Category: Energy and Power

A prudent downward readjustment of multilayer import taxes on petroleum products is highly recommended by economists as an option to avoid the Mideast warfueled hikes in fuel prices.

another exigent remedy shown is a cut in BPC pro?t to skirt both tax lowering and price increase for consumer at this hour of incomesapping high in?ation. Global oil prices rose above $119 per barrel Mondaythe sharpest increase since 2022–amid the expanding con?ict involving the United States-Israel duo and Iran.

the tariff readjustment would help keep domestic fuel prices stable without hurting government revenue economists suggest. Some major decisions on energy security may emerge from a vital meeting discussion today (Wednesday’, energy ministry of?cials have said.

The price of jet fuel in Bangladesh has been increased by Tk 89.59 per liter, according to a new announcement by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission. Following the hike, jet fuel prices for domestic routes have risen from Tk 112.41 to Tk 202 per liter. For international routes, the price has been increased from 73.84 cents to $1.32 per liter. BERC said the adjustment was made to align local prices with the international market.

this marks the second price increase in March, after an earlier hike on March 8.

a separate attempt to raise prices on March 18 was brie?y announced but later suspended within minutes.

350.org responded to the World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) latest report, which sounds the alarm on a global climate ‘state of emergency,’ saying that the crisis will worsen the humanitarian toll of soaring oil and gas prices driven by the Iran war. 350.org urged countries to protect their citizens from climate harm and rising costs, and to urgently start transitioning their economies away from fossil fuels.

the WMO’s State of the Global Climate 2025 pronounced 2015-2025 as the hottest 11 years on record, warning that weather has become more extreme on a day-to-day basis, impacting millions of people and causing billions in economic losses.

the report also said that the increase in the annual carbon dioxide concentration in 2024 was the largest annual increase recorded, driven by continued fossil fuel emissions

India added 119 GW of solar module capacity and over 9 GW of cell capacity in 2025, bringing total capacities to about 210 GW and 27 GW, respectively, according to Mercom India. Growth was driven by strong project demand and policy support, although supply-demand alignment is expected later in 2026 as domestic cell production ramps up. India added 119 GW of solar module manufacturing capacity and more than 9 GW of cell capacity in 2025, according to a new report released by Mercom India.

the report attributes the capacity additions to strong demand from India’s utility-scale solar pipeline, residential rooftop targets under the PM Surya Ghar program, and the domestic cell mandate under the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) List II.

Bangladesh is set to mark a major milestone in its energy sector, as fuel loading at the Rooppur nuclear power plant is scheduled to begin on April 7, 2026.

in preparation for the fuel loading, the Bangladesh government signed its ?fth Country Program Framework (CPF) with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on March 18 in Vienna, Austria. Md Anwar Hossain, secretary to the Ministry of Science and Technology, signed the deal on behalf of Bangladesh, while Hua Liu, IAEA deputy director general and head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, signed for the agency.

the agreement, covering the period 2026-2032, is aimed at ensuring the peaceful and secure use of nuclear technology.

Eni SPA has committed to developing deep water gas hubs in Indonesia, with FIDs for the South and North Hubs, including subsea infrastructure and a new FPSO, targeting start-up in 2028. With the sanctioning of the Gendalo, Gandang, Geng North, and Gehem ?elds, Eni is set to deliver up to 2 bscfd of gas and 90,000 b/d of condensate at plateau. Eni SPA will develop deep water gas hubs in Indonesia. The operator has taken ?nal investment decisions (FIDs) for the Gendalo and Gandang gas project (South Hub) and for the Geng North and Gehem ?elds (North Hub) offshore East Kalimantan. Gendalo and Gandang development includes drilling seven producing wells and installing deep-water subsea production systems tied back to the Jangkrik ?oating production unit (FPU).

the development lies in in 1,000- 1,800 m of water

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has recommended that governments, businesses, and households adopt measures such as working from home and avoiding air travel to help ease the burden of soaring energy prices caused by the US-Israeli war with Iran. The con?ict, which began on Feb 28, has sharply driven up global energy costs, raising in?ation concerns worldwide. Brent crude has surged to around US$120 per barrel from about US$70 before the war, while natural gas prices have more than doubled.

in addition to these demand-side measures, the IEA highlighted other suggestions, including lowering highway speed limits by at least 10 km/h and using alternative transport where possible. ‘We have recently launched the largest-ever release of IEA emergency oil stocks, and I am in close contact with governments globally, including major energy producers and consumers, as part of our international energy diplomacy,’ IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said.

The world is facing an energy crisis more severe than the oil shocks of the 1970s and the fallout from the Russia – Ukraine War combined, according to Fatih Birol, head of the International Energy Agency. Speaking at the National Press Club in Canberra, Birol said the crisis triggered by the US-Israel con?ict with Iran has created an unprecedented global energy shock. ‘This crisis is effectively two oil crises and one gas crisis combined,’ he said, highlighting the scale of disruption to global supply. According to the IEA, the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz-a key route for global energy shipments- along with attacks on energy infrastructure, has cut global oil supplies by around 11 million barrels per day, more than double the shortages experienced during the 1970s crises. Lique?ed natural gas (LNG) supplies have also been severely affected, falling by approximately 140 billion cubic meters, compared to a 75 BCM drop following the Ukraine waR

Bangladesh and India on March 16 discussed various aspects of economic cooperation including ways to strengthen energy, transport, and digital connectivity between the two countries. The issues were discussed when Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Ministries Prof Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir.

they also explored new areas for future collaboration in people-centric domains aligned with the respective developmental priorities of the two countries based on mutual interest and mutual bene?t.

in his recent meeting with Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, the High Commissioner held wide-ranging discussions on issues of common interest to strengthen India Bangladesh ?nancial and economic cooperation.

Saudi Arabian oil company Saudi Aramco has offered Bangladesh an alternative route to carry the stranded 100,000 tonnes of crude oil, avoiding the restricted Strait of Hormuz, say sources. ‘Aramco intends to carry the stranded crude oil from the Ras Tanura port to Yanbu port through a 150km pipeline for shipment to Bangladesh via the shorter Red Sea to Bay of Bengal route,’ said a senior of?cial of staterun Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC).

to carry the Saudi crude oil, Bangladesh would have to pay wheeling charge to the tune of around $0.53 per barrel, he said. For carrying the entire 100,000 tonnes, the total wheeling charge would be around $400,000, he also said.

a Bangladesh-bound cargo vessel carrying around 100,000 tonnes of crude oil was now stranded at the Ras Tanura port after loading due to restrictions on the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, said the BPC of?cial.