Easy Bike: a Savior for the Power Sector of Bangladesh

May 2024

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Published by
Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) 

See the Full Article Here

Key Findings

Bangladesh has around 1.4 million battery-powered auto rickshaws (easy bikes). Most of those are locally made using local and imported technologies. Around 45 million people are involved with manufacturing, repairing, driving, servicing, and charging these easy bikes.

In the absence of adequate public transport systems, easy bikes became a savior for ordinary commuters in urban and rural areas. Around 25 million people use battery-powered auto rickshaws for short-distance commuting.

This transport system contributes around BDT 97,625 crore (USD 9.4 billion) to the national economy, including BDT 7,500 crore (USD 802 million) in the manufacturing industry, BDT 8,000 crore (USD 942 million) in the battery market, and BDT 82,125 crore (USD 7.6 billion) in commuting, servicing and charging services.

These vehicles also help the power sector reduce its stranded assets. The industry consumes 4,905 GWh (million units) of electricity annually, equal to 659 MW of installed capacity. The power sector is currently experiencing 64.2%% of overcapacity, so easy bikes reduce at least 5.64% of the stranded assets.

An easy bike is the cheapest mode of transportation because of the energy cost. It costs BDT 0.97 per km, nine times more affordable than a Sedan car (BDT 8.60/km). The energy cost is cheaper than popular bus services (BDT 2.15/km).

Easy bikes are safer than trucks, buses, and motorbikes on the urban streets. On average, 8.6% of accidents happened by easy bikes in the last seven years (2017-2023), while 27% occurred by trucks, 24.6% by motorbikes, and 15.71% by buses. Battery-powered auto rickshaws are also the greenest vehicles on city streets. They emit 49.56 grams of carbon dioxide per km, a 1,500 cc sedan car 159.16 grams, and a microbus 198.03 grams.

Easy bikes must be safer and greener to compete in the changing world of electric vehicles (EVs). To this end, the Government of Bangladesh (GOB) must take policy actions and schemes.

  1. Legalizing battery-powered three-wheel vehicles with minimum licensing fees and other conditionalities considering their social, environmental, and economic contributions.

  2. Formulating guidelines and building institutions to assess the capacity of EVs, including easy bikes.

  3. Providing short driving courses on easy bikes and other auto-rickshaws for unemployed youths and existing drivers through the Department of Youth Development (DOYD).

  4. Providing battery-powered three-wheeler driving licenses through a short test to ensure that the candidate drivers can comply with essential knowledge and skills of driving such a vehicle in urban areas.

  5. Ensuring financial, technical and policy support to convert lead acid batteries to more efficient lithium-ion batteries.

  6. Undertaking an all-out campaign to charge battery-powered three-wheelers during off-peak hours until solar power systems charge all easy bikes.

  7. Encouraging the investors to take on more projects to install small-scale solar charging stations (SCS) nationwide.

  8. Allocating financial resources in the national budget for installing SCS under the GOB agencies.

  9. Providing financial subsidies of at least BDT 40,000 per KWp of residential rooftop solar systems and Feed-in Tariff (FIT) for the operation of SCS at small-scale (up to 3 MWp) and individual (up to 3 KWp) and

  10. Ensuring Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the easy bike manufacturing factories to ensure proper governance.

Research Officer (Energy)

Work Station: Khulna

Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) is looking for a suitable Bangladeshi candidate for the position of Researcher Officer (Energy) who will research on the Environmental, Social, Economic, and Climatic impacts of Just Energy Transition in Bangladesh. Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae to shuborna@cleanbd.org with a cover letter and two references no later than 18 June 2024, Tuesday, 12:00 PM.

About CLEAN

The Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) is a voluntary organization that works on Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Food Security. CLEAN works with around 50,000 people all over Bangladesh through partners, especially at the climate hotspots and energy hubs. CLEAN also works with partners in the South Asia sub-region as the focal point of the South Asia Just Transition Alliance (SAJTA'). CLEAN grounds its Thematic Pillars and strategies at the community level to ensure the efforts are translated to the local communities and tailored to local realities. CLEAN involves students, academicians, researchers, social leaders, media, local government, and policymakers to create an enabling environment for people and the ecology.


Working Environment

  • Job Station: Khulna city, but frequent visits are required (at least 30% of the active time)

  • Report to the Research Coordinator/ Senior Researcher

  • Coordinate with the Research Team, Communication Team and Campaign Team.

  • Work Days: Saturday - Thursday, except public holidays

  • Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break

  • Duration: Two years initially with an option of extension


Remuneration & Benefits

A monthly package of BDT 20,000- BDT 22,000  payment with other organizational benefits based on the candidate's experience.


Responsibilities 

  • Collecting and analyzing primary and secondary data on the energy infrastructures;

  • Writing articles and essays on the environmental, social, financial, and economic aspects of energy infrastructures; 

  • Organizing the renewable energy projects' Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA).

  • Writing opinion pieces on different technical aspects of terminologies, fuels, and technologies of the energy sector;

  • Writing and presenting research and study reports

  • Reviewing articles and nourishing team members for better output

  • Supporting colleagues for capacity building on just and equitable transition in Bangladesh


Eligibility 

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Electronic, Environment, Forestry, or relevant subjects;

  • At least two years of experience in the field of research;

  • Solid skill in writing articles and essays in English and Bengali;

  • Published at least 1 (one) paper for any reputed institutions or journals and

  • A clear understanding of data management, analysis, synthesizing, and narrative building.

  • Women are highly encouraged to apply for this post.


Application

If you are confident enough to take the challenge, please send a curriculum vitae to shuborna@cleanbd.org with a cover letter and two references no later than 18 June 2024, Tuesday, 12:00 PM. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed as soon as possible.



BDjobs Link: https://jobs.bdjobs.com/jobdetails.asp?id=1258343&fcatId=12&ln=1




Job Title: Communication Officer - IT

Job Station: Khulna, Bangladesh

Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) is looking for a suitable Bangladeshi candidate for the position of Communication Officer-IT who will be able to develop and maintain websites and IT-related actions. Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae to shuborna@cleanbd.org with a cover letter and two references no later than  28 May 2024, Tuesday, 04:00 PM.

About CLEAN

The Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) is a voluntary organization that works on Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Food Security. CLEAN works with around 50,000 people all over Bangladesh through partners, especially at the climate hotspots and energy hubs. CLEAN also works with partners in the South Asia sub-region as the focal point of the South Asia Just Transition Alliance (SAJTA). CLEAN grounds its Thematic Pillars and strategies at the community level to ensure the efforts are translated to the local communities and tailored to local realities. CLEAN involves students, academicians, researchers, social leaders, media, local government, and policymakers to create an enabling environment for people and the ecology.


Working Environment

Job Station: Khulna city (around 70% of the time) but frequent visits are required to the communities (around 30% of the time)

Report to: Communication Coordinator

Coordinate with: Communication Team, Research Team, and  Finance & Admin Team

Work Days: Saturday - Thursday except for the public holidays

Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break

Duration: Two years initially with an option of extension


Remuneration & Benefits

A monthly package of BDT 17,000- BDT 20,000  payment with other organizational benefits based on the candidate’s experience.


Qualification

  • At Least a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science & Engineering, Information Technology, Software Development, or a related field with the potential for Web and WAPP Development 

  • At least 1-2  years of work experience (s) in proper Website development, maintaining, and optimizing using CMS (i.e., WIX, WordPress) and JavaScript

  • Proficiency in HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, and MySQL is highly appreciated

  • Website management including multitasking and time management

  • Strong teamwork skills


Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and upkeep the maintenance of the organizational WEBs and WAPP

  • Ensuring aesthetically satisfying, user-friendly interface, compatibility and security testing

  • Developing visual materials and narratives for the websites

  • Troubleshoot and resolve website issues, including bugs, site crushes, and other technical problems.

  • Connecting the database and maintaining regular backups and updates of the site's software and plugins.

  • Maintaining documentation and communication materials, including press releases, newsletters, blogs, social media posts, and other written content.

  • Work with other colleagues for progress and prosperity


Equality

CLEAN is committed to ensuring equality and valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work. Considering Bangladesh's socio-economic position and conditions, female candidates and candidates from cultural diversity are encouraged.


Application Process

If you are confident enough to take the challenge, please send a Curriculum Vitae to shuborna@cleanbd.org with a cover letter and two references no later than  28 May 2024, Tuesday, 04:00 PM. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

Job Title: Campaign Coordinator

Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) is looking for a suitable Bangladeshi candidate for the position of Campaign Coordinator who will run the campaign and ‍advocacy-related actions on the just and equitable energy transition in Bangladesh.  Interested candidates are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae to shuborna@cleanbd.org with a cover letter and two references no later than  14 May 2024, Saturday, 01:00 PM.


About CLEAN

The Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) is a voluntary organization that works on Climate Change, Energy, Environment, and Food Security. CLEAN works with around 50,000 people all over Bangladesh through partners, especially at the climate hotspots and energy hubs. CLEAN also works with partners in the South Asia sub-region as the focal point of the South Asia Just Transition Alliance (SAJTA). CLEAN grounds its Thematic Pillars and strategies at the community level to ensure the efforts are translated to the local communities and tailored to local realities. CLEAN involves students, academicians, researchers, social leaders, media, local government, and policymakers to create an enabling environment for people and the ecology.


Working Environment

Job Station: Khulna city (around 70% of the time) but frequent visits are required to the communities (around 30% of the time)

Report to: Programme Coordinator

Coordinate with: Research Team, Communication Team, and  Finance & Admin Team

Supervise: Campaign Officers, Volunteers and Campaign Partners

Work Days: Saturday - Thursday except for the public holidays

Working Hours: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM with a one-hour lunch break

Duration: Two years initially with an option of extension


Remuneration & Benefits

A monthly package of BDT 40,000- BDT 45,000  payment with other organizational benefits based on candidate’s experience.


Responsibilities

  • Highly contribute to prepare the Campaign Plans as per the Annual Action Plan;

  • Developing visual materials and narratives for the campaign programs;

  • Organizing innovative demonstration for campaign programs targeting the policymakers, developers, financiers, and decision-makers;

  • Partner Management, Effective communication and monitoring the campaign partners to ensure result-based campaigns;

  • Ensuring proper documentation of the campaigns and project’s progress reports; and

  • Work with other colleagues for progress and prosperity.


Qualification

  • Master's Degree in any relevant field;

  • At least 8-10  years of work experience (s) in campaign and policy advocacy;

  • Program organizing skills, including multitasking and time management;

  • Familiarity with partnership management and quality control; and

  • Strong teamwork skills.


Equality

CLEAN is committed to ensuring equality and valuing diversity and is keen to reflect the diversity of the societies in which we work. Considering Bangladesh's socio-economic position and conditions, female candidates and candidates from cultural diversity are encouraged.


Application Process

If you are confident enough to take the challenge, please send a Curriculum Vitae to shuborna@cleanbd.org with a cover letter and two references no later than  14 May 2024, Saturday, 01:00 PM. Only short-listed candidates will be interviewed.


BDjobs Link: Click here

Fact-finding Report: Conflict Between LandCo and Villagers Over Firm Land in Tetulia, Panchagarh

April 2024
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Published by
Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED)

See the Full Article Here

Background
The Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and its alliance the Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED) strongly support a Just and Equitable Transition which could be achieved by implementing 100% Renewable Energy (RE) in Bangladesh. 

At the same time, to ensure the ‘just transition’, the local environment, natural resources, and livelihood must be protected. Energy transition through grabbing agricultural land and water bodies does not comply with ‘Just’ and ‘Equitable’. In this context, the conflict between villagers and LandCo in Tetulia Upazila of Panchagarh District over a Solar Power Plant has been monitored. There is a strong allegation against LandCo that they grabbed hundreds of acres of cultivable land at the Shekhgos village of Debengarh (Debnagar) Union under Tetulia upazila of Panchagarh district in Bangladesh. It has been learned that the company started to purchase the land in 2017 but now went to possess the land where the villagers cultivated their crops. The company people demolish the villagers' crops, homes, and movable assets to control the land, as reported by some media [1]. Villagers protested it but they didn’t stop, finally, they controlled over 100 acres of land and fenced it. Another media reported that the tension was created artificially to delay the construction work of a solar power plant [2]. The company officials said that they would establish a 100 MW solar power plant there but they started their activities in the name of Seasonal Agricultural Farm (Mousumi Krishi Khamar), which is controlled and guided by LandCo, as reported by other media [3]. Tension was raised in the area regarding the deals of land purchase. According to the villagers, the company officials are trying to grab more land saying their purchased land still needs to be fulfilled.

Bitter Winter to Bite the Power Sector of Bangladesh

December 2023
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Published by
Bangladesh Working Group on External Debt (BWGED)

See the Full Article Here

Summary
The winter season of four months (November - February) has started in Bangladesh while the people are waiting cautiously for the upcoming parliament election in January 2024. As some major parties are yet to participate in the national election, serious political unrest in the country may impact the industrial and commercial sectors seriously. 

Consumption of power depends on those sectors, along with domestic consumption. The current installed capacity of 152 grid-connected power plants under BPDB is 25,951 MW. Other four power plants with a capacity of 729 MW are to start commercial operation by December 2023 (BPDB, 2023b). By June 2024, the installed capacity may reach 29,391 MW, which will increase the stranded asset even more. The Power sector is already suffering from a serious level of overcapacity. In July 2023, 9,747 MW of the installed capacity were kept idle, which was 64% of the peak hour generation. The overcapacity reached 106% (13,343 MW) in November. It may further increase to 149% (15,947 MW) in December 2023 and come down to 93% (13,557 MW) in March 2024 and 90% (13,955 MW) in June 2024.

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