Category: Energy and Power

The energy ministry’s Power Division has signed memoranda of understanding (MoU) with five ministries and divisions on installing rooftop solar power panels at educational institutions and hospitals across the country. ‘The government took the National Rooftop Solar Program Initiatives to increase renewable energy,’ Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan said as he witnessed the signing at Bidyut Bhaban.

He expected quick completion of the panel installations and their connection to the national power grid to ensure flow the surplus power generated in the panels by February next year.

Officials concerned said the Initiative aimed to increase renewable energy under OPEX model, subscription-like payments for the service where the institutions will not have to bear installation expenses for the solar projects.

Signatory organizations would implement ‘National Rooftop Solar Program Initiative ‘B’ which covers educational Institutions and health facilities.

The introduction of the system would largely save their electricity bills.

As the world stands at a crossroads on climate action, another pivotal UN Climate Conference (COP 30) is set for November 2025 in Belém, Brazil.

In a time of wars, geopolitical tension, and economic uncertainty, it will be a major challenge for participating nations to negotiate and reach a consensus on emission reduction, climate finance, and smart energy transition. For the first time, a country in the Amazon region will host this global event-symbolic given that deforestation in the world’s largest rainforest has accelerated due to urbanization, industrial expansion, and agricultural pressure. COP 30 is expected to focus on climate justice and food system reform, emphasizing a just food transition and redirecting public funds toward sustainable practices.

It will also push for eliminating deforestation and integrating climate, biodiversity, land use, and food strategies coherently and equitably. Globally, there is growing hope that COP 30 will mark a turning point for climate action, driving meaningful commitments and reform.

The discussions, debates, and decisions made in Belém will shape the direction of global climate policy and determine how effectively nations transition to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. What has been Achieved So Far?

For nearly three decades, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has served as the main platform for global efforts to combat climate change.

Through annual Conferences of the Parties (COPs), nations have worked to establish goals, rules, and institutions to guide international climate action. Many observers believe that with the Paris Agreement and its implementation framework now in place, the rule-making phase is largely complete.

The focus must now shift from policy design to concrete implementation. COP 30 Goals and Objectives Marking the 30th anniversary of the UN Climate Conference, COP 30 will take place in the heart of the Amazon- underlining nature’s vital role in stabilizing Earth’s systems. Delegates from about 200 nations are expected to gather to renew emission reduction strategies under the Paris Agreement.

Hosting the event in Brazil highlights the Amazon rainforest as a natural solution for climate stability.

Scientists note that the Amazon absorbs about 25% of global CO2 emissions each year, yet unchecked deforestation continues to threaten this balance. COP 30 is therefore expected to amplify calls for sustainable land use and investment in nature-based solutions, particularly in emerging economies.

The conference comes at a critical time, as nations update their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Research shows that current pledges fall short of limiting global warming to 1.5°C-and global temperatures have already breached that threshold for a full year.

The responsibility now rests on every country to act decisively to protect the planet. Key Takeaways from COP 30 ? Nations will update national emission plans through 2035. ? The Amazon venue will spotlight forest conservation and naturebased solutions. ? Countries face mounting pressure to align with the 1.5°C warming limit. ? Climate finance for developing nations remains a top agenda item. ? The conference will build on previous pledges to accelerate the phase-out of fossil fuels.

To avoid catastrophic warming, global emissions must fall by 43% by 2030, according to climate scientists. More than 170 countries are expected to submit revised climate commitments by 2025, setting the stage for critical negotiations. COP 30 also aims to triple clean energy capacity and cut methane emissions by 30% by 2030, while redirecting fossil fuel subsidies-worth $500 billion annually- toward renewable energy.

Strategies for Energy System Transformation Developing nations are calling for technology-sharing agreements to help leapfrog traditional, carbon-heavy grids.

Advanced economies, in turn, must demonstrate scalable models for retiring fossil fuel infrastructure.

A recent UN report notes that ‘energy security requires diversified renewable networks, not single-source dependencies.’ New accountability frameworks will monitor emission cuts every two years, ensuring countries stay on track with decarbonization while balancing economic growth.

The success of this transformation will depend on industrial policies that include clear, sector-based net-zero roadmaps. Mobilizing Climate Finance and Carbon Markets Achieving global climate goals will require at least $1.3 trillion annually for developing economies by 2035. Private investors will need stronger policy signals to fund renewable projects and carbon removal technologies.

As one UN climate official noted, ‘Blended finance models can unlock four dollars of private investment for every public dollar.’ Under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, carbon markets are expected to expand with stricter transparency and accountability rules.

These systems will enable nations to trade verified emission reductions while supporting sustainable projects-potentially generating $120 billion a year in emerging markets by 2030.

Implementing Robust NDCs The challenge lies in integrating investment frameworks into energy, transport, and agricultural policies with clear timelines for businesses to align operations to net-zero goals. Multilateral development banks are now reforming lending practices to de-risk green projects, allowing solar farms in Nigeria and wind parks in Vietnam to attract international capital. Combined with carbon pricing, such strategies can create predictable environments for innovation.

Innovative Approaches to Global Climate Action If countries can combine human ingenuity with the planet’s natural systems, they can build powerful defenses against environmental threats.

Emerging technologies are making this possible.

Today, it is feasible to track deforestation in real time across 15 million square kilometers of rainforest.

Blockchain systems can verify carbon credits with 98% accuracy, preventing double-counting.

These tools support reforestation projects that store carbon and protect biodiversity.

In Brazil, Amazon ‘bio-industrial’ zones demonstrate how sustainable rubber production can outperform cattle ranching.

Similar initiatives in Indonesia and the Congo Basin are creating 40% more jobs than extractive industries.

AI-powered soil sensors are helping half a million farms manage climate risk, while solar microgrids and agroforestry boost energy access and food security.

Even 3D-printed coral reefs are restoring marine ecosystems while capturing ocean carbon. Conclusion We have only one planet to live on-and it is fast approaching a breaking point due to unchecked emissions and reckless exploitation.

The coming years will decide whether the world can pull back from the brink.

The greatest challenge now lies in convincing major emitters to strengthen their NDCs, commit to real technology transfers, and provide adequate funding for climate action in developing countries. COP 30, held in the heart of the Amazon, offers a historic opportunity for nations to turn promises into progress. Phasing out fossil fuels must be done equitably, with strong support for renewable investments and fair access to finance.

Only through collective commitment and global cooperation can the world bridge the gap between ambition and action. Let us hope that COP 30 delivers decisions rooted in shared responsibility- because our survival, and that of future generations, depends on it.

China Southern Power Grid (CSG) has become a patron of the World Energy Council, joining an exclusive group of leading i n t e r n a t i o n a l corporations and o r g a n i z a t i o n s committed to p r o g r e s s i n g solutions to achieve more and better energy for billions of people and a healthy planet.

The World Energy Council Patron program provides privileged access to an influential global community spanning industry, government, academia and start-ups for knowledge and information exchange to drive global energy agendas.

Established in 2002, CSG is a critical pillar in China’s national energy security network, with responsibility for investment, construction and operation of the electricity grid in southern China, and additional transmission and interconnection projects within and across regions. Covering five provinciallevel regions and around 1 million square km, CSG provides electricity to nearly 300 million people across 5 provinces in China.

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) has urged Korean investors to leverage Bangladesh’s dynamic investment landscape, highlighting the country’s strategic advantages and ongoing pro-business reforms aimed at facilitating foreign direct investment (FDI).

At an investment seminar titled ‘Gateway to Growth: Invest in Bangladesh’, held at a hotel in Seoul recently, a high-level delegation led by Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA, engaged with more than 150 Korean business leaders, industry representatives, and development partners to showcase strategic investment opportunities in Bangladesh. ‘This is the most opportune moment for Korean businesses to align with Bangladesh’s growth trajectory,’ said Mr. Chowdhury in his keynote address. ‘Our government has implemented comprehensive reforms to ensure seamless entry, operation, and expansion for foreign enterprises. We welcome Korean investors to explore Bangladesh as their next growth destination.’ Ashik Chowdhury also assured full institutional support for Korean investors looking to establish or expand their businesses in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s hard-won economic resilience is being tested as the twin pressures of climate change and mounting external debt converge to threaten its financial stability.

The country’s debtsustainability outlook, once viewed as robust, is deteriorating amid intensifying climate disasters, faltering export growth, and tighter international credit conditions, according to a new report launched at an international conference recently.

The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organized the event– A World Beyond Crisis: Climate Solutions That Work — at the BRAC Centre Inn, Dhaka, attended by policymakers, researchers, youth leaders, and practitioners to explore equitable and practical climate solutions. ‘The results from multiple scenarios and stress tests indicate that the economic loss and damage due to climate change pose a significant threat to Bangladesh’s shortrun debt sustainability, particularly when combined with other shocks such as an increase in interest rates for variable interest rate loans or a fall in exports,’ said the report authors, led by CPD Executive Director Fahmida Khatun.

U.S.

Energy giant Chevron is set to begin work on the Jalalabad Compression Project (JBC) next year to harness additional natural gas. ‘Chevron has submitted a budget of its works for the next year, where it included projected costs of the JBC for the first time,’ said a senior Petrobangla official.

He did not disclose how much Chevron intends to invest in the project in 2026, but sources said the JBC might take several years to complete, with costs estimated at around US$75 million. Petrobangla had long been pressing Chevron to proceed with the investment, which was deferred earlier due to piling overdue payments to the US company.

After clearing all outstanding bills – including late payment interest – Petrobangla wrote to Chevron Bangladesh, requesting the resumption of its stalled $75 million investment in the JBC.

In late August, Petrobangla sought a time-bound action plan for the project. ‘Your timely action in this regard will be highly appreciated,’ Mr Rahman wrote to Chevron Bangladesh President Eric M Walker on August 31.

In reply, Mr Walker reiterated Chevron’s commitment to move forward with the project but stopped short of confirming a timeline. ‘I am writing to reiterate the intention of Chevron Bangladesh to proceed with the Jalalabad Compression Project,’ he said.

The program, an initiative between Viridien and Malaysia Petroleum Management, has developed methodologies for interpreting the little explored basin offshore western Peninsular Malaysia ahead of future licensing.

The Selat Melaka 2D survey (data in purple) located in the Langkasuka Basin of Peninsula Malaysia provides the industry with 7,197 km of high-resolution seismic data in a frontier area that previously lacked data coverage. Viridien and Petronas, via Malaysia Petroleum Management (MPM), are working on a geological study of the little-explored Langkasuka Basin in the Malacca Strait offshore area west of Peninsula Malaysia.

Global warming is crossing dangerous thresholds sooner than expected, with the world’s coral reefs now in an almost irreversible die-off, marking what scientists recently described as the first ‘tipping point’ in climate-driven ecosystem collapse.

The warning in the Global Tipping Points report by 160 researchers worldwide, which synthesizes groundbreaking science to estimate points of no return, comes just weeks ahead of this year’s COP30 climate summit being held at the edge of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.

That same rainforest system is now at risk of collapsing once the average global temperature warms beyond just 1.5 degrees Celsius based on deforestation rates, the report said, revising down the estimated threshold for the Amazon.

Also of concern if temperatures keep rising is the threat of disruption to the major ocean current called the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation, or AMOC, which helps to ensure mild winters in northern Europe.

FutureCoal, the Global Alliance for Sustainable Coal, and the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE) have renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 17 October 2025, strengthening their joint commitment to support sustainable coal development across the ASEAN region.

Since the MoU was first signed in 2017, the partnership has delivered two significant joint reports. ‘Clean Coal Technologies in the ASEAN’ demonstrated how investment in upgrading existing coal plants with technologies, such as highefficiency, low-emissions (HELE) technology, can reduce emissions, improve reliability, increase output, and be more economically viable than common alternatives.

The second study, ‘Addressing UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the ASEAN Coal Value Chain’, highlights how coal-related activities in the region support vital progress on the SDGs, improving local community employment, education, and social welfare by building on strong partnerships between the coal value chain and ASEAN businesses and communities.

CEMS-Global USA and CEMS Bangladesh have announced a series of major international trade exhibitions on construction, energy, and water industries, to be held from 13-15 November 2025 at the International Convention City Bashundhara (ICCB), Dhaka.

The expos will be open daily from 10:30am to 8pm.

The events include the 30th Build Bangladesh Int’l Expo 2025 and the 24th Real Estate Expo 2025, marking the 30-year milestone of the Build Series – Bangladesh’s largest and longest-running construction expo. With the construction sector contributing over 8% to GDP and rapid urbanization driving demand for housing and infrastructure, the expos will showcase building materials, technologies, and modern housing solutions. Running alongside will be the 27th Power Bangladesh Int’l Expo, 22nd Solar Bangladesh Int’l Expo, and 7th Dhaka Int’l Lighting Expo, collectively known as the Power Series – Bangladesh’s largest showcase for power generation, renewable energy, and lighting innovations.

The Water Bangladesh Int’l Expo 2025 will feature innovations in water and wastewater management, purification, desalination, and smart water systems, aligning with national initiatives like the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 to promote sustainable resource management.

The series was officially announced on Monday at a press conference at the CEMS Bangladesh Corporate Office by Meherun N Islam, president and group managing director of CEMS-Global, along with senior executives SS Sarwar, Tanveer Qamrul Islam, and Abhishek Das.