ACC probes 15yrs of power plant deals

Staff Reporter :

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has formally requested detailed information from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) regarding Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs), Implementation Agreements (IAs), and all other related power plant contracts signed between January 2009 and March 2024.

The letter was addressed to the BPDB chairman by ACC Deputy Director Muhammad Zainal Abedin, who is leading a five-member inquiry team, ACC Deputy Director Aktarul Islam confirmed to the media on Monday (12 May).

According to ACC sources, the inquiry is focused on allegations against former state minister for power and energy Nasrul Hamid Bipu and other officials.

The allegations include accepting bribes, approving projects through nepotism, illegal occupation of government land, and embezzlement by securing loans for fictitious projects.

The letter also requested records of all payments made to the power plants under the terms of the agreements, including any outstanding dues.

The BPDB has been instructed to provide any other documents deemed relevant during the investigation.

According to the complaint, the power sector witnessed expenditures amounting to $28.3 billion (nearly Tk 4 lakh crore) over the past 15 years. Of this, an estimated Tk 1 lakh crore is alleged to have been misappropriated under the guise of “capacity charges.