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The interim government of Bangladesh, led by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, has set up a committee to review power contracts signed by the former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. These contracts were made under the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply Act (2010), amended in 2021. The committee is focusing on bilateral power agreements, particularly those signed with various business groups, including India's Adani Group.

The review committee, which is under the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, has suggested that a reputable legal and investigative agency be appointed to examine the power purchase agreements. These agreements were signed during the period of Sheikh Hasina’s rule from 2009 to 2024, which the committee described as an autocratic regime.

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Focus on major projects

The committee is reviewing seven major energy projects, which include the Adani Group’s Godda 1234.4 MW coal-fired power plant, built in Jharkhand to supply electricity to Bangladesh. Other agreements under review include a 1320 MW coal-fired plant built by a Chinese company and several others with Bangladeshi business groups that are said to be close to Sheikh Hasina’s government.

The committee has claimed to have gathered strong evidence that may justify canceling or re-evaluating these agreements based on international arbitration laws. They are also looking into other contracts, both solicited and unsolicited, that were signed during this period. To assist with this, the committee has recommended hiring top-level international legal and investigative agencies.

Bangladesh’s relationship with India, especially in the power sector, has been important. India has recently amended its laws, allowing the Adani Group to sell power domestically instead of only supplying it to Bangladesh, leading to a conflict between the two countries. Bangladesh has raised concerns about an unpaid power bill of $800 million, with its Power Development Board stating that it had already paid $150 million, despite a dollar shortage, and plans to pay the rest.