Energy
CAB in cooperation with USAID organized a series of training orientation program on energy conservation and regulation for CAB divisional and district committee leaders during 2007-2008.
More than 150 consumer leaders from across the country were gathered in the capital city and trained on consumer issues in general and energy issues in particular. Mr. Mostafa traveled with the CAB across the country to orient the media and civil society groups. More than 200 such media and civil society persons received orientations. The first ever National Conference on Consumer Movement in Bangladesh was held on 21 January 2008, attended by approximately 500 delegates, with the assistance of USAID/NARUC project and managerial and organizational support of Mr. Mostafa. A regulation to assist funding of consumer groups for participation in the regulatory activities of the energy sector was drafted and handed over to the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC).
In 2011, CAB in collaboration with CUTS International and Unnayan Shamannay jointly organized training and research program on Sustainable Electricity Consumption at rural level. Keeping in view the reform of the Power Sector in the country in association with power consumers and civil society people remarkable initiatives had been taken to increase the level of awareness and empowering the consumers. A special of survey of 750 electricity consumers at grass root level in 13 districts conducted and they had been trained also. Many of high officials of the power sector including Officials of the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), civil society people, journalists and others took part in those workshops where issues of transparency and accountability were on top priority.
CAB has been playing an instrumental role in Public Hearings and Open Meetings on gas, electricity and CNG at Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) since its initial endeavor in the country in 2008. The Energy Adviser to CAB Prof. Dr. M. Shamsul Alam, has regularly been attending in the Public Hearings and Open Meetings of BERC and argued for protection of consumer interests as well as fair deals and submitted submissions on tariff proposals of power and energy sector time to time. CAB’s submissions were taken seriously by the BERC and helped in taking judicial directions by the Commission.
Submissions and articles on Power and Energy Sector written by Energy Adviser to CAB, Prof. Dr. M. Shamsul Alam (Attachments):