There is a common understanding among political parties in Bangladesh regarding the energy transition towards ensuring energy security in Bangladesh.
Such observation was found by Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), a leading Dhaka think-tank, while analysing the policy statements of the parties in this regard.
It said, however, there are differences in terms of the political ideology and commitments to reflect upon the understanding and attain the energy transition goals.
These findings have been shared by the CPD in a report titled ‘Energy Transition for Addressing Energy Crisis in Bangladesh: Perception of Political Parties’.
The CPD explores the perception of the major political parties including Bangladesh Awami League (BAL), Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Jatiya Party (JP), Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (BSD) on Bangladesh's energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable or clean energy.
Political parties through their proactive role both in the Parliament and outside can best contribute in shaping the long-term energy and power policies and plans targeting energy transition in Bangladesh.
Achieving the commitment of 40 percent renewable energy by 2041 requires coherent policies, initiatives and actions.
However, most of the existing and upcoming energy and power-related policies are not in line with that commitment, said the CPD.
Hence, voice of the political parties is crucial within and outside the government, as well as within the Parliament and outside the Parliament in order to make coherent policies and plans for achieving just energy transition in the country highlighting major reforms in the areas of energy-mix, renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy pricing and energy security etc.
The CPD study suggests three sets of recommendations for ruling party leaders, representatives in parliament both from ruling and opposition parties, as well as other opposition parties outside parliament to actively use their bargaining power in transiting the national energy related policies and plans.
It said the Awami League while in power for 15 years has recognised the challenges of overwhelming dependence on fossil fuel-based energy sources long ago.
Yet the party stands far behind in reducing its dependence on fossil fuels, it said adding, the ruling party still finds it difficult to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and so continues to keep the newly built coal-based power plants for the next decade.
Opposition parties such as BNP, CPB and representatives from the left-wing parties think that renewable energy and natural gas should be prioritised as the main sources of energy because both are environmentally friendly, safer and can reduce generation costs.
Perception on strengthening transmission and distribution system Bangladesh Awami League accepts its weakness in modernising the transmission and distribution system and expresses its willingness to establish the smart grid system immediately.
BNP's Vision 2030 mentions some steps to modernise inefficient power plants to ensure efficient energy and quality electricity at a reasonable cost.
Other political parties agree that the power distribution and transmission facilities must be improved in line with the power generation, but they also lack proper planning necessary to achieve the objective, the CPD said.
The CPD study report laid out three sets of recommendations for ruling party leaders, representatives in parliament both from ruling and opposition parties, as well as other opposition parties outside parliament.
These include that the elected government should create a fully functional parliament where the policy, plan, and acts can be presented and passed and discontinue discriminatory, non-competitive policies and set up a committee with specialists and climate-responsive people to prepare a roadmap for attaining the 40 percent renewable energy target by 2041.
The appointed members of opposition in the national parliament should utilise the opportunity to put pressure on the government by creating consensus among fellow parliamentarians, promoting parliamentary debates and discussions for renewable energy roadmap to achieve the target, and making sure that the sectoral policies, rules and acts of this sector are presented and passed as bills in parliament.
Political parties with a spirit of activism can mobilise the peoples’ movement through knowledge sharing and create a public mood in favour of renewable energy and just energy transition, the CPD suggested.