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Bangladesh's Power Paradox: Energy Plants Displace Farmers, Deepen Debt

A photo exhibition reveals how coal and gas power plants in Bangladesh's Matarbari region are forcibly displacing farming and fishing communities, often without compensation. Bangladeshi consumers already face high electricity bills, a burden set to worsen with a planned $50 billion investment in imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure. This LNG investment threatens health, safety, and the climate, while the same funds could unlock renewable energy capacity more than double the country's current generation. The push for fossil fuel plants contrasts sharply with the potential for Bangladesh to become a clean energy leader.

Key Points: Bangladesh Power Plants Displace Farmers, Hike Energy Costs

  • Land loss from power plants
  • Soaring energy costs from LNG
  • $50B LNG investment vs. renewables
  • Renewable potential double current capacity
2 min read

B'desh: Farmers, fishermen lose land and livelihoods to big power plants

New power plants in Bangladesh displace farmers & fishermen, raise electricity bills with costly LNG, and block renewable energy potential.

"struggling to survive after losing their land and livelihoods - Noor Alam's exhibition"

New Delhi, Jan 1

A recent photo exhibition by Bangladeshi photographer Noor Alam at a gallery in Tokyo depicted the sad story of the fishing and farming communities in the Matarbari region of southeastern Bangladesh are struggling to survive after losing their land and livelihoods to coal and gas-fired power plants that are being set up in the region.

Bangladeshi consumers are already bearing the brunt of high electricity bills, a situation set to worsen if reliance on expensive imported LNG continues.

The report cites examples of farmers being displaced from their ancestral lands where a huge coal power plant has been set up. They are now putting up in crowded settlements where they are struggling to eke out a living as their children grow up with a lack of basic facilities, such as enough space to play.

The report highlights heart-rending stories of thousands of betel leaf and salt farmers and fishermen being forcibly evicted from their land and livelihoods by the power authorities without even the promised compensation. Now they have nowhere to go.

The report also highlights that after having successfully prevented a massive new coal-fired power station, Bangladeshis in the Chattogram division are being pushed by foreign interests to accept huge polluting liquefied natural gas (LNG) power plants and infrastructure, according to a report in The Diplomat.

New LNG power projects and import terminals will cost the Bangladesh economy $50 billion, according to a recent Market Forces report, threatening the safety and health of millions of Bangladeshis due to toxic pollution and worsening climate disasters, such as floods and cyclones, the report states.

The report highlights that as Bangladesh faces brutal heatwaves and demand for power soars, $50 billion is poised to be invested in the LNG industry, which will make global warming worse.

However, $36 billion spent on gas power plants could instead be used to make Bangladesh a clean energy powerhouse by enabling 62 Gigawatts of renewable power, over two times the country's current total electricity generation capacity.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Very sad situation. We see similar issues in India too with some projects. The $36 billion figure is shocking! Imagine if that was invested in solar and wind for Bangladesh. They have so much potential for renewable energy. This short-term thinking will cost them more in the long run with pollution and climate disasters.
A
Aman W
This is a tough one. Bangladesh needs power for its growth, just like we do. But displacing people without a plan is wrong. Also, why LNG? It's expensive and imported. They should focus on their own resources. Hope they find a balance soon. No easy answers here.
S
Sarah B
The human cost of energy development is so often ignored. "Forcibly evicted without even the promised compensation" – this is unacceptable anywhere in the world. International bodies need to look into this. The photo exhibition in Tokyo is a powerful way to raise awareness.
V
Vikram M
As an Indian, I feel we should learn from our neighbour's struggle. We are also pushing for renewables but coal and gas are still big. The statistic about $36 billion for 62 GW of renewable power is eye-opening! That's the future. Hope Bangladesh's leaders make the right choice for their people and planet.
K
Karthik V
The part about "foreign interests" pushing LNG plants is concerning. Development should be for the people, not for foreign companies' profits. Bangladesh has a right to choose its own sustainable path. Strength to the protesting communities in Chattogram! ✊

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