"BWGED seeks PM intervention to cancel Dhaka waste-to-energy plant", The Climate Watch, 15 Jul 2026

The Bangladesh Working Group on Ecology and Development has urged Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to intervene directly to cancel the 42.5 MW North Dhaka Waste-to-Energy Power Project in Aminbazar, calling it one of Bangladesh’s most expensive and environmentally high-risk power projects.

The project is being financed by international and foreign investors, including the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, which is providing USD 100 million, or BDT 1,230 crore, and the New Development Bank, which is providing another USD 100 million, or BDT 1,230 crore, loan. CMEC is investing USD 157 million, or BDT 1,931 crore. BWGED said the source of financing for the remaining USD 110 million, or BDT 1,353 crore, has never been publicly disclosed, raising concerns over transparency and accountability.

When operating at full capacity, the plant is expected to generate about 73,576 tonnes of bottom ash, fly ash and particulate matter annually, along with 39.56 tonnes of toxic substances, including heavy metals, dioxins and furans, and 1.17 tonnes of harmful gases such as nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrogen chloride.

At full operation, the North Dhaka Waste-to-Energy Plant is expected to emit about 411,392 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually, BWGED said, adding that this would increase Bangladesh’s overall carbon emissions and undermine climate commitments, including the Global Methane Pledge.

BWGED also raised concerns over compliance with the environmental and social safeguards of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. According to AIIB’s Environmental and Social Framework, meaningful consultation with affected communities must take place before project approval.