Category: Energy and Power

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman recently testdrove locally manufactured electric vehicles (EVs) and praised the initiative, assuring full government support for the country’s growing EV industry. He visited an exhibition of electric vehicles organized at his of?ce in Tejgaon by Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. During the visit, Tarique Rahman personally drove a sports utility vehicle (SUV) and a covered van manufactured by the company. Company representatives informed the Prime Minister that Bangladesh Auto Industries Limited is the country’s ?rst electric vehicle manufacturer. They said the vehicles are fully battery-powered, environmentally friendly, and require no fuel oil, while electricity costs remain comparatively low.

Exxon Mobilis continuing its long-term up stream investment strategy despite ongoing market volatility , focusing on production growth, technology deployment and operational ef?ciency. Speaking at CERAWeek 2026, ExxonMobil Upstream President Dan Ammann said global energy demand will continue to rise, supporting the company’s long-term expansion plans. He highlighted the company’s operations in the Permian Basin as a key growth driver, noting that improved recovery technologies could signi?cantly boost production from unconventional reservoirs.

ammann said ExxonMobil is deploying advanced completion technologies, including lightweight proppants, which are already increasing recovery rates by up to 20%.

the company aims to further improve recovery ef?ciency as part of its strategy to strengthen long-term upstream earnings growth.

India’s BJP Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Vardhan Shringla said his country aims to expand its nuclear energy capacity to 100 gigawatts by 2047, as a US executive nuclear delegation visited the country. Speaking on 18 May, Shringla highlighted the recent passage of the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025, calling it the foundation for the planned expansion. ‘In December, Parliament approved the ‘SHANTI Bill,’ which subsequently became the SHANTI Act.

this Act created a framework under which both domestic and foreign investment can be deployed in the nuclear energy sector.

our goal is to scale up nuclear capacity from 8.8 gigawatts to 100 gigawatts by 2047,’ he said. Shringla said India’s fastgrowing economy required reliable baseload power in addition to renewable energy sources, adding that nuclear energy was uniquely positioned to meet that need.

Pof. Halil Hasar, Director of Climate Change, met with Mathilde Laurans, Deputy Executive Director of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, and Program Manager Jihyea Kim at the Directorate of Climate Change.

the meeting focused on strategic discussions regarding the operationalization of the Loss and Damage Fund, one of the most signi?cant climate nance mechanisms established to support countries facing the adverse impacts of climate change. Discussions also addressed improving access to climate ?nance and strengthening implementation processes ahead of COP31. Welcoming the delegation, Director Hasar emphasized that COP31 will represent a critical milestone in advancing the Fund from institutional design to practical implementation on the ground. Describing the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund as a historic achievement of the multilateral climate process, Hasar noted that the consensus reached during the opening day of COP28 played a vital role in building con?dence among parties. ‘The Fund is one of the most important instruments for strengthening international solidarity with countries confronting the destructive impacts of climate change,’ he stated. Director Hasar further stressed that one of the core challenges in climate ?nance remains the timely and effective access to resources. He underlined that the long-term success of the Fund depends on the availability of adequate, predictable, and sustainable ?nancing mechanisms. ‘Under Trkiye’s COP31 Presidency vision, we are committed to supporting a transparent, rapid, and t-for-purpose access framework for the Fund,’ Hasar said. ‘We aim to ensure that COP31 delivers tangible outcomes for those most in need.’ He also reaf?rmed Trkiye’s constructive and inclusive engagement throughout the Bonn climate negotiations, the Pre-COP process, and the Fund’s Board discussions. Referring to the devastating February 6 earthquakes in Trkiye, described nationally as the ‘Disaster of the Century,’ Hasar highlighted the universal nature of climate-related and disaster risks

Lique?ed petroleum gas (LPG) prices have been increased again within just 17 days, with the price of a 12 kg cylinder rising by Tk 212 to Tk 1,940.

earlier on April 2, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had raised the price by Tk 387, setting it at Tk 1,728. With the latest adjustment, the total increase for a 12 kg cylinder in April stands at Tk 599.

in its order issued on April 19, BERC cited higher import costs, including increased freight charges, trader premiums, and rising diesel prices, as the main reasons behind the hike. The regulator noted that freight and premium costs have surged signi?cantly- partly due to tensions involving Iran-leading to higher shipping expenses. While earlier pricing was calculated based on $120 per tonne for freight and premiums, the new rate considers $250 per tonne to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply.

Bangladesh’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector is witnessing a sharp decline in activity, with production down by as much as 30% in recent weeks amid the global energy crisis, rising raw material costs, and frequent load-shedding. Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon, President of the National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB), told a local newspaper that the situation is becoming untenable for many smallscale manufacturers. ‘The energy crisis has pushed many institutions to the brink of closure.

in many cases, production has already dwindled by 25% to 30%,’ Shovon said.

What was a dream over six decades ago is now turning into a reality.

the process started with the loading of fuel in unit 1 of the 2400 MW Roopur Nuclear Power Plant from April 28, a gigantic step to take energy-starved Bangladesh to the world’s elite nuclear power nations. There are now 33 countries which produce nuclear power through 400 reactors accounting for nearly 11% of the global electricity. Bangladesh joins the exclusive club as the 34th nation in the world and the third in South Asia after India and Pakistan. In inaugurating the fuel loading Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam hailed it as a ‘landmark achievement’ and a ‘glorious chapter’ in Bangladesh’s history, heralding the country’s entry into the nuclear era. He rightly emphasized that safety is the ‘?rst priority’ and that all fuel loading activities are being carried out strictly according to international standards. He told the event that after the completion of fuel loading and technical processes, the ?rst unit (1,200 MW) is expected to start commercial generation of 300 MW by late July or early August 2026. He mentioned that the plant will go into full-scale production in stages, aiming for full-capacity operation by the end of 2026 or early 2027. He highlighted that the project represents a major step in building technological capacity, ensuring energy security, and promoting industrialization in Bangladesh.

the minister’s comments are especially welcome.

the BNP government, now into its third month, has not dumped RNPP just because it was started by Sheikh Hasina’s government which had been overthrown by a student-led mass movement two years ago.

it seems the new government is willing to accept the positives of the past government despite political bitterness. RNPP, located in Ishwardi of Pabna along the Padma River, would not have been possible without support from Russia. Divided in two equal units It has a capacity of producing 2,400 megawatts of electricity making up 10 percent of the country’s installed capacity.

it has the sophisticated Reactor Model Generation III+VVER-1200, Fuel type – Uranium enriched to 5%, Fuel supplier TVL (Russia) with operator Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

the Main contractor JSC Atomstroyexport is also from Russia. With a life span of 60 years the cost of the construction has now escalated to USD13b, a lion share of it loaned by Russia. Russia’s state-run TVL Fuel Company, which is providing the fuel, has agreed to take back the spent fuel in addressing a major safety and environmental concern.

the fuel loading may take about 45 days and the reactor core would be warmed up within three months by withdrawing neutron absorbers, according to project of?cials.

electricity will be generated on a trial basis and fed into the national grid within three months. ‘If the commissioning progresses smoothly, we expect to add a minimum of 300 megawatts by July or early August to the national grid. Production will then increase gradually by 10 to 15 percent, reaching the ceiling of 1,200 mw by late 2026 or early 2027,’ Md Anwar Hossain, secretary at the science and technology ministry, was quoted as saying by the Daily Star newspaper.

there is a caveat though. Will the reciprocal trade deal Bangladesh’s interim Yunus government signed with the US just three days before the February 12 national polls stand in the way of RNPP and deprive the people of Bangladesh of enjoying its full bene?ts. The much-maligned agreement has compromised Bangladesh’s trading sovereignty and there is fear that Washington may use it in preventing import of nuclear fuel from Russia because of sanctions imposed on it following the Ukraine war.

the operation of the nuclear plant may be in jeopardy if the agreement prevents the import of uranium or fuel rods from Russia. RNPP is the largest of the country’s mega projects. Some have called it a potential ‘white elephant.’ It has been built despite the criticisms and concerns regarding high ?nancial costs and debt and safety risks. Yet, supporters see RNPP as a cheap and safe source of energy and a way out to cut dependence on import of more expensive fossil fuel.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the recent adjustment in domestic fuel prices was driven by global market volatility, not by any conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Finance in Dhaka recently, the minister said the government had delayed increasing fuel prices for as long as possible to protect citizens, even as pressure mounted on national ?nances. ‘The government held off on raising prices despite depleting funds, prioritizing public interest,’ he said. He noted that fuel prices have risen sharply worldwide, citing examples such as the United States-where prices reportedly doubled-and Sri Lanka, where prices increased by around 25 percent.

the minister emphasized that the decision to raise fuel prices was taken independently to manage the upcoming national budget and ease pressure on the treasury.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has proposed forming a 10-member committee comprising lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties to work collectively in the national interest to ?nd a ‘reasonable solution’ to the ongoing energy crisis in the country. The Prime Minister placed the proposal in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) recently, saying that the committee will include an equal number of ?ve members each from the government and the opposition sides. Speaker Ha?z Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, was in the chair.

the Prime Minister announced names of ?ve treasury bench lawmakers and called upon the opposition to provide ?ve names from their side. The Leader of the House said that the proposed committee would be headed by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood. Four other treasury bench lawmakers are: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan (Laxmipur-4), Moinul Islam Khan Shanto (Manikganj-2) and Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu (Shariatpur-3).

Germany will give Bangladesh greater prominence in future cooperation on nature conservation, a German parliamentary delegation head said here after concluding a weeklong visit focusing on climate and environmental challenges.

the delegation from the German Bundestag Committee on the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection visited Bangladesh from April 7 to 12, according to a press release issued by the German Embassy in Dhaka.

the delegation was led by Deputy Chairman Michael Thews and included members of parliament from different political parties.