Speakers at an energy fest in the capital Dhaka called on the interim government to ensure energy justice by ending discrimination embedded in the current power and energy system.
Surprised by the lack of effort to end the discrimination, the speakers reminded the interim government that it came to power with the mandate to end systematic discrimination introduced by the past Awami League government.
The past AL government developed power and energy infrastructure, they said, adding that they, however, failed to ensure a system that provided reliable, affordable, and efficient energy supply.
鈥楨nergy justice eludes Bangladesh as systematic discrimination persists,鈥� said M Shamsul Alam, energy adviser, Consumers Association of Bangladesh while speaking at a session at the fest at BUET.
The two-day fest titled Renewable Energy Fest 2025, organised by ActionAid Bangladesh, concludes today.
Power supply is still unreliable and the poor in villages suffer serious low voltage despite paying the same as city dwellers, said Shamsul Alam.
The past AL government created an energy system that opened business windows for fossil fuels business such as coal and liquefied natural gas, exposing the economy to external shocks, he added.
The government is struggling to contain the situation despite spending billions and energy prices keep rising, he said.
鈥極nly remedy to the existing situation is ensuring energy justice,鈥� said Shamsul Alam, identifying the energy situation in the country as a symptom of democratic accountability.
Center for Policy Dialogue research director Khandaker Golam Moazzem presented the keynote paper at the session.
The fest also hosted another session on women in renewable energy in which speakers regretted the lack of data on women鈥檚 access to energy, even in government studies.
鈥楢bout 90 per cent cooking still depend on bio-mass energy,鈥� said Sharmind Neelormi, who teaches economics at Jahangirnagar University.
鈥楤ut there is no data on how women gather energy for cooking, denying a peek into women鈥檚 access to energy,鈥� she said.
