To
achieve sustainable and fair energy transition, the country’s largest energy
network, ‘Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD)’, has been
launched. The network comprises 75 civil society organizations (CSOs), national
and international development agencies, local organizations, energy sector
experts, and environmentalists. The network was officially inaugurated at an event
held this Thursday (September 26) at a hotel in Gulshan, Dhaka. During the
event, 14 demands for a fair energy transition were announced.
The
advisory panel for this network includes 23 notable individuals from the
country, such as Dr. Mohammad Tamim, Dean of the Chemical and Material
Engineering Faculty at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology
(BUET) and Professor of Petroleum Engineering; Dr. Izaz Hossain, former
professor of Chemical Engineering; Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research
Director at the Center for Policy Dialogue (CPD); Shafiqul Alam, Chief Energy
Analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis; Jyotirmoy
Barua, advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court; and M. Zakir Hossain Khan, CEO
of Change Initiative.
JETnet-BD
will focus on energy governance, affordable energy, green jobs, women’s
participation in fair and green energy transition, energy efficiency, energy
conservation, environmental and community protection, campaigns, and
strengthening regional cooperation. Abul Kalam Azad, Manager of ActionAid
Bangladesh’s Just Energy Transition (JET) team, discussed the goals,
objectives, and necessity of the network. He stated, “JETnet-BD’s primary goal
is to amplify the voice of civil society and unite everyone for a green and
sustainable energy future. This collaborative network is committed to achieving
sustainable energy transition in the country through promoting renewable
energy, enhancing the capacities of member organizations, ensuring
environmental protection, and influencing policymakers.”
After
the network’s launch, a 14 points citizens’ demands charter for fair energy
transition was announced, under the guidance and advice of energy and
environmental experts. Later, ActionAid Bangladesh’s Country Director Farah
Kabir moderated a dialogue and discussion session. Experts from the environment
and energy sectors participated in the discussion. In this collective
initiative, Farah Kabir urged the government to support the journey of
JETnet-BD and said, “With everyone’s collective efforts, it is possible to move
toward a 100% renewable energy transition.”
Highlighting
the importance of ensuring good governance in the country’s energy sector, Dr.
Mohammad Tamim stated that JETnet-BD will work diligently to ensure
transparency and accountability through policy dialogues with the government. He
added, “The previous government’s political ambition of achieving 100%
electrification has completely destroyed Bangladesh’s home solar system.”
CPD’s
Research Director Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem emphasized, “We need to consider
how we can advise the government to prevent the establishment of new coal-based
power plants in the future and phase out existing projects quickly.”
Naznin
Akhter, Director of Business Development at Solaric Group, said, “In the
industrial sector, where electricity can be produced at BDT 11-12 per unit,
solar power could be generated at only BDT 3-4 per unit.”