PRESS RELEASE
Bhola IPP: People & Ecology in Peril
MIGA Issued Guarantees upto US$407 million
Bhola’s people were forced to give up their land in the dead of night — no consent, no clarity!
Bhola IPP Documentary Exposes Devastating Impacts on People and Ecology
Communities Break the Silence: Documentary Exposes Hidden Costs of Bhola IPP
Hot water discharged from the power plant will cause rapid death of microorganisms- Hasan Mehedi.
2025-10-17
[Dhaka, 17 October 2025]: A groundbreaking documentary, “Bhola IPP: People & Ecology in Peril,” was launched today [online] presented by CLEAN (Bangladesh) in cooperation with Recourse (UK), NGO Forum on ADB (Manilla) and Urgewald (Germany), exposing the severe environmental and social consequences of the 220 MW gas-fired power plant in Bhola, Bangladesh. This documentary uncovered how global financiers like AIIB & MIGA are fueling destruction in Bangladesh. The project, backed by a $407 million guarantee from the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and investments from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), has sparked widespread concerns over pollution, community displacement, and threats to biodiversity.
The film highlights that hot water discharged from the power plant into the Dehula Khal is killing microorganisms at an alarming rate, endangering the river ecosystem and the livelihoods of local fishers. Communities have reported the loss of fertile land, reduced fish catch, and health hazards linked to chemical emissions, thermal pollution, and degraded water quality.
“This project promised prosperity but delivered pollution, displacement, and debt. Communities are paying the real cost while financiers profit from it,” said Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN). He added, “Hot water from the plant is already killing microorganisms in the Dehula Khal, which threatens the entire aquatic ecosystem.”
Petra Kjell Wright from Recourse emphasized, “This isn’t just about Bhola—it’s a global warning. Institutions like AIIB and MIGA must be held accountable for funding destructive fossil gas projects. They should invest in clean renewable energy instead of fueling ecological destruction.”
Rayyan Hasan from NGO Forum on ADB added, “AIIB failed to address the project’s negative impacts. Local communities are living with the consequences of environmental degradation and health risks. The fight for justice and accountability must continue.”
The documentary also underscores the broader failures of international financial institutions in ensuring that projects adhere to environmental and social safeguards. It calls for urgent monitoring, stricter oversight, and a pivot toward sustainable energy solutions that protect communities rather than endanger them. CLEAN and partner organizations have already taken concrete steps: monitoring the impacts of Bhola IPP, engaging with MIGA officials in Washington, D.C. during the [World Bank Annual Meeting], demanding accountability, and sharing the documentary with policymakers and financial institutions worldwide.
The meeting concluded with a discussion on the environmental and community impacts of IFI-funded projects in Bangladesh. Participants emphasized the need for thorough impact assessments, including data on chemical emissions, air and noise pollution, thermal effects, and agricultural loss. The importance of proper documentation, research, and a gas-free approach for future projects was highlighted to prevent community harm.
“Today, we shattered the silence. This film is more than a story—it is a bold call to demand justice, defend communities, and fight for our climate before it’s too late,” - said Hasan Mehedi.
For Contact:
Kaniz Rabeya
Comms. Coordinator, CLEAN
Email: kaniz@cleanbd.org
Download Press Release