Category: Energy and Power

Bangladesh has expressed strong interest in diversifying its energy sources through cooperation with Canada’s Saskatchewan state, focusing on conventional energy, clean technologies and emerging areas such as small modular reactors (SMRs). High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada Md Jashim Uddin made the remarks during a series of high-level meetings in the province as part of his of?cial visit, according to a message received recently. During his meeting with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, the envoy proposed establishing a BangladeshSaskatchewan framework of cooperation to structure engagement in key areas, including energy, agriculture, agri-food value chains and research collaboration.

the Premier welcomed the proposal and expressed interest in advancing both immediate and long-term cooperation under the framework.

Japan’s net greenhouse gas emissions fell by 1.9% in the ?scal year ending March 2025, dropping to a record low of 994 million tonnes, according to government data.

this marks the ?rst time emissions have fallen below one billion tonnes since 2013, re?ecting a steady longterm decline supported by greater use of renewable and nuclear energy and reduced industrial energy consumption.

in contrast, China-the world’s largest emitter-continues to see overall emissions growth, driven by coal-dependent industrial expansion, despite rapid renewable energy deployment. Similarly, India’s emissions are rising steadily as energy demand grows to support economic development, with coal still dominating its power mix.

in Japan, fossil fuels still accounted for 67.5% of electricity generation, though this share has slightly declined.

the country aims to reduce this to 30-40% over the next 15 years

Lique?ed petroleum gas (LPG) prices have been increased again within just 17 days, with the price of a 12 kg cylinder rising by Tk 212 to Tk 1,940.

earlier on April 2, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) had raised the price by Tk 387, setting it at Tk 1,728. With the latest adjustment, the total increase for a 12 kg cylinder in April stands at Tk 599.

in its order issued on April 19, BERC cited higher import costs, including increased freight charges, trader premiums, and rising diesel prices, as the main reasons behind the hike. The regulator noted that freight and premium costs have surged signi?cantly- partly due to tensions involving Iran-leading to higher shipping expenses. While earlier pricing was calculated based on $120 per tonne for freight and premiums, the new rate considers $250 per tonne to ensure uninterrupted LPG supply.

Bangladesh’s Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector is witnessing a sharp decline in activity, with production down by as much as 30% in recent weeks amid the global energy crisis, rising raw material costs, and frequent load-shedding. Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon, President of the National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB), told a local newspaper that the situation is becoming untenable for many smallscale manufacturers. ‘The energy crisis has pushed many institutions to the brink of closure.

in many cases, production has already dwindled by 25% to 30%,’ Shovon said.

What was a dream over six decades ago is now turning into a reality.

the process started with the loading of fuel in unit 1 of the 2400 MW Roopur Nuclear Power Plant from April 28, a gigantic step to take energy-starved Bangladesh to the world’s elite nuclear power nations. There are now 33 countries which produce nuclear power through 400 reactors accounting for nearly 11% of the global electricity. Bangladesh joins the exclusive club as the 34th nation in the world and the third in South Asia after India and Pakistan. In inaugurating the fuel loading Science and Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam hailed it as a ‘landmark achievement’ and a ‘glorious chapter’ in Bangladesh’s history, heralding the country’s entry into the nuclear era. He rightly emphasized that safety is the ‘?rst priority’ and that all fuel loading activities are being carried out strictly according to international standards. He told the event that after the completion of fuel loading and technical processes, the ?rst unit (1,200 MW) is expected to start commercial generation of 300 MW by late July or early August 2026. He mentioned that the plant will go into full-scale production in stages, aiming for full-capacity operation by the end of 2026 or early 2027. He highlighted that the project represents a major step in building technological capacity, ensuring energy security, and promoting industrialization in Bangladesh.

the minister’s comments are especially welcome.

the BNP government, now into its third month, has not dumped RNPP just because it was started by Sheikh Hasina’s government which had been overthrown by a student-led mass movement two years ago.

it seems the new government is willing to accept the positives of the past government despite political bitterness. RNPP, located in Ishwardi of Pabna along the Padma River, would not have been possible without support from Russia. Divided in two equal units It has a capacity of producing 2,400 megawatts of electricity making up 10 percent of the country’s installed capacity.

it has the sophisticated Reactor Model Generation III+VVER-1200, Fuel type – Uranium enriched to 5%, Fuel supplier TVL (Russia) with operator Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission.

the Main contractor JSC Atomstroyexport is also from Russia. With a life span of 60 years the cost of the construction has now escalated to USD13b, a lion share of it loaned by Russia. Russia’s state-run TVL Fuel Company, which is providing the fuel, has agreed to take back the spent fuel in addressing a major safety and environmental concern.

the fuel loading may take about 45 days and the reactor core would be warmed up within three months by withdrawing neutron absorbers, according to project of?cials.

electricity will be generated on a trial basis and fed into the national grid within three months. ‘If the commissioning progresses smoothly, we expect to add a minimum of 300 megawatts by July or early August to the national grid. Production will then increase gradually by 10 to 15 percent, reaching the ceiling of 1,200 mw by late 2026 or early 2027,’ Md Anwar Hossain, secretary at the science and technology ministry, was quoted as saying by the Daily Star newspaper.

there is a caveat though. Will the reciprocal trade deal Bangladesh’s interim Yunus government signed with the US just three days before the February 12 national polls stand in the way of RNPP and deprive the people of Bangladesh of enjoying its full bene?ts. The much-maligned agreement has compromised Bangladesh’s trading sovereignty and there is fear that Washington may use it in preventing import of nuclear fuel from Russia because of sanctions imposed on it following the Ukraine war.

the operation of the nuclear plant may be in jeopardy if the agreement prevents the import of uranium or fuel rods from Russia. RNPP is the largest of the country’s mega projects. Some have called it a potential ‘white elephant.’ It has been built despite the criticisms and concerns regarding high ?nancial costs and debt and safety risks. Yet, supporters see RNPP as a cheap and safe source of energy and a way out to cut dependence on import of more expensive fossil fuel.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said that the recent adjustment in domestic fuel prices was driven by global market volatility, not by any conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Speaking to reporters at the Ministry of Finance in Dhaka recently, the minister said the government had delayed increasing fuel prices for as long as possible to protect citizens, even as pressure mounted on national ?nances. ‘The government held off on raising prices despite depleting funds, prioritizing public interest,’ he said. He noted that fuel prices have risen sharply worldwide, citing examples such as the United States-where prices reportedly doubled-and Sri Lanka, where prices increased by around 25 percent.

the minister emphasized that the decision to raise fuel prices was taken independently to manage the upcoming national budget and ease pressure on the treasury.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has proposed forming a 10-member committee comprising lawmakers from both ruling and opposition parties to work collectively in the national interest to ?nd a ‘reasonable solution’ to the ongoing energy crisis in the country. The Prime Minister placed the proposal in the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) recently, saying that the committee will include an equal number of ?ve members each from the government and the opposition sides. Speaker Ha?z Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, was in the chair.

the Prime Minister announced names of ?ve treasury bench lawmakers and called upon the opposition to provide ?ve names from their side. The Leader of the House said that the proposed committee would be headed by Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood. Four other treasury bench lawmakers are: State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, ABM Ashraf Uddin Nizan (Laxmipur-4), Moinul Islam Khan Shanto (Manikganj-2) and Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu (Shariatpur-3).

Germany will give Bangladesh greater prominence in future cooperation on nature conservation, a German parliamentary delegation head said here after concluding a weeklong visit focusing on climate and environmental challenges.

the delegation from the German Bundestag Committee on the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection visited Bangladesh from April 7 to 12, according to a press release issued by the German Embassy in Dhaka.

the delegation was led by Deputy Chairman Michael Thews and included members of parliament from different political parties.

Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Ajit Singh recently reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting Bangladesh in expanding reliable, affordable and clean energy to strengthen economic growth and energy security. During a meeting with Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood, the High Commissioner said Canada values its partnership with Bangladesh and is keen to deepen cooperation in the energy sector. Senior Trade Commissioner Debra Boyce and Trade Commissioner Gulam Farhad Quazi were also present at the meeting, where both sides discussed issues of mutual interest.

the discussions centered on strengthening bilateral energy cooperation, with an emphasis on expanding trade and investment. Bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $4 billion in 2025, re?ecting growing economic ties. Canada highlighted its expertise in renewable energy, advanced technologies and capacity building, expressing interest in supporting Bangladesh’s transition toward a cleaner energy mix through partnerships and technical collaboration.

The European Union’s top energy of?cial has warned that the ongoing con?ict involving the United States and Israel with Iran could drive energy prices higher for months-or even years- posing a major challenge for Europe.

eU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen said recently that the current crisis is not a short-term shock but a prolonged and severe disruption. ‘This is not a small, temporary increase in prices,’ he said, adding that the situation could rival the scale of both the 1973 oil crisis and the 2022 energy crisis combined. Jørgensen noted that the war is costing Europe approximately pound 500 million (about $600 million) per day, warning of ‘very dif?cult months, or maybe even years’ ahead