The 2nd BANGLADESH ENERGY PROSPERITY 2050 Conference was successfully held at BIAM Foundation, Dhaka from December 11 – 13, 2024. The three-day conference was organised by BWGED and co- organised by CPD along with 21 other co-organisers, highlighted the critical transition to renewable energy and the formulation of a sustainable power policy amid pressing global and domestic challenges. The conference featured an inaugural ceremony, a valedictory session, and 12 parallel sessions addressing five key thematic areas: Social and Environmental Considerations, Bilateral and Multilateral Cooperation, Financial Arrangements, Institutional Reform, and Policy Coherence.
The conference was attended by around 400 people from different sects and different corners of Bangladesh; 96 distinguished guests. The conference was attended by distinguished guests including advisers of the Interim Government of Bangladesh: Syeda Rizwana Hasan (Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change) who chaired the event, and Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan (Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources) who served as Chief Guest. Also in attendance were Dr. Mohammad Tamim, Professor at BUET, and Munawar Misbah Moin, Managing Director of Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited, who participated as Special Guests.
The welcome speech was delivered by Hasan Mehedi, Member Secretary of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), while the session concluded with a vote of thanks by Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Convener of BWGED. Moderation handled by Benojir Ahmed, Capacity Building Adviser at Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network, and Fahmida Hoque, Professor at Eden Mohila College. Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of CPD, delivered his solidarity speech along with Dipal Chandra Barua, Cynan Houghton, Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Lidy Nacpil and Abul Kalam Azad.
Adviser to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, the conference’s chief guest, stated, “We are revising the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) and reevaluating the renewable energy policy to align with sustainable development goals.” He also emphasised the government’s commitment to empowering the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to independently determine electricity tariffs and reduce dependency on independent power producers (IPPs).
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said Bangladesh’s energy future must focus on clean, affordable, and reliable systems while addressing climate change and energy equity. She mentioned that an opportunity for change has come in the energy sector. We need to find a way to achieve energy sovereignty. The government will continue to meet the demands of civil society, while there needs to be a dialogue on whether the energy policy should be revised or changed.
Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of CPD, in his solidarity speech put emphasis on necessity for revision of major policies, plans, laws and rules including IEPMP 2023 with a view to ensure energy transition in the country, ensuring scheduled phase out of fossil fuel based power plants, introducing competitive bidding process for public procurement, reassessing financial accounts of BPDB, BPC and PetroBangla and overall, institutional restructuring.
The conference featured twelve parallel sessions, each addressing crucial themes for Bangladesh’s energy future. In total 46 papers were presented in these sessions covering a range of topics, from policy coherence and institutional reforms to financial mechanisms and social inclusivity. CPD’s Senior Research Associate, Helen Mashiyat Preoty delivered a key- presentation on Reform Agenda for the Energy and Power Sector related Institutions from the lens of Just Energy transition.
The closing session of the BEP 2050 conference featured special guests, Professor Ijaz Hossain, Department of Chemical Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, Dr. Iftekharuzzaman Executive Director of Transparency International Bangladesh and Zahidul Alam Vice President, Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA), and Managing Director, Engreen Engineering Limited. Speeches addressing transparency, governance, and actionable solutions for Bangladesh’s energy transition were delivered in this session. A combined declaration was made public during the closing session. The declaration recognised the critical role of renewable energy, with a strong emphasis on transitioning from fossil fuels and integrating renewable energy sources into the national grid. It also highlighted the need for a clear, coordinated approach across various sectors and stakeholders.
