Title: Contrasting political and techno-economic perspectives on energy policies in Bangladesh

Authors: Palash Kamruzzaman; Samuel J.G. Cooper

Addresses: School of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of South Wales, Treforest, Cardiff, CF37 1DL, UK ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK

Abstract: This paper assesses whether selected power sector policies in Bangladesh may have been subject to excessive political interference in contrast to rational and open decision-making approach. This is done by comparing techno-economic assessments with populist narratives on the merits and demerits of three specific policies. While the populist narrative is critical of all three policies, techno-economic assessments are less conclusive and some aspects are explained by the context in which the policy planning has occurred. The paper reflects on the differences between populist narrative and techno-economic assessment and suggests how an awareness of their differences may inform future planning.

Keywords: populist narrative; techno-economic; quick rental power plants; QRPPs; policy-making; Rampal power plant; RPP; Bangladesh; power sector policies.

DOI: 10.1504/IER.2018.095726

Interdisciplinary Environmental Review, 2018 Vol.19 No.3/4, pp.198 - 218

Received: 03 Nov 2017
Accepted: 04 May 2018

Published online: 18 Oct 2018 *

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