Category: Energy and Power

Santos Limited has begun ?rst oil production from Phase 1 of the Pikka development in Alaska’s North Slope, marking an initial step toward full commercial output.

the project, located in the Nanushuk formation, has started early production as part of commissioning work, with output expected to ramp up to around 20,000 barrels per day in the coming weeks.

the operator said production will remain intermittent as systems are gradually brought online, with stabilization expected after supporting facilities become fully operational. Phase 1 of the project includes 28 drilled wells out of a planned 45, along with infrastructure such as a drilling platform, seawater treatment plant, pipelines, and a remote operations center.

once fully ramped up, Pikka is expected to reach peak production of around 80,000 barrels per day in the third quarter of this year.

Draft guidelines for onshore wind-power-project development have been unveiled under a government priority as this clean energy remains under explored despite offering a ‘complementary and increasingly cost-competitive pathway’.

until now, the country generates only 62 megawatts of electricity from wind resources out of total 1,774mw power generated from renewable sources, according to Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development Authority (SREDA).

in the Renewable Energy Policy 2025 the government has set a target of generating 20 per cent of total energy by 2030 and 30 per cent by 2040 from renewable sources. ‘The guideline establishes a clear, transparent, and bankable framework for the development of land-based (onshore) windpower projects,’ SREDA says.

it says Bangladesh possesses modest but commercially viable onshore wind resources, concentrated primarily along its 710-kilometre coastline, in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, and across selected open plain areas in the north-west. Bangladesh market analysis.

Fresh nuclear fuel has been successfully loaded into the reactor core of Unit1 at the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, marking a major milestone toward the plant’s commissioning and electricity generation.

the fuel loading process began on 28 April and involved the sequential insertion of 163 fuel assemblies into the reactor core, according to of?cials involved in the project.

the operation is considered one of the most critical stages before the unit begins commercial power generation.

alexey Deriy, vice president of Atomstroyexport, said the work was carried out in full compliance with the initial core loading program, operational regulations and international nuclear safety standards. ‘The next stage includes installation of the upper reactor unit and integration of all required in-core instrumentation systems,’ he said.

Bangladesh – India Friendship Power Company (BIFPCL) has urgently sought Tk1,000 crore from the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) to maintain uninterrupted operations at the Maitree Super Thermal Power Plant, also known as the Rampal power plant, one of the country’s largest power generation facilities.

in a letter sent to the BPDB chairman on 10 May, the company’s Managing Director Ramanath Pujari said delays in fund release could cause the company to default on loan repayments. He also warned of possible disruptions in coal imports and exposure to demurrage charges.

as banking operations will end on 24 May due to Eid-ulAdha holidays, he requested that the funds be released by 20 May. Attempts to contact the BPDB chairman and power secretary for comments on whether the requested funds would be released were unsuccessful.

India added 2.7 GW of open-access solar capacity in the ?rst quarter of 2026, marking a 170 percent year-onyear increase, according to a report by Mercom India. With the latest additions, the country’s cumulative installed open-access solar capacity reached 32.9 GW by March 2026.

the report said strong growth was driven by supportive state policies, faster project approvals, and accelerated installations ahead of new ALMM compliance requirements for solar components. Rajasthan led new capacity additions during the quarter, accounting for 39 percent of installations, while Karnataka remained the top state in cumulative installed capacity with a 23 percent share.

open-access solar allows large commercial and industrial consumers to purchase renewable electricity directly from off-site solar developers through long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs).

the report also noted rising project costs due to supply-chain disruptions, higher component prices, land constraints, and evolving regulations.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun has said Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis remains the biggest barrier to attracting both local and foreign investment. Speaking at a roundtable discussion in Dhaka recently, Ashik warned that investors would remain hesitant unless the country ensures a reliable supply of electricity and gas. ‘Until we solve the energy problem, it will be very dif?cult for local and foreign investors to believe in the Bangladesh growth story,’ he said.

the discussion, titled Trade Policy, Industrial Protection, Investment Impacts, and Consumer Welfare, was organized by the Policy Research Institute with support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Of?ce at PRI’s Banani of?ce.

ashik said Bangladesh’s main challenge is not the lack of policy but weak implementation. He pointed to persistent delays in clearing raw materials at Chattogram Port despite existing policies aimed at resolving such problems.

The ‘First International Conference on Transitioning Away from Fossil Fuels’ convened in Santa Marta, Colombia, bringing together global leaders and stakeholders to advance international cooperation on climate action and energy transition. Co-hosted by Colombia and the Netherlands, the conference was attended by representatives from 57 countries, along with delegates from local governments, international organizations, civil society, the private sector, and academia. Representing Trkiye at the event, Mehrali Ecer, Deputy Director of Climate Change, participated in the high-level segment alongside an accompanying delegation. Addressing the opening session, Ecer emphasized that Trkiye will guide its COP31 Presidency under the core principles of ‘dialogue, consensus, and action.’ He further highlighted that COP31 would prioritize implementationdriven outcomes, focusing on transforming high-level climate commitments into concrete and measurable actions.

throughout the conference, thematic sessions addressed key issues including energy security, the gradual phase-down of fossil fuel production, economic transformation, and strengthening international cooperation in support of a just energy transition.

in his remarks, Hasar described COP31 as the ‘COP of Implementation,’ emphasizing that the summit will focus on transforming commitments into measurable outcomes. He stated that Trkiye aims to position COP31 as a bridge-building platform that strengthens trust, deepens international partnerships, and delivers practical solutions across sectors. He further stressed that adaptation efforts worldwide remain insuf?cient due to ?nancing gaps, limited implementation capacity, and disconnects between policy frameworks and realities on the ground. According to Hasar, COP31 must become the turning point that moves the international community ‘from commitment to implementation, and from rhetoric to action.’ The outcomes of the Istanbul International Water Forum are expected to contribute to the upcoming UN Water Conference later this year, as well as the 11th World Water Forum and the 20th IWRA World Water Congress, both scheduled to take place in Istanbul in 202

Pakistan’s operational solar power capacity has reached an estimated 51 GW as of March 2026, according to a new report by Renewables First.

the report, titled Pakistan Electricity Review 2026, said the country’s rapid solar expansion is being driven mainly by households, farms, and businesses adopting distributed solar systems to reduce reliance on the national grid.

it noted that distributed solar systems – including net-metered, behindthe-meter, and off-grid installations – generated around 51 TWh of electricity during ?scal year 2025, accounting for nearly 46 percent of grid-supplied electricity. Meanwhile, electricity generation from utilityscale power plants declined for the fourth consecutive year, falling to 135 TWh in FY25 from a peak of 154 TWh in FY22.

according to the report, rising electricity prices and lower solar panel costs are accelerating Pakistan’s transition toward decentralized solar energy.

The launch of Offshore Bidding Round 2026 marks one of Bangladesh’s most important energy initiatives in recent years.

as domestic gas production declines and dependence on costly imported fuels increases, the country has little choice but to intensify efforts to explore its own hydrocarbon resources.

the revised Offshore Model PSC 2026 is undoubtedly a signi?cant improvement. By addressing concerns related to gas pricing, pipeline tariffs, investment protection, and data costs, the government has demonstrated a willingness to learn from the failure of the previous bidding round.

these reforms should make Bangladesh more competitive in the global race for exploration capital. However, an attractive contract alone will not guarantee success.

international oil companies ultimately invest where they see both commercial potential and con?dence in the investment environment. Bangladesh still faces challenges in both areas.

the country’s offshore geological data remains limited and insuf?ciently packaged for investors. Reprocessing existing seismic data and presenting a compelling geological narrative should become an immediate priority.

at the same time, the government must actively market the opportunity through international roadshows, diplomatic engagement, and direct discussions with potential investors.

even if successful bids are received, commercial discoveries may take a decade or more to materialize. Patience, consistency, and policy stability will therefore be essential. Whether that potential becomes reality will depend not only on the PSC terms but also on the government’s ability to build investor con?dence, maintain transparency, and pursue smart energy diplomacy. The opportunity is signi?cant; now the challenge is execution.

Asian Development Bank President Masato Kanda has met Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in Dhaka to discuss Bangladesh’s development priorities during a visit that highlighted funding announcements totalling $5 billion.

the ADB said it intends to provide $5 billion over ?ve years for the Integrated Growth Network Development Initiative, presented by Kanda during the visit. Bangladesh is entering a critical new phase, he said, adding that the ADB will help the country protect hard-won stability, unlock new sources of growth and build a more diversi?ed and resilient economy that delivers better jobs and wider opportunity, according to a press release issued on 25 May. During the visit, the lender signed about $1.4 billion in loans as part of the 2026 annual commitment program.