THE PHULBARI COAL AND POWER PROJECT5 Jun 2026 07:06
Recap on what this project is about as everything else related to it gets deleted??……
In January 2026 the Draft Power and Energy Master Plan was presented to the then Chief Adviser Dr Yunus. Although it has not yet been finalised, nor made fully available to the public, the plan highlighted ‘missed opportunities in domestic coal utilisation, despite its relatively low cost’. There was reaction in the press about the documents focus on domestic coal extraction and utilisation. The plan, provides the newly elected government with the information needed to implement rapid change. It foresees the country requiring 59,000 megawatts of electricity by 2050, current demand is around 16,500 megawatts. Domestic coal is expected to be contributing at least 24 million tonnes per annum of the internal energy mix in 2050. There is also focus on economic sustainability, and institutional reform, aiming to make the primary energy sector more secure, efficient, less import-dependent, and financially sustainable by 2050.
The newly elected government has been vocal about creating a corruption-free energy sector and moving away from import dependence through utilising the country's own resources, including coal. They have also been vocal about the development and industrialisation of the previously neglected northern regions , particularly Rangpur, where both the Phulbari and Teesta projects are located.
UPDATE
On 30th January 2026, Tarique Rahman, the leader of the BNP, the winner of the February elections, stated at a rally in Rangpur, that they would implement both the Teesta Project and mine local coal and that 'coal extraction in the Rangpur region could pave the way for significant development in the area'
On 12th February 2026 the Bangladesh Nationalist Party was elected to govern with a large majority. Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, was appointed Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources. A long-time advocate of utilising the country's own coal, including through open-pit mining, he has been vocal in reiterating his stance on both these issues.
https://www.phulbari.org/copy-of-benefits-1