Dec 8, 2025
| Staff Reporter
Experts have urged the urgent revision of the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) to increase the share of renewable energy in Bangladesh’s energy mix. The call came during the inauguration of the 3rd Bangladesh Energy Conference 2025, held 6 December 2025 at the Bangladesh Military Museum in Dhaka. The event was inaugurated by Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, as the chief guest.
Speaking at the event, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that energy transition is a long-term process. “We have initiated multiple policies and programs to expand renewable energy, and these efforts are ongoing. The priority should not just be setting targets but achieving them. In the past, ambitious targets were set, but renewable electricity generation remained minimal. Therefore, a realistic and implementable roadmap is crucial. We have also launched a program to install solar panels on the rooftops of all government buildings, which is progressing rapidly,” she said.
The three-day conference, held from 6–8 December, brings together policymakers, experts, researchers, and civil society representatives to discuss Bangladesh’s current energy challenges, potential opportunities, and future energy transition pathways.
The inauguration was hosted by Monowar Mostafa, Executive Member of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), and chaired by Professor Kazi Maruful Islam, Coordinator of BWGED. Kazi Maruful Islam said the need to keep energy transition a key priority in upcoming electoral commitments.
Dr. Khandakar Golam Moazzem, Research Director at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said, “Effective energy transition requires the integration of technical knowledge, sound policies, and skilled human resources. Reducing reliance on foreign consultants and building institutional capacity while ensuring domestic ownership of policy implementation is now an urgent priority.”
Professor Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Chairman of the Centre for Renewable Energy Services Limited, noted, “The government spends $4 billion annually on electricity subsidies. Allocating even half of this to renewable energy could transform the sector. Current electricity policies are not renewable-friendly, slowing progress. These issues must be prioritized in the IEPMP and aligned with domestic expert recommendations for broader acceptance.”
Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) Executive Director Iftekharuzzaman stressed, “Energy sector malpractices, including policy-level crimes, occurred under previous governments. Master plans prepared by foreign consultants like JICA never protect the interests of renewable energy. Greater involvement of local experts in planning is essential.”
Advocate Shimonuzzaman, Research Director of LEAD Bangladesh, added, “Legal transparency and accountability are critical for just energy transition. Beyond technology, public participation and protection of the rights of marginalized communities must be equally prioritized.”
Banshree Mitra Niyogi from Manusher Jonno Foundation said, “The voices of marginalized communities should be central to equitable energy transition. Women’s participation and allocation in the energy sector must be clearly defined and supported.”
Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in its energy sector. Since the first Bangladesh Energy Conference in April 2023, the country has made notable progress in policy, renewable energy investment, technology adoption, public participation, and climate risk management. The second conference in December 2024 saw over 400 participants. Key achievements in the past year include a halt on approvals for new fossil-fuel-based power plants, 10-year tax exemptions for renewable energy, tenders for 5,238 MW of solar projects, and adoption of 3,000 MW of rooftop solar initiatives. Meanwhile, rising LNG imports have increased foreign exchange costs, underlining the urgent need for a sustainable energy roadmap.
The 3rd Bangladesh Energy Conference 2025 is organized by BWGED in collaboration with 16 national partner organizations. Syeda Rizwana Hasan remarked that the event plays a pivotal role in shaping the country’s energy policy, renewable energy investments, technology advancement, public engagement, and climate risk mitigation.
News Link: Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan Inaugurated 3rd Bangladesh Energy Conference 2025 in Dhaka