Energy Expansion Sparks Debate on Economy, Ecology, and Just Transition in Bangladesh

By Mahamudul Hasan

Dhaka, Aug 23 — Experts, activists, and young climate leaders have stressed the urgent need for a rapid and just energy transition in Bangladesh, warning that the country’s current fuel-expansion strategy risks deepening economic dependency, ecological destruction, and social injustice.

The call came at an interactive session titled “Fuel Expansion: Conflicts with Bangladesh’s Economy, Environment, and Just Transition”, held yesterday at the Liberation War Museum Auditorium in Dhaka. The event was jointly organized by 10 organizations including Waterkeepers Bangladesh, DHORA, Climate Frontier, Mission Green Bangladesh, and Young Climate Action Network.

Bangladesh is at a crossroads in its energy strategy, with the government prioritizing coal, LNG, and imported fossil fuel–based power generation alongside infrastructure expansion. While power generation is essential for development, experts said the approach risks locking the country into long-term environmental and economic vulnerabilities.

Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, research director of the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD), highlighted the need to view energy not only as resources but also as supply chains. “Fuel cannot be used directly like other resources. It requires infrastructure, technology, policies, and human resources. Our gas reserves are declining, forcing us to rely on imported fuel with costly subsidies. Without proper planning, energy security will remain fragile,” he warned.

Sharif Jamil, member secretary of Dhoritri Rokhhay Amra (DHORA), criticized the expansion of coal-based projects, linking them to environmental devastation. “The 2010 Power System Master Plan proposed more than 50% coal dependence. If implemented, it would trigger humanitarian and ecological disasters. Rampal, Payra, and Matarbari are examples where toxic ash is damaging crops, rivers, and biodiversity within 25 kilometers of project sites,” he said, urging the government to revise its energy policies.

Harjit Singh, strategic advisor to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, stressed the global political and economic dimensions of energy transition. “The U.S. remains the world’s largest polluter, while China holds key technologies for renewable energy. Without their cooperation, shifting to renewables will be extremely difficult. Poor countries like Bangladesh are bearing rising energy costs and worsening vulnerabilities. Bangladesh must raise its voice more strongly on the global stage,” he said.

Participants — including students, researchers, climate activists, policymakers, and civil society representatives — discussed how renewable energy, decentralization, and people’s participation should be at the heart of a just energy transition.

Speakers concluded that while Bangladesh needs power for development, the path must balance economic growth with ecological sustainability, ensuring that energy justice does not come at the cost of people’s health, heritage, and environment.