Category: Energy and Power

ADNOC Gas, a subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, said recently it had made ‘temporary operational adjustments’ to production due to disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, while continuing operations despite Iranian strikes across the Gulf. ‘Operations are continuing safely across ADNOC Gas plc’s asset base. Following debris falling near certain facilities, inspections con?rmed no injuries and no impact to core processing integrity,’ the company said in a disclosure to the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange.

the ?rm said it had ‘made temporary operational adjustments to production of Lique?ed Natural Gas and Export Traded Liquids’, in response to ongoing shipping disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, which has been effectively blocked by Tehran. ‘The Company is actively collaborating with customers and partners on a transaction-by-transaction basis to ful?ll commitments wherever possible,’ it added

Fuel prices in India increased recently, with premium petrol and industrial diesel becoming more expensive due to ongoing con?icts in the Middle East. According to oil marketing companies, the price of premium petrol went up by about 2.30 Indian rupees per liter, while industrial diesel saw a much bigger jump of around 22 rupees per liter. The rise in fuel costs is linked to instability in the Middle East, which has been affecting global oil markets and supply. Higher industrial diesel prices are expected to impact key sectors such as manufacturing, transport and power generation. This could lead to higher production and delivery costs, and eventually push up the prices of everyday goods, local media reported. However, the government downplayed the increase in premium petrol prices, saying it would have limited impact as only a small portion – around 2 to 4 percent – of consumers use this type of fuel

QatarEnergy has declared force majeure on some of its affected long-term liqui?ed natural gas (LNG) supply contracts, with counterparties including customers in Italy, Belgium, South Korea and China.

the move comes amid production disruptions linked to the US-Israeli war on Iran, which has affected Qatar. Global energy markets have been reeling since the United States and Israel began attacking Iran in late February.

iranian missile and drone strikes across the Middle East, including most notably in the Gulf region, have targeted oil and gas facilities, prompting international condemnation.

the essential closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical Gulf waterway through which about one-?fth of the world’s energy supplies transit, has also spurred mounting concern as energy prices have soared.

Ke eping fuel prices unchanged despite mounting losses is becoming increasingly dif?cult to justify. The government is reportedly losing around Tk 167 crore per day from fuel sales, reversing what had once been a pro?table position. With more than 35 years of experience ?nancing power and energy sector entities at home and abroad, this kind of prolonged loss is unlikely to be sustainable. Without timely price adjustments, the burden on the broader economy will only grow heavier. Mamun Rashid, chairman of Financial Excellence Limited, shared this view in an interview with Energy and Power Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain. He suggested that while some limited subsidy on diesel may still be necessary, the higher costs of petrol and octane should be passed on to consumers to ease the ?scal pressure. Bangladesh’s dependence on imported power and energy has reached 56% and continues to rise. Last year, the country spent around $20 billion on energy imports and related debt servicing.

this year, it was expected to rise to $24 billion, but the Middle East war has disrupted everything. How severe could the crisis become for Bangladesh, and what should be done to keep it manageable? Due to high import dependence, Bangladesh is under signi?cant pressure. Because of the war, energy import costs could increase by $4-5 billion or more.

under these circumstances, there is no room to keep domestic fuel prices unchanged. While diesel prices may not be fully adjusted due to reasons acceptable, there is no alternative but to adjust prices for petrol, octane, and other fuels.

another major challenge is ensuring a suf?cient supply of fuel and LNG. Bangladesh imports about 1.5 million tonnes of crude oil annually, mainly from Saudi Arabia and partly from the UAE, but those supplies are now disrupted.

alternative sources must be explored to keep the Eastern Re?nery operational, though constrained by limited capacity. However, more than 70% of re?ned fuel, especially diesel, is imported from the Far East and Asian countries.

efforts should be made to increase supply from these sources.

about 75% of Bangladesh’s LNG imports depend on Qatar, which is now largely disrupted.

therefore, alongside the spot market, Bangladesh should initiate longterm LNG purchase negotiations with the United States and may be few others.

in the long run, the responsibility for fuel import and distribution should gradually be handed over to the private sector, allowing them to ensure supply based on global market prices. Most importantly, to reduce import dependence, foreign investment in oil and gas exploration should also be accelerated. Political decisions should also be taken immediately to explore, extract, and utilize domestic coal. Following the US-Israel attack on Iran and the spread of war in the Middle East, Bangladesh experienced fuel shortages within the ?rst week.

the government introduced rationing but later withdrew it. Despite various measures, the crisis persists, with people waiting hours in queues at fuel stations. Diesel shortages are affecting irrigation and transport.

the government claims there is no fuel crisis-why are people not convinced? After the war began, public panic about fuel shortages spread quickly. Media reports on limited reserves also contributed to this, and the government’s rationing decision further intensi?ed the situation.

that was a mistake, and it is good that it was withdrawn.

additionally, key positions in fuel import and distribution organizations were ?lled by individuals appointed during the interim government.

they may be honest, but their ef?ciency was questionable.

the current political leadership is mostly relying on them to manage supply and distribution, which may fail to ensure effective results.

although the government claims there is no shortage, people are not convinced because the system(including communication) has failed to demonstrate that effectively.

as a result, queues at fuel stations continue to grow longer.

one month into the war, around 40 energy facilities in nine Middle Eastern countries have been damaged.

the Strait of Hormuz is closed, and now the Houthis have joined the con?ict, raising concerns about disruptions at Bab ElMandeb.

this could disrupt up to 32% of global energy transportation. What is your view? It is uncertain when the war will end, how long its effects will last, or how quickly damaged energy infrastructure can return to full operation. But our energy needs will remain, if not further increase.

therefore, there is no alternative to ?nding new sources. Bangladesh should start negotiations with countries like the United States, Australia, Vietnam, and Indonesia for LNG.

at the same time, Bangladesh already imports re?ned fuel from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and India (also some from the Philippines in the past).

efforts should be made to increase supply from these countries. Discussions could also be initiated with China. For crude oil, Bangladesh must look beyond the Middle East and identify alternative suppliers. Since the duration and long-term impact of the crisis are uncertain, diversifying supply sources is essential.

the government has said it will not raise fuel prices for now.

the state minister for Energy has stated that the government is losing Tk 167 crore per day from fuel sales-about Tk 5,010 crore per month.

according to the pricing formula, fuel prices were supposed to be adjusted from April 1. How justi?ed is the decision not to increase prices? I do not think the decision to keep domestic fuel prices unchanged, despite rising global prices, is appropriate.

the government should reassess and adjust prices from April 1 as per the existing mechanism. While the full cost increase may not need to be passed on to consumers for diesel and kerosene, petrol and octane prices should re?ect the full adjustment.

otherwise, how will the losses be ?nanced? The Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has made pro?ts of around Tk 20,000 crore over the past few years, but if prices are not adjusted, it could fall into losses within 4-5 months. At the same time, the government’s ability to provide subsidies is limited, especially with a revenue shortfall of about Tk 60,000 crore in the ?rst eight months of the current ?scal year. Moreover, adjusting fuel prices is also tied to conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for loan disbursements. While such adjustments may temporarily increase in?ation, they are necessary for long-term economic management.

the government is trying to secure $2 billion in loans from development partners to cover higher fuel import costs. Can borrowing alone manage the price shock? The Asian Development Bank has announced ?nancial support for member countries to cope with energy price volatility caused by the Middle East con?ict. However, I don’t think similar support will be readily available from the World Bank or the IMF speci?cally for fuel imports, other than budgetary support.

the key question is whether loans should be used only for energy imports. Bangladesh also needs budgetary support in other sectors.

therefore, increasing domestic revenue collection is essential-there is no alternative. Bangladesh imports 30-35% of its gas as LNG, with about 75% coming from Qatar. Due to attacks on Ras Laffan, LNG facilities there have shut down, and supply contracts have been suspended under force majeure. What should be done? Relying on a single source for LNG- especially under long-term contracts- was a ?awed strategy.

even deals with Oman and Excelerate Energy are ultimately linked to the Qatari supply. During the interim government period, a long-term LNG contract with Summit Group was canceled.

if their supply source is outside Qatar, the current government should reconsider that agreement.

also, negotiations for importing RLNG via pipeline from India were previously suspended.

the government could restart talks with India’s H-Energy and Bangladesh’s Saudi-Bangla Pipeline Company to diversify supply sources and strengthen energy security. Countries like Japan are increasing coal use due to high oil and LNG prices. What should Bangladesh do? Should it move toward domestic coal extraction? For Bangladesh, ensuring a reliable energy supply is critical for both services and industrial growth. With ambitious employment targets, energy security becomes even more important.

at this stage, Bangladesh cannot afford to prioritize the debate between clean and ‘dirty’ energy over supply security. A political decision should be taken immediately to explore, extract, and utilize domestic coal.

experts can then determine the most environmentally sustainable and economically viable methods for extraction. What steps should Bangladesh take to quickly attract foreign investment for gas exploration? Bangladesh is one of the least explored countries in the region in terms of oil and gas. We need a wartime-level approach for exploration. Relying solely on Petrobangla and BAPEX is not enough.

to accelerate investment, the government can adopt a governmentto-government (G2G) approach.

alternatively, it should quickly ?nalize a new strategy, negotiate with international oil and gas companies, and sign production sharing contracts (PSCs).

exploration drilling should begin within a year.

otherwise, the country’s energy crisis will deepen further

Pakistan’s Renewables First has explored the implications of a lack of of?cial data collection from the country’s distributed solar market segment, which is estimated to have reached over 24 GW of installed capacity by the middle of last year. Pakistan’s energy transition is being mismeasured due to uncounted distributed solar deployments, in turn leading to continued dependency on fossil fuels, according to research from Islamabad-based think tank Renewables First.

the policy paper Electrons In, Hydrocarbons Out: Pakistan’s Quest for Economic and Resource Ef?ciency found that up to $120 billion in future fuel imports could be avoided over the lifetime of the 48 GW of solar modules Pakistan had imported as of June 2025.

the study’s co-author, Nabiya Imran, told pv magazine that with solar module imports into Pakistan now totaling 51.5 GW, around $180 billion in fossil fuel imports could be avoided. Imran added these solar imports could generate a total 1,730 TWh over their lifetime.

The latest escalation in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel, and Iran has once again demonstrated how quickly geopolitical con?icts can disrupt global energy markets.

on February 28, the United States and Israel launched a coordinated attack on Iran, targeting key military and political leaders as well as strategic infrastructure.

iran responded by launching retaliatory strikes on U.S. military installations and diplomatic facilities across the Middle East. More critically, Tehran moved to close the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most vital maritime energy corridors in the world.

the con?ict has now continued for nearly two weeks, and its consequences are increasingly being felt across the global economy, particularly in energy markets.

the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz immediately triggered a shock in global oil and gas markets. Nearly 21 million barrels of oil, about one-?fth of global supply and roughly 20 percent of the world’s LNG shipments pass through this narrow waterway every day.

once shipping activity slowed dramatically, energy supply chains across the world were affected. Global oil prices quickly surged from around $67 per barrel before the war to nearly $97, brie?y crossing the $100 mark as markets reacted to supply uncertainty.

according to several energy analysts, if the con?ict continues or further escalates, oil prices could potentially climb to $150 per barrel, which would have far-reaching consequences for the global economy. However, the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz is not the only factor threatening global energy security.

the war has also intensi?ed risks to energy infrastructure across the Gulf region.

iranian drone and missile attacks targeting energy facilities in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have temporarily halted operations in several oil re?neries, LNG plants, and export terminals.

these attacks have interrupted re?ning activities and reduced LNG export capacity, adding further pressure to already strained global gas markets.

at the same time, several major oilproducing countries in the Gulf have reduced production or temporarily suspended exports as storage facilities ?ll up and shipping routes become increasingly uncertain. Major exporters such as Iraq and Kuwait have faced delays in shipping crude oil to international markets.

at one stage, shipments of nearly 140 million barrels of oil were delayed, equivalent to approximately 1.4 days of global demand.

these disruptions highlight how con?ict in the Middle East canrapidly tighten global supply and push prices upward. Countries around the world have already begun responding to the crisis. Vietnam increased diesel and petrol prices by 21 percent, while Pakistan saw petrol prices rise by nearly 20 percent, reaching around 320 rupees per liter. Governments across Asia are now exploring alternative energy supply routes and increasing their fuel reserves to reduce the impact of supply disruptions.

the Group of Seven ?nance ministers has also discussed the possibility of releasing emergency oil reserves to stabilize global markets.

the current situation also echoes the global energy shock triggered by the Russia-Ukraine War.

that con?ict severely disrupted natural gas supplies to Europe and caused a dramatic surge in LNG prices across global markets.

as European countries competed aggressively for LNG cargoes, many developing economies, including Bangladesh, struggled to secure suf?cient fuel supplies.

the present con?ict in the Middle East risks creating a similar situation, particularly if disruptions to LNG exports from the Gulf persist. For energy-import-dependent countries, especially in Asia, the implications of this war are signi?cant. Bangladesh, which relies heavily on imported fossil fuels and maintains limited strategic reserves, faces particular vulnerability. The ongoing con?ict, therefore, not only threatens immediate fuel supply stability but also raises urgent questions about how Bangladesh should strengthen its long-term energy security strategy in an increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment. Bangladesh’s energy sector has become increasingly dependent on imported fossil fuels in recent years. Nearly 92 percent of the country’s fuel oil requirements are imported, mostly from Middle Eastern producers such as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

on the gas side, Bangladesh imports about ?ve to six million tonnes of LNG annually, primarily from Qatar and Oman. Diesel plays a particularly critical role in the national economy. Approximately 70 percent of the fuel supplied by the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation consists of diesel, which is widely used in agriculture, transportation, and industrial activities. As global diesel prices surged from $88 to around $146 per barrel following the outbreak of the war, Bangladesh faced the prospect of signi?cantly higher import costs. Domestic re?ning capacity also remains limited.

eastern Re?nery Limited supplies only a small portion of the country’s diesel demand by re?ning crude oil imported mainly from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

after the war began, supplies of crude oil to the re?nery were temporarily disrupted. Current reserves can sustain re?nery operations only until the middle of the coming month. Bangladesh also imports a large share of re?ned petroleum products from countries such as Singapore, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Thailand, Oman, and India.

the government has already begun exploring additional sources to avoid potential supply disruptions.

impact on Key Sectors in Bangladesh The energy crisis triggered by the con?ict could signi?cantly affect Bangladesh’s industry, agriculture, transport, and remittance sector. Manufacturing industries, particularly textiles, garments, steel, cement, and fertilizer production, depend heavily on a stable electricity and gas supply. Bangladesh has an installed electricity generation capacity of more than 29,000 megawatts, yet the full capacity is rarely utilized due to gas shortages and maintenance issues. More than 6,000 megawatts of generation capacity remains unused because of insuf?cient gas supply. During peak demand, the effective generation capacity falls to around 18,600 megawatts. When global fuel prices rise, the cost of LNG, furnace oil, and coal imports increases, leading to higher electricity generation costs.

this often results in load-shedding, forcing factories to reduce production hours or temporarily shut down operations. Such disruptions can weaken Bangladesh’s export competitiveness, particularly in the ready-made garment sector.

at the same time, higher energy costs in global markets are increasing prices of basic goods in major consumer markets such as Europe, North America, and Australia.

as households in those countries spend more on essentials, demand for non-essential products like garments may decline, potentially reducing export orders for Bangladesh.

transportation is one of the sectors most immediately affected by ?uctuations in fuel prices.

in Bangladesh, diesel remains the primary fuel used by trucks, buses, and other commercial transport vehicles. When international diesel prices rise, domestic transportation costs increase accordingly. Higher fuel costs raise the expense of moving goods across the country, which in turn increases the prices of food products and other consumer commodities.

as a result, both passenger transport and the distribution of essential goods become more expensive, contributing to broader in?ationary pressure within the economy.

the ongoing energy crisis triggered by the Middle Eastern con?ict has also begun to disrupt the country’s domestic fuel distribution system.

in recent days, long queues have been observed at CNG refueling stations in major citiesas drivers struggle to access suf?cient gas supplies. Many vehicle owners are forced to wait for hours to re?ll their tanks, re?ecting the mounting pressure on the country’s already limited gas resources.

in response, the government has introduced emergency fuel management measures to control demand and ensure a more balanced distribution of available fuel.

under the new policy, private vehicle owners are permitted to purchase only 10 liters of petrol or octane per day. Although this restriction is intended as a temporary measure to prevent shortages and panic buying, it has created considerable inconvenience for commuters, transport operators, and daily wage earners who depend heavily on road transport for their livelihoods.

the situation illustrates how global energy shocks can quickly translate into everyday disruptions in an energy-import-dependent economy like Bangladesh, affecting mobility, economic activity, and the stability of supply systems.

agriculture in Bangladesh is also highly dependent on diesel fuel, particularly for irrigation.

according to the Department of Agricultural Extension, the country currently operates over 754 diesel-powered deep tube wells, more than 1,039,000 shallow tube wells, and about 184,000 low-lift pumps. Reports from rural areas indicate that diesel shortages have already begun affecting farmers. Many farmers must wait for long hours at ?lling stations, while some retailers are charging Tk 8-10 extra per liter due to limited supply. If the diesel shortage persists during critical irrigation periods, agricultural production could be affected. Reduced crop output would inevitably push up food prices and place additional pressure on the country’s food security.

the energy crisis also has direct consequences for everyday life. Rising fuel prices increase transportation costs, which in turn raise the prices of essential commodities such as rice, vegetables, and consumer goods. Higher energy costs also raise production expenses for agricultural products, processed food, and manufactured items.

as a result, households face higher living costs while wages remain relatively stagnant. For low- and middle-income families, this can signi?cantly reduce purchasing power. Rising fuel prices place additional pressure on Bangladesh’s macroeconomic stability.

as energy imports become more expensive, the country must spend more foreign currency, putting pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

at the same time, energy-driven in?ation increases the cost of living and can weaken economic growth. Bangladesh imports about 62 percent of its total energy demand, making the economy particularly vulnerable to global price shocks. The con?ict may also indirectly affect remittance ?ows.

a signi?cant share of Bangladesh’s remittances originates from migrant workers in the MiddleEastern countries.

if regional economies slow down due to prolonged con?ict, employment opportunities for migrant workers could decline, potentially affecting remittance in?ows over time.

the Way Forward: Lessons for Bangladesh Although the Bangladesh government has already undertaken some immediate initiatives to tackle the energy crises, however, these are not adequate.

the current crisis requires strengthening Bangladesh’s energy security strategy through both shortterm and long-term measures. Bangladesh can take some initiatives in the short term In the short term, Bangladesh must ensure an uninterrupted fuel supply. Diversifying import sources is essential. In addition to traditional Middle Eastern suppliers, Bangladesh should explore alternative suppliers such as India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even African producers, including Nigeria.

the government should also ensure smooth ?nancing for fuel imports. State-owned banks and foreign ?nancial institutions that open letters of credit for fuel purchases must be supported with adequate foreign currency liquidity. Managing domestic fuel prices carefully is another priority. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation recorded pro?ts of about Tk 4,700 crore in the ?scal year 2024-25, which may allow the government to temporarily absorb part of the price increase rather than immediately passing the full burden onto consumers. Bangladesh can take some initiatives in the long term In the long term, Bangladesh must adopt a more resilient energy strategy. One important step is building strategic fuel reserves capable of supporting the country during prolonged supply disruptions. Currently, Bangladesh maintains reserves suf?cient for roughly 15-20 days of consumption, which may not be adequate during major geopolitical crises.

expanding renewable energy is also essential. Solar-powered irrigation systems could signi?cantly reduce diesel consumption in agriculture, while investments in rooftop solar and wind energy could diversify the national energy mix. Bangladesh should also consider investing in overseas oil and gas ?elds to secure long-term energy supplies. Strategic participation in global energy infrastructure, such as LNG carriers and oil tankers, could further strengthen supply security. Finally, encouraging private and foreign investment in energy infrastructure will be crucial for building a more resilient energy system.

one of the most important longterm strategies for strengthening energy security in Bangladesh is to accelerate domestic gas exploration and production. Bangladesh still possesses signi?cant untapped natural gas potential both onshore and offshore, particularly in the Bay of Bengal region.

increasing exploration efforts through the national energy corporation Petrobangla and attracting international energy companies to participate in offshore bidding rounds could signi?cantly improve the country’s domestic gas supply in the long run.

Th e operational landscape of the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Bangladesh is currently de?ned by a paradoxical relationship between contractual obligations and ?nancial viability.

as an almost 50 percent contributor to the nation’s energy security, IPPs, particularly those operating Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) based plants, have maintained a commitment to the national grid despite a growing liquidity crisis. Central to this crisis is the Bangladesh Power Development Board’s (BPDB) signi?cant delay in settling outstanding invoices. Reportedly, the arrears have now reached approximately Tk 14,000 crore for HFO-based producers. These payment delays often stretch between eight to ten months.

the long wait has forced many producers into ?nancial insolvency.

as a result, the affected IPPs cannot open Letters of Credit (LC) to import fuel. Subsequently, those IPPs also cannot maintain the ‘Availability Factor’, required as per respective Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).

the root of the legal dispute lies in the imposition of Liquidated Damages (LD) by the BPDB during periods of forced outages.

the PPA provides a mechanism for the BPDB to penalize producers for the non-availability of electricity due to LD outages. Whereas, the IPPs argue and contend that these outages are a direct consequence of the BPDB’s own material breach of contract- speci?cally, the failure to make timely payments. From a legal point of view, this brings Section 13.2(j) of the standard PPA into sharp attention.

this clause entails that if the BPDB fails to settle undisputed invoices within a speci?c grace period, the producer’s contractual obligation to deliver dependable capacity (power) is effectively suspended. Such a period of suspension necessitated by the buyer’s (i.e., BPDB) default, the law advocates that the producer should remain entitled to Capacity Payments without being penalized by LD deductions.

the situation might even be complicated by looking at the role of the National Load Dispatch Center (NLDC).

iPPs are worried about how the BPDB issues instructions to NLDC. When the plantsare already struggling to buy HFO due to not being paid, the BPDB may issue dispatch instructions anyway. Industry experts note this as ‘imaginary demand’.

the goal of these orders could be triggering Liquidated Damages (LD) penalties against the IPPs, and it would be unfair if it were true.

this seems to be using the IPPs’ ?nancial struggles to arti?cially lower the debts. Such actions lead against the ‘Take-or-Pay’ model and make it much harder for the bankability of power projects to stay ?nancially viable.

the legal instance followed in the case of the Barisal Electric Power Company Limited (BEPCL) offers a noteworthy roadmap for resolution. In this precedent, the BPDB ultimately recognized that deductions (Tk 270.7 crore for outages) made during a period (between May and October 2023) of payment default were inconsistent with the protections afforded under Section 13.2(j).

this ultimately led to a reversal decision (by BPDB) of signi?cant LD penalties of BEPCL. But the LD decisions are applied differently to local vs foreign power producers, which may create market instability and threaten future investment.

it emphasizes the necessity for a harmonized legal interpretation for all IPPs that treats payment default as a ‘force majeure-like’ event. To safeguard a sustainable Bangladesh power sector, the Government should ensure that the PPAs are followed strictly and fairly.

the BPDB must cease the ongoing LD impositions for outages caused by its own lack of payment, linked to documented arrears. There should be an independent veri?cation mechanism to ensure that dispatch demands are based on genuine systemic requirements. There should also be a transparent, non-discriminatory approach for both local and foreign power producers to keep the investment climate stable and prevent capital ?ight. Protecting the legal rights (Section 13.2(j), etc.) of IPPs is essential to preserve the integrity of the energy market and for the future of the energy sector. Clearer communication and timely payments will ensure that the national grid remains reliable for everyone

Reliance Industries has signed a 15year green ammonia supply agreement with Samsung CandT Corp., marking one of the largest long-term offtake deals globally. Reliance Industries, India’s largest private-sector company, has entered into a binding long-term supply and purchase agreement (SPA) with Samsung CandT Corp.

of South Korea for the supply of green ammonia over a 15year period starting in the second half of ?scal 2029.

the agreement, valued at more than $3 billion, is among the largest long-term green ammonia offtake deals globally. It supports the development of exportoriented green fuel supply chains aligned with India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission. Reliance Industries is developing an integrated new energy platform spanning renewable generation, energy storage, green hydrogen, and downstream fuels and chemicals. The platform includes in-house manufacturing of solar modules, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and electrolyzer systems.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapan has emphasized the need to develop a comprehensive industrial master plan for Bangladesh’s southern region by utilizing the vast natural gas reserves discovered in Bhola. Speaking at an iftar and prayer event organized by the Barishal Division Journalists Association at the Dhaka Reporters Unity recently, he stressed the importance of strategic planning to ensure proper use of this resource. ‘This valuable resource should be used effectively to expand industrialization in the region, and skilled and thoughtful individuals must come forward with ideas,’ the minister said. He noted that the signi?cant gas reserves in Bhola could serve as the foundation for a coordinated, industry-based development plan across the southern region. Encouraging journalists, he said they could contribute by compiling data and preparing a conceptual development proposal to help guide policymakers.

Bangladesh stands at a critical crossroads in its energy journey.

the ongoing global crisis has not created new vulnerabilities-it has simply exposed long-standing weaknesses that have been ignored for too long. Heavy dependence on imported fuel, slow progress in domestic exploration, and bureaucratic delays have left the country dangerously exposed to external shocks.

the government’s renewed focus on attracting foreign investment in oil and gas exploration is a step in the right direction.

updating Production Sharing Contracts and prioritizing bidding rounds signal intent. But intent alone is not enough.

the real test lies in execution- something Bangladesh has historically struggled with in the energy sector.

one of the most pressing concerns is time.

traditional bidding processes that take two years or more are no longer viable in a fast-changing global energy market. By the time contracts are signed, economic conditions often shift, making projects less attractive or even unfeasible. Faster, more ?exible approaches-such as negotiated deals or streamlined international bidding-must be seriously considered.

equally important is the need to rethink policy rigidity. Keeping promising exploration blocks reserved while seeking foreign investment sends mixed signals to investors. A more pragmatic approach-allowing joint ventures with national entities like BAPEX-could unlock both capital and technical expertise.

ultimately, Bangladesh must recognize that energy security is not just an economic issue-it is a national priority. Without decisive action to boost domestic exploration and reduce import dependence, the country risks deeper economic instability in the years ahead.