CPD questions whose interests govt’s energy master plan serves

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has raised questions about whose interests are being served by the interim government’s proposed Power and Energy Master Plan. The organisation also questioned whether the plan was drafted to fulfill preconditions of any agreement. Additionally, CPD claimed that the draft does not address the current crises in the energy sector, including the LNG shortage.

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Fellow at CPD, shared these observations on Thursday (15 January) morning at the CPD office in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, during a discussion titled “Interim Government’s Proposed Energy and Power Master Plan (2026–2050): CPD’s Immediate Reaction.” The main paper at the event was presented by CPD Senior Research Associate Helen Mashiyat Preoty.

Referring to the master plan, Moazzem said, “In an open democratic environment, where decision-making processes are expected to be research-based, aligned with the country’s long-term goals, inclusive of political processes, and participatory in nature, none of these aspects are visible here.”

He added, “Even the current crises in various sectors, which ought to have been considered in drafting the plan, are barely addressed, if at all. This raises the question: why is the interim government rushing to prepare this master plan just a month before handing over power to the elected government? Is this haste meant to appease someone, or is it being prepared to fulfill preconditions for signing any international agreement?”