Category: Energy and Power

Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to prepare a comprehensive national action plan to reduce carbon emissions and maximize Bangladesh’s carbon credit potential, aiming to position the country as a stronger participant in the rapidly growing global carbon market.

The directive came during a climate change meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Offi ce in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat recently, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized accelerating the expansion of renewable energy, promoting environmentally friendly technologies in industries, improving energy effi ciency, conserving forests, and implementing large-scale tree plantation programmes to enhance the country’s carbon absorption capacity

Bangladesh’s flagship 150well drilling program has achieved only about onethird of its targeted increase in natural gas production after four years, as declining output from ageing gas fi elds continues to outweigh new production, increasing the country’s dependence on imported liquefi ed natural gas (LNG).

According to offi cial data and a recent presentation submitted to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD), the program has added only 126 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas to the national grid, representing just 35.6 percent of its Development Project Proposal (DPP) target of 353 MMCFD.

Over the same four-year period, however, natural gas production from state-owned fi elds has declined by 140 MMCFD, with output falling to 709 MMCFD as of July 7, 2026, from 849 MMCFD recorded on July 6, 2022, according to Petrobangla.

The program was designed to substantially boost domestic gas production and reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported LNG, but production declines at mature gas fi elds have continued to erode much of the gains achieved through new drilling

The government will gradually reduce fuel prices whenever there is an opportunity to do so, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said on 3 July.

Referring to the latest reduction in LPG cylinder prices, he said the government immediately lowered the price in line with changes in the global situation and will continue making similar adjustments whenever conditions allow.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with offi cials of the Palli Bidyut Samity and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) at the Jessore Circuit House, Amit said 98% of the country’s LPG is imported and that the sector is entirely dependent on the private sector.

He said fuel prices had increased due to the conflict in the Middle East, making it diffi cult for many households to manage their expenses.

However, as global conditions improved, the government adjusted LPG prices to provide some relief, he added.

Australia’s rooftop solar market remained resilient in June, with new installations totaling 322MW, despite recording a second consecutive monthly decline, according to the latest Smallscale Technology Certifi cate (STC) market data released by SunWiz.

The June fi gure was 4 percent lower than May and 26 percent below the record 435MW installed in April.

However, SunWiz said it was still the strongest June on record and that solar installations during the fi rst six months of 2026 were running about 41 percent ahead of the same period last year.

The slowdown has been attributed largely to reduced demand for battery systems following changes to the Australian government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate scheme that took effect on May 1.

The 10-15kW system category remained the largest market segment, accounting for about 118 MW, with strong growth in New South Wales and Queensland.

Meanwhile, larger system categories, particularly 20-30kW and 15-20kW, recorded notable monthon-month declines after driving April’s record performance.

Ten residents of Indonesia’s Bali island have fi led the region’s fi rst climate lawsuit, accusing the government of failing to prevent climaterelated disasters and calling for an immediate moratorium on new fossil fuel projects.

Filed in the Denpasar District Court, the lawsuit links the devastating floods of September 2025-which killed 18 people, affected more than 6,000 households and caused an estimated US$1.6 million in economic losses-to years of climate inaction, environmental mismanagement and poor land-use planning.

The plaintiffs, backed by the PULIHKAN Bali Coalition and 350.org Indonesia, argue that Bali’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions is undermined by continued plans to expand fossil fuel infrastructure.

They are seeking a freeze on new fossil fuel developments and stronger policies to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

The case names 14 state institutions, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, alleging violations of citizens’ constitutional rights to a healthy environment, personal safety and protection from climate-related disasters.

The Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited held a stakeholder meeting on gas distribution system and customer service at Homna in Cumilla recently.

Consumers, journalists and public representatives from the Homna upazila under BGDCL’s Gauripur zone attended the meeting, said a press release.

BGDCL managing director, current charge, Engineer Md Md Emam Uddin attended as chief guest at the meeting, which was presided over by general manager, engineering services, Engineer Md Solaiman.

During the session, Emam Uddin addressed consumer and media complaints regarding gas shortages and low pressure.

General manager, marketing, Engineer Mortuza Rahman Khan resolved queries on customer service.

All fi ve units of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station in Kaptai have resumed operation following a rise in the water level of the Kaptai Lake due to several days of heavy rainfall.

The fi ve units have been operating simultaneously, producing a total of 144 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Confi rming the development, plant Manager Engineer Mahmood Hasan said continuous rainfall and increased rush from upstream signifi cantly raised the water level of the Kaptai Lake, enabling the authorities to operate all fi ve units.

Of the total output, Units 1 and 2 are each generating 32 MW, Unit 3 is producing 30 MW, while Units 4 and 5 are each generating 25 MW, bringing total production to 144 MW.

The plant has an installed generation capacity of 230 MW.

A Qatari liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) carrier was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz recently, e sscalating concerns over maritime security despite a recent U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at reducing attacks in the strategic waterway.

The LNG vessel, owned by Qatar’s state-run shipping company Nakilat, was reportedly hit while exiting the Strait, forcing its crew to abandon the ship.

A Saudi crude oil tanker also sustained damage in a separate incident, while a third attack was reported by a UK maritime security agency.

The incidents prompted a rise in global energy prices, with crude oil gaining up to 3% and European natural gas futures climbing as much as 6%.

Shipping companies are reassessing transit risks through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and LNG exports.

The attacks underscore continuing uncertainty over maritime security in the Gulf, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilize the region and restore normal shipping operations.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo has said Bangladesh’s development must go hand in hand with environmental c o n s e r v a t i o n , emphasizing that economic growth, ecological protection and public well-being should advance together.

Speaking as the chief guest at the Dwijen Sharma Environment Award 2025 ceremony at Bangla Academy recently, the minister said sustainable development can only be achieved by ensuring harmony between development and nature.

The award ceremony, jointly organized by BRAC Bank and Tarupallab, honoured individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.

‘Protecting nature is no longer an option-it is a national responsibility,’ the minister said, adding that the award recipients have demonstrated how individual commitment and innovation can create lasting positive impacts on the environment and inspire wider public participation.

Renewable energy now accounts for more than 30% of global electricity generation, but progress toward achieving universal access to affordable, reliable and clean energy by 2030 remains too slow, according to the 2026 Energy Progress Report.

The report, jointly prepared by the International Energy Agency (IEA), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), UN DESA, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization (WHO), highlights signifi cant advances in renewable power while warning of persistent regional disparities and slowing improvements in energy effi ciency.

Sub-Saharan Africa remains the biggest challenge, with more than 560 million people still lacking electricity and 970 million without access to clean cooking.

The report estimates that the region’s electrifi cation rate must triple to achieve universal energy access by 2030.

Although renewable electricity continues to expand rapidly, the report notes that the use of renewables in the heating and transport sectors remains limited.

It also fi nds that global energy effi ciency improvements slowed to 1.5% in 2023, down from 2.4% in 2022, raising concerns about meeting climate and energy targets.