The Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) has demanded the cancellation of the 1,600-megawatt power import agreement with India's Adani Power, raising concerns over pricing and tendering practices in the country's energy sector.
Speaking at a citizen dialogue titled "Experience Sharing on Energy Sector Reform and Renewable Energy Transition in Bangladesh" held at a city hotel on Thursday, CAB energy expert Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam highlighted discrepancies in solar power pricing.
He said, "When the real price is not more than Tk 7.5, we are awarding contracts at rates of Tk 15 to 19." He cited a 3.5 MW solar power project tender invited by Daffodil International University, which reportedly received the lowest bid at Tk 7.30 per kilowatt-hour.
At the event, CAB presented 13 key demands, including a halt to any increase in coal-fired power generation capacity and a call to limit liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports over the next five years. The association also recommended increasing solar power generation capacity by an average of 15% annually, with priority given to developing the renewable energy sector.
CAB further urged the government to ensure full offshore gas exploration and production by local companies, including Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX), using funds from the Gas Development Fund. Speakers at the dialogue included Professor Dr. Shamsul Alam, Professor Dr. Mohammad Tanzimuddin Khan of Dhaka University, constitutional expert Arif Khan, engineer Shuvo Kibria, and SM Nazir Hossain.
Professor Alam criticised the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), accusing it of violating its own regulations and calling for structural reforms. "Neither the Bangladesh Power Development Board nor Petrobangla has properly understood the power and energy pricing formula," he alleged.
