Category: Energy and Power

Bangladesh has introduced a new regulatory framework to develop utility-scale solar projects on land owned by public agencies, with the Bangladesh Power Development Board acting as the contracting authority.

the government of Bangladesh has introduced a public-private partnership (PPP) framework for developing solar energy projects on land owned by public agencies, aiming to boost green power generation amid ongoing energy shocks.

the Power Division last week unveiled the policy framework titled ‘Guidelines for Development of Renewable Energy Projects Using Land Owned by Government Agencies under PPP Modality’.

under the new model, public land will be made available to private investors for utility-scale renewable energy projects, with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) acting as the contracting authority. ‘The government is pleased to issue these guidelines aiming to facilitate the utilization of unused or underutilized public land for renewable energy deployment while ensuring transparency, competitive procurement, and institutional coordination under the PPP framework,’ the Power Division said.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has sought US$ 2 billion fund from development partners to meet the Bangladesh’s immediate energy needs and safeguard its economic stability. ‘The situation before us demands urgency, solidarity, and decisive action.

immediate support for the most vulnerable countries must be at the top of our collective agenda,’ he told the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) Plus Online Summit recently. ‘We urge the intentional community to respond swiftly and positively to this call,’ he said. Highlighting the ongoing global energy crisis, the Bangladesh prime minister said the crisis is a stark reminder of their shared vulnerability and interdependence. No nation- regardless of its size or strength- can overcome this challenge in isolation, he said, adding that it demands a coordinated and forwardlooking Asian response, to strengthen regional energy security, address immediate supply disruptions, and support the most vulnerable countries

Sr. Joint Secretary of BNP Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has called on the government to intensify efforts to address the ongoing power crisis and reduce nationwide load shedding. Speaking at a reception and award ceremony organized by the Jatiyatabadi Charu O Karushilpi Dal at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy on April 23, Rizvi highlighted the severity of the situation, particularly in rural areas. ‘Load-shedding is occurring across the country, and rural areas are facing severe outages.

the concerned minister and relevant authorities must take strong and coordinated action to tackle the crisis,’ he said.

Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood has said the g o v e r n m e n t was compelled to increase fuel prices due to rising global costs and mounting pressure on imports. Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat in Dhaka recently, he explained that fuel imports require signi?cant foreign currency, leaving the government with little option but to adjust prices to maintain economic stability.

the minister noted that, despite the increase, fuel prices have been set below the actual import cost. Addressing concerns about the impact on consumers, he said many countries- including the United States-have also raised fuel prices in response to global market changes. ‘Following the war situation, we built fuel stocks at higher costs, yet continued selling at lower prices,’ he added

Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) and PRAN-RFL Group have highlighted their strategic partnership aimed at advancing energy ef?ciency and renewable energy adoption in Bangladesh’s industrial sector. The collaboration was showcased at an event on April 12, 2026, where policymakers, development partners and industry stakeholders reaf?rmed their commitment to sustainable industrialization in one of the world’s fastestgrowing economies.

under the partnership, IDCOL has extended BDT 200 crore ?nancing to Kaliganj Agro Processing Limited through its Energy Ef?ciency Financing Window to support improved energy use and operational ef?ciency.

in parallel, IDCOL is ?nancing multiple rooftop solar projects across industries, contributing to a combined installed capacity of around 35 MW

Finland is stepping up efforts to safeguard its coastline from the growing risk of oil spills linked to Russia’s ‘shadow ?eet’ by installing a permanent oil containment system.

the Nordic country has repeatedly raised concerns about ageing and often uninsured vessels operating in the Baltic Sea to bypass Western sanctions.

according to the John Nurminen Foundation, metal rings will be ?xed into the bedrock of islands across the eastern Gulf of Finland.

these will allow rapid deployment of oil containment booms to prevent spills from reaching shorelines and sensitive ecosystems.

the initiative, titled ‘Bolt it for the Baltic Sea!’, is being carried out in cooperation with Finnish authorities. Jukka Pekka Lumilahti, head of rescue operations at the Gulf of Finland Coast Guard, warned that the risk of an environmental disaster remains high due to disruptions in maritime navigation systems.

Enercity has begun constructing a 30 MW wastewater-based heat pump in Hanover as part of its shift away from coal-based district heating, replacing capacity from the Stöcken coal plant alongside biomass, power-to-heat, and waste-heat systems. Hanover-based utility Enercity AG has begun construction on a major heat pump project as it moves away from coal-based district heating. The company, which currently still relies heavily on the Stöcken coal-?red power plant for heat supply, has already shut down the ?rst of its generating units, with the second scheduled to follow in spring 2028.

the retired capacity will be replaced by a mix of biomass and power-to-heat plants, expanded heat recovery from a waste incineration facility, and a series of large-scale heat pumps.

the latest addition is a 30 MW heat pump being built at Hanover’s central wastewater treatment plant in the Herrenhausen district.

The return of load-shedding has once again exposed the deep structural weaknesses of Bangladesh’s power and energy sector.

as temperatures rise and heatwaves intensify, millions of people are facing the familiar hardship of power outages, disrupted businesses, sleepless nights, and falling industrial productivity.

this is happening despite the country having more than enough installed generation capacity on paper.

the real problem is the inability to secure fuel and manage the system ef?ciently. Years of policy mistakes – building power plants without ensuring fuel supply, overdependence on imported energy, delayed tariff adjustments, and neglect of domestic gas and coal exploration – have created the crisis. Massive arrears to power producers, coal suppliers, and LNG importers have further weakened the system, leaving plants idle. Rural areas are paying the highest price, often facing outages of up to 16 hours, while industries and agriculture suffer serious production losses.

this imbalance not only creates economic damage but also deepens social frustration.

there is no quick ?x.

the government must immediately prioritize clearing dues, ensuring coal imports, maintaining electricity imports, and keeping fuel-based plants operational. Planned and fair load-shedding must replace unequal burden-sharing.

at the same time, long-term reforms are essential-faster renewable energy expansion, LNG import capacity growth, stronger transmission systems, and a realistic tariff policy that reduces waste. Summer will last until September, but the crisis could last much longer if decisions continue to be delayed. Without bold and practical action now, power shortages may become a permanent feature of Bangladesh’s economic life.

The government is set to introduce the Electric Vehicle (EV) Industry Development Policy 2025 this year, aiming to promote environmentally friendly transportation and accelerate industrial growth in Bangladesh.

the policy, being formulated by the Ministry of Industries, outlines a comprehensive framework to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy ef?ciency, and create new employment opportunities while transforming the EV sector into a sustainable and competitive industry. According to of?cials, the draft policy has already been completed and published for stakeholder feedback. Sultana Yasmin, Joint Secretary of the Policy, Law, and International Cooperation wing of the ministry, said the policy is expected to be ?nalized within this year following consultations.

The government has introduced sweeping austerity measures, including a 30% cut in fuel use for of?cial vehicles and suspension of interest-free car loans for public of?cials, to rein in expenditure.

a noti?cation issued by the Cabinet Division said the measures will remain in force until further notice. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on April 2.

the government has also suspended foreign training programs and reduced domestic training and hospitality costs by 50%, seminar expenses by 20%, and travel expenses by 30%.

additionally, energy use in government of?ces will be cut by 30%, while purchases of vehicles, vessels, aircraft and computers have been halted. Land acquisition has also been temporarily suspended.

the move is aimed at tightening ?scal discipline amid growing economic pressure.