Govt unveils long-term vision for power, energy sectors

Image- Collected

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said the government has adopted a 10-year plan for the country’s power and energy sectors, with some aspects of the plan currently under review.

Speaking during a question-answer session in Parliament, he said the energy minister would soon present the decade-long plan before Parliament and the public. The plan is aimed at supporting the government’s goal of turning Bangladesh into a trillion-dollar economy by 2034.

On the proposed open-pit coal mining at Phulbari, the prime minister said the government would give top priority to public interests and environmental concerns while considering the project.

He said Phulbari has high-quality coal reserves, and extracting them could help address the country’s energy shortage while reducing pressure on foreign currency reserves.

However, he acknowledged that open-pit mining could affect homes and agricultural land in the area. He said the government would therefore focus on proper resettlement, protecting livelihoods and ensuring benefits for affected communities.

The prime minister said a final decision on the project would be made only after reviewing all relevant issues, including its potential environmental impact.