Energy News

As the country expands its energy infrastructure, efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence and embrace renewables are gaining momentum

Bangladesh, a country burdened with a rapidly growing population, is currently striving for clean and affordable energy security. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 7) aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030 (United Nations in Bangladesh, 2024). Despite significant progress in industrialization, the urgency for clean and sustainable energy has never been more pronounced. The question now arises: is the nation on the right path towards achieving this vision of clean and affordable energy?

Despite achieving record electricity generation, Bangladesh remains vulnerable to energy insecurity due to its reliance on costly fuel imports. A stronger commitment to renewables and regional cooperation is essential for long-term stability

Bangladesh, a country struggling with energy shortages, faces immense challenges in meeting its rising electricity demand and development goals.

Fifteen of the 31 companies have already filed 11 separate writ petitions with the High Court, contesting the PDB’s actions

The PDB took no time to cancel renewable energy deals with 31 companies signed during the Awami League government under the Quick Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 and moved ahead with new tenders, ignoring a High Court verdict.

Bangladesh has slowly been investing in green finance initiatives through the banking sector, but the transition to a society free of fossil fuel use will require a lot more investment in the renewable energy sector

HOUSTON, Jan 24 (Reuters) - Argent LNG, which is developing a 25 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA) LNG facility in Louisiana, has signed a non-binding agreement with the government of Bangladesh to purchase up to 5 million metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually, the company said in a statement on Friday.

That less than one percent power is generated from renewables is simply inexcusable

For years now, we have heard how Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable countries to the adverse effects of climate change, and that we must take the necessary steps in order to safeguard ourselves in the future. A transition to renewable energy was unquestionably among the more important steps that Bangladesh needed to ensure.

Balancing sustainability, equity and industry growth in the RMG sector

Oxfam in Bangladesh in collaboration with The Daily Star organized a roundtable discussion titled "Pathways to a Just Energy Transition : Balancing Sustainability, Equity and Industry Growth in the RMG sector" on January 13, 2025. Here, we publish a summary of the discussion.

Bangladesh produces only 0.8% of total power from sustainable sources

Although the Awami League government made ambitious commitments to renewable energy before being ousted by a mass uprising in August last year, meeting those lofty goals remains a distant dream for the country.

The “revolving letter of credit facility” offered by the WB’s Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (Miga) will provide a 100% guarantee for LCs issued by local and international banks to Petrobangla, ensuring secure and efficient access to LNG supplies

Bangladesh has the highest per capita power subsidies among its four neighbouring countries, including India and Pakistan, despite having the second-lowest per capita consumption, according to an analysis by the Bangladesh Independent Power Producers Association (BIPPA).

BIPPA presented its findings to senior government officials yesterday at Rail Bhaban, near the Bangladesh Secretariat.

Although not a major carbon-emitting country, Bangladesh can emerge as a global pioneer in carbon reduction as a victim of climate change, experts said at an event yesterday.

They said the RMG sector should lead this effort, given its potential to increase the use of renewable energy in factories. Additionally, they called on the government to align policies and set a timeline to achieve net zero emissions.

In a major policy shift, the government would not issue any state sovereign guarantee in favour of privately-owned power plants, discouraging foreign direct investment (FDI) in power generation, sources said.

As part of the move, the government has decided not to ink implementation agreements (IAs) with the future power plant sponsors, according to the sources.

Investors are also fearful of facing fresh challenges regarding the continuation of the work when a new government takes over

The new solar power projects floated by the interim government are riskier for investors as the tender conditions allow for payment delay or defaults alongside power purchase contract cancellation without enough compensation, experts and investors said on Saturday.

The Payra 1,320MW Thermal Power Plant in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali has resumed full production following a roughly two-month halt for maintenance works on its second unit and test runs of a neighbouring facility.

Upon completing maintenance works, which began on November 9 last year, the authorities began generating electricity from the second unit of the coal-fired power plant at around 9:30pm on Tuesday.

The settlement of maritime disputes with Myanmar and India way back in 2013 and 2014, though remarkable for Bangladesh with the establishment of its right to sea resources in the hugely expanded maritime zones, is yet to see any noticeable progress in setting out a work plan in that direction. Clearly, what the international court's verdict implied was a horizon waiting to be explored and exploited with well planned policies and matching actions. Nearly a decade later, progress in exploring and exploiting these resources remains elusive. The promise of a "blue economy" is yet to materialise into actionable policies and programmes.