Category: Energy and Power

Bangladesh’s renewed effort to attract foreign investment in offshore oil and gas exploration is both necessary and overdue.

With domestic gas production declining, LNG imports becoming more expensive and industries facing persistent energy shortages, the country can no longer afford to leave its offshore potential largely unexplored.

The revised Model Offshore PSC 2026 appears to address several concerns raised by international investors.

More competitive gas pricing, improved cost recovery, longer exploration periods, reduced data costs and greater operational fl exibility could make the latest bidding round more attractive.

The government’s decision to organize roadshows in major energy centers is also a welcome step.

Yet better contractual terms alone will not guarantee success.

The failure of the previous bidding round should serve as a reminder that investors assess more than the fi nancial provisions of a contract.

They also consider political stability, regulatory predictability, institutional effi ciency, decision-making transparency and the government’s ability to honor long-term commitments.

Petrobangla and the relevant ministries need to maintain sustained engagement with potential investors, provide reliable geological information and ensure that approvals and negotiations are handled effi ciently.

The delay in fi nalizing the onshore PSC also sends an undesirable signal.

The offshore bidding round is an important opportunity, but it should not be treated as a single event.

Attracting credible investors requires a consistent policy framework and institutional preparedness.

If Bangladesh can build that confi dence, offshore exploration could strengthen energy security and reduce import dependence.

If it fails again, the country’s energy crisis-and investors’ doubts-will only deepen.

Chinese solar technology companies are seeking to strengthen their presence in Bangladesh as the country prepares for a major expansion of solar power through utility-scale projects, rooftop systems and solar irrigation.

Against this backdrop, global photovoltaic manufacturer Astronergy organized its Astronergy World Tour 2026 – Bangladesh Roadshow in Dhaka, bringing together local industrial groups, renewable energy companies, distributors, strategic partners and other stakeholders.

A key highlight was the launch of Astronergy’s latest ASTRO N7 Pro solar module in Bangladesh.

The module uses upgraded TOPCon 5.0+ cell technology, quarter-cut design and 20BB technology.

It offers a maximum output of 670 watts and effi ciency of up to 24.8%, according to the company.

The initiative comes as Bangladesh seeks to diversify its energy mix, reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels and meet growing electricity demand.

Commerce, Industry, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said Bangladesh needs suffi cient time to overcome the ongoing energy crisis by developing the necessary infrastructure and expanding supply capacity.

‘The challenges posed by the energy crisis are clear.

We need to be given the time required to build the infrastructure and overcome the situation,’ he said.

The minister said increasing the capacity of LNG terminals and drilling new gas wells would help strengthen the country’s energy self-suffi ciency.

‘It will take around two years to make signifi cant progress in this regard,’ he added.

He made the remarks recently while speaking as the chief guest at a district workshop in Sylhet on preparing the annual work plan for fi scal year 2026-27 and evaluating implementation of the previous year’s activities under a modern technologybased agricultural development project for the Sylhet region

Japan’s efforts to restart its nuclear reactors are gaining momentum as the country seeks reliable low-carbon baseload power, greater energy security and relief from rising electricity costs.

However, waste management, public opposition and lengthy licensing procedures could slow the process, according to GlobalData.

GlobalData’s latest report projects Japan’s nuclear power generation to rise from 101.0 TWh in 2025 to 123.3 TWh by 2035.

Nuclear capacity is expected to remain largely fl at through 2029 before modest growth begins in 2030-31.

The company said existing reactors are undergoing safety upgrades and requalifi cation, but unresolved nuclear waste storage issues, lengthy safety reviews and public concerns remain major barriers.

Huawei recently launched what it described as B a n g l a d e s h ‘ s fi rst gridforming smart string inverter and large-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), as the country seeks to expand renewable power while dealing with challenges in maintaining grid stability.

The Chinese technology company unveiled the SUN2000-506KTL-H3 grid-forming smart string inverter and LUTERRA-6261-25 battery energy storage system at an event titled ‘Grid-forming technology powering a greener future’ at Hotel InterContinental, Dhaka.

The event brought together government offi cials, power-sector stakeholders, independent power producers, investors, technical consultants, and engineering, procurement and construction contractors.

Will Yu, managing director of Huawei South Asia Digital Power Department, said combining solar power with battery storage is becoming increasingly important as countries shift towards renewable energy

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission has proposed a Tk 6.48 per kilowatt-hour benchmark tariff for renewable electricity to be procured from merchant power plants, drawing sharp opposition from consumer rights activists have who called the rate unacceptable and unreasonable.

The commission’s technical evaluation committee recommended the tariff at a public hearing held at the International Mother Language Institute auditorium in the capital’s Segunbagicha recently.

Questioning the proposed tariff, Consumers Association of Bangladesh energy adviser M Shamsul Alam said the rate was signifi cantly higher than tariffs for solar power in neighbouring countries.

‘If we take the current exchange rate of Tk 123 to the US dollar, the solar power tariff is Tk 3.80 in India and Tk 3.90 in Pakistan,’ he said, adding that the BERC technical committee had set the tariff at Tk 6.48.

National climate policies are increasingly recognising the health impacts of climate change, but many countries still lack clear measures to address healthrelated loss and damage, according to a new report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the UNEP Copenhagen Climate Centre.

Titled ‘Loss and Damage Beyond Economics: Exploring Health as a Noneconomic Loss in National Climate Planning,’ the report examines how Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs) address climaterelated impacts on health.

The analysis covers physical and mental health, health systems and services, as well as urban health, vulnerability and climateinduced displacement.

Oil and gas companies continue to play a leading role in carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) projects, particularly where the technology supports core operations such as LNG, refi ning, hydrogen production and upstream activities, according to GlobalData.

GlobalData said that as of June 2026, more than 70% of operational and upcoming carbon capture facilities, based on facility count, were linked to energy assets.

The company noted that the sector remains a major participant in CCUS despite scaling back some broader low-carbon investments.

GlobalData’s report ‘Carbon Capture and Storage’ highlights projects including Eni’s Ravenna cluster, ExxonMobil’s Gulf Coast CO2 transport and storage network, and Northern Lights in Norway, jointly owned by Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies.

Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said achieving the government’s 10,000MW solar power target could signifi cantly ease the electricity crisis facing Bangladesh’s industrial sector.

Speaking to journalists after inaugurating a new BSCIC exhibition and sales center at Osmani International Airport, he said the government was prioritizing small-scale, low-investment businesses and environmentally friendly technologies amid the ongoing energy crisis.

The minister said solar power could be utilized for around 3.5-4 hours a day and, with battery storage, could help meet evening peak demand and reduce load-shedding.

He said the government was also preparing plans to use gas and alternative fuels, including rice husk and coal, in industrial areas.

Muktadir said the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise (CMSME) sector currently contributes around 34% to the economy, with the government targeting an increase to 50%.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will visit Trkiye in November to attend the 2026 UN Climate Change Conference (COP31), State Minister for Foreign Affairs Humaiun Kobir said recently.

He disclosed the information during a meeting with Trkiye’s Deputy Foreign Minister Musa Kulaklikaya on the sidelines of the 23rd Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah.

COP31 is scheduled to be held in Antalya, Trkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.

The two sides discussed regional developments and expressed their readiness to strengthen cooperation on issues of mutual interest.