Briefing Paper: JICA support for 13GW LNG power expansion in Bangladesh
Briefing Paper:
JICA support for 13GW LNG power expansion in Bangladesh – MIDI Masterplan inconsistent with the Paris Agreement –
September 2025
by Fair Finance Guide Japan
In February 2024, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan’s official development assistance agency, started the Moheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development project (hereinafter referred to as “MIDI Masterplan”), a comprehensive development plan for the Moheshkhali and Matarbari region. However, the energy plan outlined in JICA’s MIDI-related documents relies heavily on fossil fuels, including the introduction of 13GW of new liquefied natural gas (LNG) thermal power generation, and is based on an estimation derived from excessive energy demand forecasts. Consequently, it fails to ensure consistency with the 1.5 degree goals of the Paris Agreement, lacks economic rationality, and risks further exacerbating Bangladesh’s fiscal difficulties. This paper raises the following issues and recommendations concerning the energy plan proposed in the MIDI Masterplan…
