CPD calls for discontinuation of Speedy Supply of Power and Energy Act
The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) on Sunday called for discontinuation of the Speedy Supply of Power and Energy (Special) Act 2010, scheduled to expire in next October, in the interest of the country's power and energy sector, reports UNB.
The CPD suggested increasing budget allocation for renewable energy saying that financial incentive should be further widened in the sector.
"We apprehend, if it continues, it would create room for corruption, reduce scope for competition and increase non-transparency in the project implementation process", said Khondaker Golam Moazzem, CPD’s research director while addressing a virtual media brief on ‘Power Sector in the National Budget for FY 2021-22: Perspective on Allocation PrioritiesandReform Agenda’.
The virtual even was organised by the CPD with its chairman professor Rehman Sobhan in the chair.
Citing that the law was enacted targeting special needs in 2010, Golam Moazzem said Bangladesh's energy and power sector now needs to shift its activities from 'emergency management to 'market-led' management and it needs to improve its transparency, accountability and efficiency.
He noted that the power and energy sector received an allocation of Tk. 27,484 crore in which power got Tk 25398 crore and energy got Tk 2086 crorewith 62 per cent of the focus on generation.
It now needs a shift in allocation more on transmission and distribution from generation, he said.
Energy expert and BUET teacher professor M Tamim said the government’s statement about the 23,000 MW is a political propaganda.
"The country has 14,000MW power transmission capacity and the maximum 18,000MW power generation capacity ", he said.
Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority chairman Mohammad Alauddin Mahammad Alauddin said the government is preparing a Delta Plan where the country's renewable energy generation target was set at 30,000 MW by 2041.
Power Cell director general Mohammad Hossain said the government is now focusing on development of transmission and distribution lines.
CPD executive director Famida Khatun moderated the discussion.