Bangladesh seeks to review major energy projects including one with Adani Group

Bangladesh review committee recommends investigation into power agreements, including Adani Group deal, amid corruption allegations.

A review committee formed by Bangladesh’s interim government on Sunday (November 24, 2024) recommended engaging an investigation agency to examine power agreements signed by deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina’s regime with different business groups, including one with India’s Adani Group.

“The National Review Committee on Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources has recommended the appointment of a reputed legal and investigation agency to review the major power production agreements signed during the autocratic regime of Sheikh Hasina from 2009 to 2024,” an official statement said.

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The statement, issued by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus’s office, said the committee was currently reviewing seven major energy and power projects, including the Adani (Godda) BIFPCL 1234.4 MW coal-fired plant, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Adani Power Limited.

The six other agreements include one with a Chinese company that built a 1320 MW coal-fired power plant, while the rest are with Bangladeshi business groups said to be close to the past regime.

According to the statement, the committee gathered “enormous proof” warranting the agreements be “scrapped or reconsidered” in line with international arbitration laws and procedures. It said the committee needed additional time to further analyse other solicited and unsolicited contracts.

“In doing so, we recommend immediate appointment of one or more top-level international legal and investigation agency or agencies to assist the committee,” the statement said quoting a letter of the committee, headed by retired High Court judge Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury.