Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Dec 18, 2025 (BSS) - Ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary election, civil society representatives in Khulna have urged political parties to include clear and specific commitments in their election manifestos for structural reforms in the power and energy sector and a transition to renewable energy.

The call was made at a press conference held at 11:00am on Thursday at the Khulna Press Club, where the Environment and Development Forum, Khulna placed a 13-point set of demands aimed at ensuring a just transition in the energy sector.

Gauranga Nandi, a senior journalist and member of the forum, read out a written statement at the event.

He said that in order to fulfil international commitments, particularly under the Paris Agreement to limit global temperature rise to between 1.5 degrees Celsius and 2 degrees Celsius, it has become imperative to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and move towards renewable energy.

The statement reviewed the current situation of Bangladesh's power and energy sector, noting that although electricity generation capacity has increased significantly over the past one and a half decades, the sector is now facing a severe crisis.

It said around Taka 1.72 trillion has already been spent on capacity charges, while the sector's total debt has risen to approximately Taka 2.53 trillion. At the same time, heavy annual imports of fossil fuels are putting pressure on foreign exchange reserves, threatening the country's energy security.

Speakers at the press conference also highlighted long-standing corruption and irregularities in the power and energy sector. They said the lack of transparency and accountability has created confusion among ordinary citizens, even in basic matters such as electricity connections, which contradicts the principles of democracy and good governance.

Among the key demands placed before political parties were the immediate formulation of a national renewable energy policy to address climate risks, repeal of indemnity laws in the power and energy sector, including those related to quick rental power plants, and the introduction of open and competitive tendering.

The demands also included making it mandatory to generate at least 30 percent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 40 percent by 2041, halting the construction of new coal-, gas- and oil-based power plants as well as LNG terminals, and preparing a roadmap to ensure 100 percent renewable energy by 2050.

Other proposals included reducing duties on electric vehicles to curb transport-sector pollution, transforming the national grid into a smart grid, providing a 25 percent subsidy and 70 percent soft loans for agricultural and rooftop solar projects, and creating training and employment opportunities for youth in the renewable energy sector.

The forum also called for investment in carbon capture, green hydrogen and waste-to-energy technologies, development of recycling industries for solar panels and batteries, ensuring the participation of women, Indigenous peoples and marginalized communities in energy policy-making, and introducing long-term land leasing instead of land acquisition from farmers.

Concluding the press conference, the speakers said meaningful reform in the energy sector depends on strong political commitment.

They stressed that breaking away from corruption and fossil fuel dependence to build a sustainable, environmentally friendly and people-centred energy system is the core objective of civil society, adding that there is no alternative to renewable energy to ensure long-term economic prosperity and energy security.