It is only a matter of time before lives will be endangered by energy security deficits, said Dr Shamsul Alam, energy expert and Senior Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB).
He said this at a seminar titled "Bangladesh Energy Transition Policy," proposed by CAB, held on Sunday (June 30) at the CIRDAP Auditorium in Dhaka.
Shamsul Alam said creating an energy security deficit is equivalent to violating constitutional fundamental rights, for which the state and government are responsible.
He said, "The government is facing extreme financial shortages. It cannot pay bills for private power plants or for coal shipments, but loans must be repaid from 2026 onwards."
Labeling energy rights as fundamental human rights, Shamsul Alam asserted that there is no debate on whether energy rights are fundamental.
He remarked, "Food, clothing, shelter, and healthcare are all crucial, but none are as dangerous to lack as energy."
Shamsul Alam said energy poverty drastically reduces citizens' overall capabilities, leading to an increasing spread of energy injustice.
"Every element of fundamental human rights is entirely dependent on energy. Whether discussing food, housing, clothing, or education, all are energy-dependent. Energy poverty creates 'household energy insecurity,' undermining even basic housing needs."
He said, “If energy supply costs are not within people's purchasing power, then physical infrastructure access is meaningless. Energy poverty essentially reflects energy insecurity, indicating that the 'energy system' is not functioning properly.”
The 'energy system' refers to the desired method of energy extraction to supply to the end-users, he explained, adding that any process that fails to prevent or worsens energy poverty does not align with national expectations.
Shamsul Alam said a person is considered 'energy poor' if they do not receive or use 35 kilograms of LPG per capita per year for cooking or 120 units of electricity per capita annually. He said this benchmark has not been set for poverty alleviation, rather achieving this goal requires formulating and following energy policies to develop or transform the existing 'energy system.'
Shamsul Alam criticised the government for taking over the power to set tariffs by amending Section 34 of the 'BERC Act 2003,' eliminating public hearings. He said the move has led to unjust and unreasonable increases in supply costs and tariffs, jeopardising minimal-cost energy supply and fair pricing, thus pushing consumers into extreme energy poverty.
He said energy justice involves multi-layered welfare measures to combat evident and hidden injustice and inequality in the energy sector. Ensuring fairness from energy extraction to final consumption is essential for establishing justice and equality in the energy sector. Institutional fairness must be established at all levels, from production, processing, distribution, to pricing.
Shamsul Alam urged parliament members to discuss the extent to which energy justice is ensured in Bangladesh's ongoing energy transition during parliamentary sessions.