An awareness human chain organized by the Conscious Citizens Committee (SONAC) on the occasion of 'International Clean Energy Day 2025' was held in front of Rangpur Suravi Udyan on Sunday afternoon. Photo : BSS

RANGPUR, Jan 27, 2025 (BSS) - Environmental experts have emphasized the need for taking effective steps to ensure good governance in the energy sector to transition to renewable energy for building a greener world for future generations.
 
They expressed the view while addressing an awareness-raising human chain programme organized by the Socheton Nagorik Committee (Sonak), marking the 'International Clean Energy Day 2025' in front of the Surovi Uddyan in the city on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Presided over by Sonak Rangpur President Dr Swasswato Bhattacharya, environmental experts and activists Advocate AAM Munir Chowdhury, Asif Ahmed, Sadiq Al Mahdi, among others, addressed the programme. 
 
The speakers emphasized the need for policy clarity in production and use of renewable energy in Bangladesh, like other countries in the world and creating public awareness about the transformation to renewable energy, including various challenges. 
 
At this time, Advocate AAM Munir Chowdhury forwarded 12 recommendations as proposals from the human chain.
 
The proposals include the existing fuel-based energy master plan 'Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP-2023)' should be cancelled immediately.
 
A new master plan should be prepared and implemented based on the principles of reducing the use of fossil fuels and increasing the amount of renewable energy in the energy mix. 
 
An independent monitoring and control authority should be formed consisting of relevant experts to ensure accountability in the decision-making process related to this sector. 
 
Necessary reforms should be made to enhance the legal and institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to ensure transparency in the energy sector, creating a competitive market for public and private institutions. 
 
All project proposals and contract documents in the energy sector executed with international, regional and domestic institutions should be published. 
 
National procurement laws and policies, including the use of open-procurement and E-GP method, should be fully complied with in the implementation and procurement of power sector projects. 
 
Project planning, contract terms should be determined, approved and research and development of renewable energy technologies should be implemented by ensuring transparency, accountability and public participation and so on.