Awami League has promised to close the rent-based, inefficient power plants in its manifesto for the upcoming 12th National Parliament elections

 This announcement was made in the election manifesto at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. Awami League President Sheikh Hasina presided over the said event.

It is said in the manifesto that the provision of electricity and energy at a price consistent with the affordability is a prerequisite for the overall economic development of every developed or developing country. In 1972, Bangabandhu established state ownership of all natural resources, including energy and mineral resources, to permanently stop foreign exploitation and protect national interests. 21 years after the assassination of Bangabandhu, during the first Awami League government under the leadership of Sheikh Hasina (1996 to 2001), some groundbreaking steps were taken in the energy and power sector. From 2001 to 2006 BNP-Jamaat rampant looting, mismanagement and inefficiency created a dire situation in the energy and power sector. During the three terms of Sheikh Hasina's government since 2009, groundbreaking and revolutionary developments have been made in the country. As a result, industrial and commercial sectors are getting electricity as per requirement. Electricity has been ensured in every house of the country including rural areas.

The pledges made in the manifesto for the development of power and energy sector are:

1. Ensuring uninterrupted and quality electricity and fuel supply.

2. A long-term plan to increase power generation capacity to 40,000 MW by 2030 and 60,000 MW by 2041 will be implemented. Rent-based and inefficient power plants will be phased out (retirement).

3. Ten thousand megawatts of electricity will be produced from clean energy. The grid will be modernized to transmit electricity generated by renewable and nuclear power plants.

4. Import of hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan and inter-state power and energy trade in the region will be accelerated.

5. The amount of transmission lines will be increased to 24 thousand circuit kilometers.

6. Construction and operation of the transmission line will be undertaken under Public Private Partnership (PPP).