The proposed draft renewable energy policy 2025’s limited targets will not ensure the country’s energy security. Instead, it will increase dependence on fossil fuels and allow businesses to earn higher profits, ultimately adding financial pressure on public life. These concerns were raised at a press conference organised by the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) at a hotel in the capital on Sunday.Hasan Mehedi, Chief Executive of CLEAN, presented the keynote speech at the event. He said that “The government took four years to draft the renewable energy policy while there is still no comprehensive energy policy in place. It provided only 21 days for civil society and experts to offer feedback, with no prior participation from CSOs.The policy sets ambitious renewable energy targets—6,145 MW (20%) by 2030 and 17,470 MW (30%) by 2041—but lacks a clear roadmap for decarbonization. It also fails to include a green taxonomy, potentially leading to greenwashing. There is no coordination plan among ministries or an implementation strategy, nor is there a financing or investment plan. He also noted that while companies implementing renewable energy projects are exempted from income tax for 10 years (fully) and five years (partially), ordinary citizens receive no tax benefits or incentives. In contrast, in other countries, rooftop solar panel installations receive up to 30% direct financial support, but the proposed policy offers no such benefits.”Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said that “The draft renewable energy policy appears to lack the necessary comprehensiveness. What is urgently required is a well-defined energy policy, underpinned by a clear strategy and coordinated planning. The current documents create imbalance, which will inevitably confuse long-term investors. While the fossil fuel plan remains highly coherent, the renewable energy policies are not. We have to remember that it is impractical to promote renewable energy within an overarching fossil fuel-dependent economic framework.Additionally, the policy overlooks the critical role of foreign direct investment (FDI), which is essential in the current context. Achieving our energy goals necessitates a blend of both FDI and domestic finance. Furthermore, Bangladesh must adopt a more accurate approach to power demand forecasting, independent of the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP). Renewable energy projections should be based on precise and reliable data to ensure their effectiveness.”Bareesh Hasan Chowdhury, Coordinator of Friends of the Earth Asia Pacific, said that “While most countries have set net-zero targets, Bangladesh has yet to establish such a goal. The definitions of this policy are often confusing. Although the policy mentions reducing carbon emissions, it fails to specify the amount or timeline. The inclusion of a ‘carbon market’ is also irrelevant in this context. Moreover, the policy lacks a broader vision for the future energy transition. Without clear targets, this policy is like a rudderless boat, unlikely to deliver meaningful results”.Shahriar Ahmed Chowdhury, Director of the Center for Energy Research and a renewable energy expert said that “There is a significant lack in setting realistic RE targets in the policy. Each year, we provide nearly 4 billion in subsidies to the energy sector, yet what we need most is an enabling energy landscape including policy that supports the RE transition in Bangladesh.We have multiple policies in place, but the government must take the time to define a clear path forward, as the direction currently varies across the IEPMP, MCPP, Roadmap and others. Also, the document also heavily relies on SREDA, many of which lack the capacity to effectively implement the proposed actions. To ensure a focused and coordinated approach, there should be a separate ministry dedicated to renewable energy or a specific entity under the Ministry of Energy and Power, allowing for more effective planning, oversight, and progress in the sector.”

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