Category: Energy and Power

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) has raised its trade fi nance facility for Bangladesh to $3.3 billion for fi scal year 2026-27 to support imports of fuel oil, liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) and fertilizer.

The fi nancing marks a sharp rise from $2.23 billion provided in the previous fi scal year.

A fi nancing agreement was signed in Jeddah recently to that end, said a senior offi cial at the Economic Relations Division (ERD).

ERD Secretary Md Shahriar Kader Siddiky and ITFC Chief Executive Offi cer Adeeb Yousuf Al Aama signed the agreement.

According to ERD offi cials, the package includes $2.5 billion for the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) to import fuel oil, $600 million for LNG imports and the rest is for fertilizer imports.

Bangladesh has reached a defi ning moment in its energy journey.

What was once viewed as a temporary gas shortage has evolved into a structural crisis that threatens industrial growth, export competitiveness, and long-term economic stability.

The country’s increasing dependence on imported energy, combined with declining domestic gas production and an uncertain geopolitical environment, has left little room for complacency.

The warning signs are unmistakable.

Domestic gas output continues to fall while demand keeps rising.

Existing LNG infrastructure is operating near its limits, yet new import facilities remain years away.

At the same time, industries are paying higher energy prices without receiving reliable gas or electricity, eroding productivity and discouraging investment.

Bangladesh cannot afford a fragmented approach to energy policy.

Expanding LNG imports is necessary, but it cannot become the only strategy.

Accelerating onshore exploration, encouraging offshore investment, developing stranded gas discoveries such as Bhola, and strengthening the institutions responsible for energy planning must become national priorities.

Delays in infrastructure development only increase future costs and deepen supply risks.

Investors need policy certainty, while energy institutions require greater technical capacity and operational autonomy to execute complex projects effi ciently.

The country’s economic ambitions depend on secure, affordable, and reliable energy.

Without it, Bangladesh risks losing competitiveness at a time when regional rivals are investing aggressively in energy infrastructure.

The energy challenge is no longer simply about producing more gas or importing more LNG.

It is about building a resilient energy system capable of supporting development for decades to come

Prime Minister Tareque Rahman has directed the authorities concerned to prepare a comprehensive national action plan to reduce carbon emissions and maximize Bangladesh’s carbon credit potential, aiming to position the country as a stronger participant in the rapidly growing global carbon market.

The directive came during a climate change meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Offi ce in the Cabinet Division at the Bangladesh Secretariat recently, according to Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasized accelerating the expansion of renewable energy, promoting environmentally friendly technologies in industries, improving energy effi ciency, conserving forests, and implementing large-scale tree plantation programmes to enhance the country’s carbon absorption capacity

Bangladesh’s flagship 150well drilling program has achieved only about onethird of its targeted increase in natural gas production after four years, as declining output from ageing gas fi elds continues to outweigh new production, increasing the country’s dependence on imported liquefi ed natural gas (LNG).

According to offi cial data and a recent presentation submitted to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD), the program has added only 126 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas to the national grid, representing just 35.6 percent of its Development Project Proposal (DPP) target of 353 MMCFD.

Over the same four-year period, however, natural gas production from state-owned fi elds has declined by 140 MMCFD, with output falling to 709 MMCFD as of July 7, 2026, from 849 MMCFD recorded on July 6, 2022, according to Petrobangla.

The program was designed to substantially boost domestic gas production and reduce Bangladesh’s dependence on imported LNG, but production declines at mature gas fi elds have continued to erode much of the gains achieved through new drilling

The government will gradually reduce fuel prices whenever there is an opportunity to do so, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit said on 3 July.

Referring to the latest reduction in LPG cylinder prices, he said the government immediately lowered the price in line with changes in the global situation and will continue making similar adjustments whenever conditions allow.

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with offi cials of the Palli Bidyut Samity and the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) at the Jessore Circuit House, Amit said 98% of the country’s LPG is imported and that the sector is entirely dependent on the private sector.

He said fuel prices had increased due to the conflict in the Middle East, making it diffi cult for many households to manage their expenses.

However, as global conditions improved, the government adjusted LPG prices to provide some relief, he added.

Australia’s rooftop solar market remained resilient in June, with new installations totaling 322MW, despite recording a second consecutive monthly decline, according to the latest Smallscale Technology Certifi cate (STC) market data released by SunWiz.

The June fi gure was 4 percent lower than May and 26 percent below the record 435MW installed in April.

However, SunWiz said it was still the strongest June on record and that solar installations during the fi rst six months of 2026 were running about 41 percent ahead of the same period last year.

The slowdown has been attributed largely to reduced demand for battery systems following changes to the Australian government’s Cheaper Home Batteries Program rebate scheme that took effect on May 1.

The 10-15kW system category remained the largest market segment, accounting for about 118 MW, with strong growth in New South Wales and Queensland.

Meanwhile, larger system categories, particularly 20-30kW and 15-20kW, recorded notable monthon-month declines after driving April’s record performance.

Ten residents of Indonesia’s Bali island have fi led the region’s fi rst climate lawsuit, accusing the government of failing to prevent climaterelated disasters and calling for an immediate moratorium on new fossil fuel projects.

Filed in the Denpasar District Court, the lawsuit links the devastating floods of September 2025-which killed 18 people, affected more than 6,000 households and caused an estimated US$1.6 million in economic losses-to years of climate inaction, environmental mismanagement and poor land-use planning.

The plaintiffs, backed by the PULIHKAN Bali Coalition and 350.org Indonesia, argue that Bali’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions is undermined by continued plans to expand fossil fuel infrastructure.

They are seeking a freeze on new fossil fuel developments and stronger policies to accelerate the transition to renewable energy.

The case names 14 state institutions, including Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, alleging violations of citizens’ constitutional rights to a healthy environment, personal safety and protection from climate-related disasters.

The Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited held a stakeholder meeting on gas distribution system and customer service at Homna in Cumilla recently.

Consumers, journalists and public representatives from the Homna upazila under BGDCL’s Gauripur zone attended the meeting, said a press release.

BGDCL managing director, current charge, Engineer Md Md Emam Uddin attended as chief guest at the meeting, which was presided over by general manager, engineering services, Engineer Md Solaiman.

During the session, Emam Uddin addressed consumer and media complaints regarding gas shortages and low pressure.

General manager, marketing, Engineer Mortuza Rahman Khan resolved queries on customer service.

All fi ve units of the Karnaphuli Hydroelectric Power Station in Kaptai have resumed operation following a rise in the water level of the Kaptai Lake due to several days of heavy rainfall.

The fi ve units have been operating simultaneously, producing a total of 144 megawatts (MW) of electricity.

Confi rming the development, plant Manager Engineer Mahmood Hasan said continuous rainfall and increased rush from upstream signifi cantly raised the water level of the Kaptai Lake, enabling the authorities to operate all fi ve units.

Of the total output, Units 1 and 2 are each generating 32 MW, Unit 3 is producing 30 MW, while Units 4 and 5 are each generating 25 MW, bringing total production to 144 MW.

The plant has an installed generation capacity of 230 MW.

A Qatari liquefi ed natural gas (LNG) carrier was struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz recently, e sscalating concerns over maritime security despite a recent U.S.-Iran agreement aimed at reducing attacks in the strategic waterway.

The LNG vessel, owned by Qatar’s state-run shipping company Nakilat, was reportedly hit while exiting the Strait, forcing its crew to abandon the ship.

A Saudi crude oil tanker also sustained damage in a separate incident, while a third attack was reported by a UK maritime security agency.

The incidents prompted a rise in global energy prices, with crude oil gaining up to 3% and European natural gas futures climbing as much as 6%.

Shipping companies are reassessing transit risks through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and LNG exports.

The attacks underscore continuing uncertainty over maritime security in the Gulf, even as diplomatic efforts continue to stabilize the region and restore normal shipping operations.