Bangladesh energy conference calls for new energy policy

Top political leaders attend Dhaka event; calls grow for rapid renewable expansion

At the Bangladesh Energy Conference 2025, civil society and political leaders endorsed a 13-point citizen manifesto urging an evidence-based national energy policy, rapid renewable expansion and anti-corruption reforms ahead of the 2026 elections to secure a just, climate-resilient future.

Civil society groups, environmental advocates and energy experts have urged the government to immediately adopt a pragmatic and evidence-based National Energy Policy to address rising climate risks and economic vulnerabilities. The call was made on Monday, 8 December 2025, during the closing session of the Bangladesh Energy Conference 2025 at the Bangladesh Military Museum in Dhaka, where speakers said renewable energy expansion is now the only viable national pathway.

At the event, a 13-point citizen manifesto was formally presented in the presence of senior political leaders including Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal, Advisor to the Chairperson of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP); Hasnat Qayum, President of the State Reform Movement; Nazrul Haque Pradhan, General Secretary of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal; Rajequzzaman Ratan, Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Socialist Party; Manzur Moin, General Secretary (Dhaka South) of the Communist Party of Bangladesh; Abul Hasan Rubel, Executive Coordinator of the Gonosanghati Andolon; and Sarwar Tushar, Joint Convener of the National Citizens Party.

The manifesto was read by Monowar Mostafa, Executive Member of the Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED). He said that ahead of the 2026 national elections, the future government and all political parties must adopt binding and clear commitments to implement the demands outlined by citizens.

Experts at the conference stressed that each political party’s electoral manifesto should directly incorporate the citizen energy agenda. Hasan Mehedi, Secretary of BWGED, noted that Bangladesh spends 12 to 13 billion dollars annually on electricity imports and said the country must urgently plan pathways toward energy self-sufficiency.

Addressing the session, BNP leader Syed Moazzem Hossain Alal described a just energy transition as a fundamental political and existential issue. He said bureaucratic complexities often obstruct political leadership and called for national unity to address the crisis. He highlighted his party’s commitments on transparency in energy and infrastructure, climate and environmental risk mitigation and planned urban development, calling them essential for a just transition.

State Reform Movement President Hasnat Qayum said mismanagement and corruption continue to dominate the energy sector. He said ending theft must be a core political commitment and called for accountability, prosecution of those involved in malpractice and reforms including special tribunals.

Manzur Moin of the Communist Party of Bangladesh said efforts are underway to reduce import dependency in the energy sector, adding that national energy security requires comprehensive and multi-faceted initiatives. He said implementation would remain impossible without qualitative political reform.

Abul Hasan Rubel of Gonosanghati Andolon said the energy transition has become a central political issue. He stressed that environmental protection must guide national planning and said a more democratic and decentralized political process is needed to resolve long-term challenges.

Sarwar Tushar of the National Citizens Party said a people-centered energy policy requires a strong citizen-led movement. He cited last year’s 1.72 lakh crore BDT capacity charge as a major misappropriation and affirmed his party’s full support for the citizen manifesto.

BASAD Joint General Secretary Rajequzzaman Ratan said Bangladesh has achieved only one-fifth of its target under the 2008 Renewable Energy Policy. He urged an accelerated transition away from fossil fuels as global temperatures continue to rise.

Key Demands of the 13-Point Citizen Manifesto

New National Energy Policy: Immediate development of a policy to address climate risks, secure economic development and ensure energy independence. Sectoral plans must integrate environmental, social and economic assessments with mandatory civil society and expert consultations.

Curb corruption and ensure contract transparency: Amend public procurement laws to bring all energy contracts under the Right to Information Act. Grant official recognition to citizen monitoring, prosecute corrupt actors and repatriate misappropriated funds.

Phase out fossil fuel subsidies and mandate renewable adoption: Reduce coal, gas and oil subsidies while requiring at least 30 percent renewable use in industry and commerce by 2030 and 40 percent by 2041. Provide low-interest loans and tax incentives.

No new fossil fuel power plants: Prohibit approval of new coal, gas or oil plants. Decommission inefficient ones and replace them with renewable facilities while ensuring alternative employment for affected workers. Remove capacity charges for non-performing plants.

No new LNG terminals and prevent gas wastage: Halt construction of LNG terminals, optimize gas allocation for fertilizer production, promote industrial electrification and enforce gas metering and anti-leakage measures.

National renewable targets and budget allocation: Achieve 30 percent renewables by 2030, 40 percent by 2041 and 100 percent by 2050. Allocate at least 40 percent of the electricity budget to renewables and reduce VAT and import duties on solar equipment and inverters to near zero.

EV revolution in the transport sector: Cut import duties and taxes on electric vehicles by at least 75 percent compared to conventional engines. Remove tariffs on advanced batteries.

Smart grid and Solar Home Program: Modernize the grid and provide 25 percent subsidies and 70 percent low-interest loans for household and agricultural solar systems up to 3 kW. Offer an additional 10 percent for women, indigenous communities, farmers, fishers and marginalized groups.

Two million new green jobs: Create jobs in the renewable sector with training and financial access, prioritizing women and marginalized communities.

Avoid false solutions and promote circular green economy: Reject expensive technologies such as ammonia co-firing, carbon capture, liquid hydrogen, nuclear and waste-to-energy. Promote waste reduction, segregation, reuse and biofertilizer production.

E-waste recycling for renewable energy: Establish domestic recycling industries for expired solar panels, batteries and inverters.

Participation and equity for marginalized communities: Ensure the rights and participation of women, indigenous peoples, laborers, fishers and the poor. Provide equitable profit shares and include communities in management.

Protect agricultural land and promote multi-use strategies: Replace land acquisition with long-term leases that provide annual rental income. Support agrivoltaics and floatovoltaics with targeted incentives.

The session was chaired by Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue. He said all political parties contesting the 13th National Parliament elections should commit to a green and just energy transition. He added that affordable electricity, citizen rights, climate risk mitigation and transparent public procurement must guide future energy investments, which should prioritize renewable energy across the sector.

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