury
Member
Hasan Mehedi
Member Secretary
Sharif Jamil
Member
RECEPTION TEAM 2023
Abul Kalam Azad
Convener
Helen Mashiyat Preoty
Member
Vidya Dinker
Member
Sezina Khan Shukanya
Member
Nurul Alam Masud
Member
Mohammad Mamun Mia
Member Secretary
Simran Nova Siddique
Member
LOGISTIC TEAM 2023
Mahbub Alam Prince
Convener
Abdullah Fahad
Member
Bahlul Alam
Member
Monoarul Islam Mubin
Member
Hamidul Islam
Member
Sarmin Akter Bristy
Member
Dewan Nurtaj Alam
Member
Mosleh Uddin Suchok
Member Secretary
Mizanur Rahman
Member