The government plans to attain the ambitious renewable energy transition target to achieve 30% Renewable Energy (RE) in the energy mix by 2030, 40% by 2041, and 100% by 2050
Hailing the measures taken so far by the interim government for the country’s power and every sector, the Bangladesh Energy Prosperity-2050 conference has ended with a declaration targeting a greener future riding on a rapid, just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
The declaration also suggests several institutional, financial and operational reformations in the sector, and changes to and formation of some crucial laws and policies, many of which are imperative to global environmental goals.
Hasan Mehedi, member secretary of Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development (BWGED), read out the 32-point declaration on Friday, the last day of the second edition of the three-day conference in the capital’s BIAM Auditorium.

The declaration starts by appreciating the cancellation of the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provisions) Act-2010, the reciprocation of the authority of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to determine the electricity and fuel prices.
It also lauds the decision to reinstate the Public Procurement Act 2006 and Public Procurement Rules-2008 (for procurement in the power and energy sector), and cancel the proposed and approved fossil fuel power plants and Floating Storage and Regasifcation Units.
The decisions, according to the declaration, would contribute to develop a renewable energy-based ecosystem and more transparent and sustainable energy landscape in the country.
Addressing the closing session, Dr Iftekharuzzaman, executive director of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB), demanded that the Integrated Energy Master Plan (IEPMP) be cancelled. “A new power and energy master plan should be developed and adopted which will be based on the principle of reducing fossil fuel use and increasing renewable energy in the mix.”
He stressed upon bringing transparency and accountability in the power and energy sector, which was absent during the ousted Awami League government.
The speakers and participants also demanded to reduce all types of import duties for the renewable energy accessories necessary for both utility-scale and household solar power plants until the renewable energy industry operates at a full pace in the country.
BUET Professor Ijaz Hossain questioned why there is no net-zero target for Bangladesh yet, under the current interim government.
“The environment ministry hasn’t declared a net-zero target for Bangladesh yet. This is the reason why renewable energy is not being promoted in the country”, he said.
Policy shifts
Highlighting the need for conforming the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the declaration says a rapid, just and equitable transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is required for Bangladesh’s economic prosperity and energy security.
It reiterates the government’s plan to attain the ambitious renewable energy transition target to achieve 30% Renewable Energy (RE) in the energy mix by 2030, 40% by 2041, and 100% by 2050 through devising the Mujib Climate Prosperity Plan 2022-2041.
The declaration suggested the formulation of a Renewable Energy Policy and Renewable Energy Master Plan to emphasise green energy, reduce carbon emissions, introduce a carbon cap for all industries, and eventually shift to a carbon tax towards the formation of a Renewable Energy Fund.
It recommended an immediate amendment to the National Energy Policy, the revision of the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan-2023 (IEPMP), and the alignment of the Perspective Plan of Bangladesh (2021–2041) with justified energy demand, renewable energy targets, and proportionate grid integration.
The declaration also suggested adopting a national fossil fuels non-proliferation plan to phase out fossil fuels gradually, and banning the establishment of new fossil fuel power plants to avoid fossil fuel lock-in.
Institutional, operational reforms
One of the major calls from the conference was the formation of a “One-Stop Center” to streamline the approval process for renewable energy projects, alongside the strengthening of the Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA).
Furthermore, participants highlighted the need for institutional reforms, including enhanced accountability in key bodies like the BERC, the SREDA, and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB).
There was also an emphasis on upgrading the national grid to facilitate the integration of renewable energy, as well as investing in new training and research institutions to foster a robust renewable energy industry.
Financial mechanisms for renewable energy
The conference called for substantial financial commitments to support the green energy transition. A key demand was for at least 20% of the national energy sector budget to be allocated to renewable energy initiatives.
Participants also urged the government to incentivise private investment by reducing tariffs and import taxes on renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles (EVs), while ensuring that commercial banks grant at least 25% of their energy financing to renewable projects.
They demanded the reduction of import tax and tariffs of RE accessories to a symbolic 1% until the renewable energy industry operates at a full pace in the country.
Additionally, it was proposed that a ‘No Electricity No Pay’ policy be implemented to ensure that power providers improve the quality and reliability of their services, and that concessional loans be made available to youth, women, and lower-income communities seeking to participate in the renewable energy sector.
However, after the declaration of then text, some speakers also suggest if possible to revisit the demand to keep at least 20% of the national energy sector budget for renewable energy initiatives as they felt the demand should be more for a good percentage for negotiations.
Zahidul Alam, vice president of the Bangladesh Solar and Renewable Energy Association said, “If the import duties for renewable energy accessories are not reduced, the country would never be able to reach the target of 30% renewable by 2030. “
Regional, global cooperations
The conference emphasised the importance of regional and international collaboration, particularly with platforms like the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, the Climate Vulnerable Forum, the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, the World Bank, and the Green Climate Fund.
Strengthening these partnerships is crucial for securing financial support and sharing knowledge and technologies related to green energy, the experts said.
Participants also stressed the need for a global climate justice movement to accelerate the transition to a fossil-free world that supports vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
Social, environmental governance
In addition to technical and financial solutions, the conference highlighted the importance of social and environmental governance. It advocated for a transparent land leasing policy to protect farmers from losing land to renewable energy projects and for a community benefit-sharing model to ensure that local populations hosting energy projects directly benefit from them.
The participants urged the government to support skills training for youth and women, helping them access opportunities in the renewable energy sector, while promoting research on the nation’s renewable energy potential.
Answering to this point, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “Even though the promises to reduce carbon emission in our Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) are highly challenging to achieve, we need support from other ministries to come up with an achievable net-zero target.
“We are still trying to control the damage done by the previous government. We have got a chance to make a change”, Rizwana added. She also suggested revisiting or further discussing if they would demand for 20% of the national energy sector budget for renewable energy or more.
The declaration ends with the call, “We expect the government of Bangladesh to take the necessary steps to effectively address our demand for ensuring a just, equitable, green transition in Bangladesh.”
The conference was jointly organised by the BWGED, the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), the TIB, the Media Resources Development Initiative, the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), Waterkeepers Bangladesh and ActionAid Bangladesh, among others.