Dhaka: The Opposition in Parliament on Monday proposed forming a high-level cell to find a lasting solution to the country’s ongoing power and energy crisis, offering to place its technical expert team at the government’s disposal to work jointly on the issue. Leader of the Opposition Dr Shafiqur Rahman made the offer during a nearly 90-minute discussion under Rule 68 in Parliament, where five treasury and opposition MPs took part.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Dr Rahman emphasized the necessity of creating a long-term, effective energy cell and expressed his party’s willingness to allow the government to take full credit for any resulting solution, stating that their only interest is in resolving the problem. Responding on behalf of the government, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit outlined short-, medium-, and long-term plans labeled “We Have a Plan” to address the crisis, which he attributed to past policy mistakes, corruption, and mismanagement.
Amit indicated the government’s target to provide some relief by next year, further improvements by 2028, and an end to the crisis by 2030. While the state minister did not directly respond to the opposition’s proposal, he invited any formal suggestions to be submitted to the ministry. He also highlighted measures already underway, including an offshore gas exploration bidding round that began on May 24 and will continue until November 30, targeting the addition of 2,320 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid by 2031.
Currently, gas demand stands at 3,800 million cubic feet, with a supply of only 2,600 million cubic feet. Amit mentioned deals for two new floating storage regasification units this year and a further unit in the south-west aiming to enhance supply by 2030. Additionally, work is progressing on a land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari. For power generation, Tk 6,000 crore has been allocated to maximize output from furnace oil-based plants, and a 660MW unit at the closed Rampal plant is expected to resume soon.
Renewable energy initiatives include a 1 percent duty concession on rooftop solar installations and a buy-back rate of Tk 10.55 per unit for surplus power, along with plans for a 70MW solar and windmill project in Matarbari. Amit also noted that the Middle East crisis has driven up spot-market LNG costs significantly, while waiving meter rent entirely will impose a substantial cost on the exchequer.
Dr Rahman, however, criticized the government’s proposed solutions for not addressing the “ghost billing” issue and accused successive administrations of lacking transparency and accountability. He highlighted the frequent power outages in rural areas and cited his own experience during a recent long march.
The opposition leader also referenced the escape of former Inspector General of Police Benazir Ahmed from custody in the United Arab Emirates as evidence of weak accountability. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed attributed part of the crisis to the Gulf conflict and criticized the previous Awami League government for constructing single-source, gas-dependent power plants that benefited select business groups without adequate exploration.
Salahuddin mentioned a new 620MW coal-based plant planned at Barapukuria and defended the continuation of the Adani power deal, warning that terminating it abruptly could lead to international arbitration and the loss of 1,600MW of supply. State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki and Jamaat MP Nazibur Rahman also spoke, with Rahman advocating for an emergency energy cell under top-level government supervision and urging an end to “digital extortion” through meter and demand charges.