DHAKA, Aug 18, 2024 (BSS) - Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has laid emphasis on abolishing the harmful acts like 'Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply Act' as part of reforming power and energy sectors.

The private think tank also observed that necessary revision, amendment and formulation of acts, laws and rules should be the first and foremost step for energy transition under the interim government.

"The 'Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010' is anticompetitive and stops opportunity to go for competitive bidding to find out the most efficient," said CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem.

He said this at a media briefing on "Power and Energy Sector Reform Agenda for the Interim Government" at CPD office in the city.

Moazzem said that the 'Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act' was formulated in 2010 under the special provision for two years and its tenure was previously extended several times.

The cabinet in September 2021 approved a proposal to extend its tenure for five more years until October 2026, he added.

He informed that though the act was supposed to implement decisions on "urgent extraction and utilisation of minerals related to energy", it has never been on practice.
 
"The Act directly overrides "Public Procurement Act 2006" (Section 3). This removes the transparency and accountability of Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB)," he added.

He said, "The act creates the path of lobbying, favoritism and taking initiatives without proper considerations. Overall, the "Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act, 2010" needs to be repealed immediately."

Moazzem, however, said long-standing poor governance, corruption, irregularities, and mismanagement have plagued the power and energy sector.

He said policies should include a fixed goal for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, detailed plans for electrifying rural areas, and guidelines for Feed-in Tariffs (FiT) and sector-wise renewable energy diversification.

"The revised policies should include clear definitions and objectives, prioritize renewable energy, and establish a framework for phase-out plans for fossil fuels," he added.

He said Public Procurement Act (PPA) 2006 and Public Procurement Rules (PPR) 2008 should be immediately enforced replacing the quick enhancement act which will increase transparency, reduce the risk of favoritism, and foster public trust in energy transition projects.

Among others, CPD Senior Research Associate Helen Mashiyat Preoty and Research Associate Mashfiq Ahasan Hridoy were present on the occasion.