April 17th: Japan Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES) has published the information material title “5 reasons why Government of Japan should not support Matarbari coal-fired power project (Phase 2)”.

The Government of Japan is currently considering an Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Matarbari coal-fired power project (Phase 2) in Bangladesh. JACSES points this project should not be supported with following 5 reasons.

1. Supporting the project is not consistent with the Japan’s Long-term Strategy under the Paris Agreement (approved by the Cabinet in June 2019).
2. Supporting the project is not consistent with the Japan’s Strategic Energy Plan (approved by the Cabinet in July 2018).
3. The actual reserve margin in Bangladesh consistently exceeds the targeted reserve margin until 2041, therefore there is low demand for building a new coal-fired power plant.
4. Building a new coal-fired power plant is not consistent with the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) of Bangladesh.
5. Matarbari coal-fired power project (Phase 1) has not been meeting JICA’s Guidelines for Environmental and Social Considerations.

Download the material here (PDF)

Ling to JACSES web site is here.