Category: Energy and Power

The ‘Mir Moinul Huq and John Talent Memorial Endowment Fund’ was established on 2 June 2026 at the Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, to honor two distinguished geoscientists: Mir Moinul Huq (1947-2020), a pioneering Bangladeshi petroleum geoscientist, and Professor Emeritus John Alfred Talent (1932-2024), a world-renowned Australian paleontologist.

the fund was created through a donation of BDT 10 million by Dr. Mobinul Huq, Professor of Economics at the University of Saskatchewan, Canada, in memory of his late elder brother Mir Moinul Huq and Professor John Talent, his brother’s M.S. supervisor and mentor.

the Endowment Fund aims to promote academic excellence and advanced research in geology and petroleum geoscience by supporting scholarships, fellowships, ?eld investigations, scienti?c events, academic publications, and modern research facilities.

it is expected to strengthen the Department of Geology’s research capacity and help develop future generations of geoscientists in Bangladesh.

inaugural Ceremony The inaugural ceremony and signing of the Endowment Fund Agreement were held on 2 June 2026 at Professor M.

a. Latif Auditorium, Department of Geology, University of Dhaka.

organized jointly by the Department of Geology and the Dhaka University Geological Alumni Association, the event was attended by Professor Dr.

abdus Salam, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), as Chief Guest, and Professor Dr. Md. Humayun Kabir, Dean of the Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences, as Special Guest.

the ceremony was chaired by Professor Md. Bodruddoza Mia, Chairman of the Department of Geology.

the event was attended by faculty members, researchers, students, alumni, geologists, and distinguished guests. Members of Mir Moinul Huq’s family, representatives of the Mir Moinul Huq Memorial Group, and Mr. Mollah Amzad Hossain, Editor of Energy and Power magazine, were also present. Biography and Legacy Mir Moinul Huq The late Mir Moinul Huq was one of the most distinguished alumni of the Department of Geology, University of Dhaka, and a pioneering ?gure in Bangladesh’s oil and gas sector. Born on 10 May 1947, he completed his geology education at the University of Dhaka in the late 1960s and passed away on 26 August 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is remembered for his scienti?c excellence, professional integrity, and signi?cant contributions to the nation’s energy sector. Mr. Huq began his career in 1970 with the Oil and Gas Development Corporation and later served in Petrobangla and BAPEX in senior technical and leadership positions. He played a key role in the exploration, discovery, and development of several major gas ?elds in Bangladesh, including Titas, Bakhrabad, Habiganj, Rashidpur, Shahbazpur, Fenchuganj, Kamta, Narsingdi, Meghna, and Salda Nadi. His expertise in stratigraphy, basin evolution, structural geology, and petroleum systems earned him recognition as one of the country’s leading geoscientists. He also contributed signi?cantly to the modernization of Bangladesh’s petroleum sector by introducing computer-based mud logging systems and facilitating advanced overseas training for geoscientists. He participated in major reserve reassessment studies, including the reevaluation of the Titas Gas Field, which strengthened national gas resource planning. Beyond exploration, Mr. Huq served as a respected policy expert in hydrocarbon resource evaluation, contributing to energy policy development, reserve estimation, and collaborative initiatives with international organizations.

after retirement, he continued to serve as a consultant to the Hydrocarbon Unit under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and remained active in academia as a part-time lecturer at the University of Dhaka and JahangirnagarUniversity. He also served as a national consultant for UNDP.

throughout his career, Mr. Huq was known for his integrity, humility, professionalism, honesty, and commitment to mentoring young geoscientists. He remains a role model and an enduring source of inspiration for generations of petroleum geologists in Bangladesh. Mir Moinul Huq Memorial Technical Lecture Series To preserve and promote the legacy of Mir Moinul Huq, the Mir Moinul Huq Memorial Technical Lecture Series was established in 2020 following his passing on 26 August 2020. Since its inception, the series has evolved into an international platform for geoscience knowledge exchange, bringing together experts, researchers, and professionals from Bangladesh and abroad.

it serves as a valuable forum for continuing education, professional development, and the sharing of advances across diverse geoscience disciplines.

to date, twenty-?ve online lectures, including annual memorial meetings, have been organized through Zoom. These events regularly attract 60-100 participants and connect geoscientists from Bangladesh, the USA, Canada, Norway, the UK, Germany, Australia, the UAE, Brunei, Peru, and other countries.

the lecture series and its associated memorial activities have been organized by a dedicated coordinating team comprising Mr. Huq’s close friends and professional colleagues. Naz Hussain, one of his closest friends, serves as Chairperson and leads the initiative from Houston, while Nazim Ahmed, a geologist based in Calgary, serves as Chief Coordinator.

the virtual sessions have been supported from Dhaka and moderated by Md. Jasim Uddin, retired geologist of Petrobangla; Monwar Ahmed, retired geologist of Kuwait Oil Company; and Mortuza Ahmad Faruque, former Managing Director of BAPEX. Professor John Alfred Talent, M.S., supervisor of Mir Moinul Huq, was a distinguished Australian paleontologist and stratigrapher whose pioneering work contributed signi?cantly to global geoscience and the development of the Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka.

as a UNESCO Professor in the late 1960s, he introduced advanced paleontological methods and helped train an early generation of Bangladeshi geoscientists.

in 1969, he supervised four M.S. students in Paleontology, including Mir Moinul Huq, providing close mentorship through ?eld and laboratory research. He participated in geological investigations, including micropaleontological studies in the Surma Basin.

although his tenure at Dhaka was brief, he made several return visits to continue supervision and attended thesis presentations. He also taught Invertebrate Paleontology at both B.Sc.

and M.Sc. levels.

internationally, he was recognized for his contributions to Paleozoic stratigraphy and marine paleobiology and served as President of the International Paleontological Association. His mentor-student relationship with Mir Moinul Huq evolved into a lifelong friendship and professional collaboration.

utilization of the Fund Under the Endowment Fund framework, 30% of the fund will be used to establish the Moinul-Talent Graduate Research Laboratory, equipped with modern computers, geoscience software, servers, and multimedia facilities. The fund will also support laboratory maintenance and upgrades.

in addition, an annual memorial technical lecture, preferably in hydrocarbon exploration or petroleum geology, will be organized in honor of Mir Moinul Huq.

the remaining 70% will be invested in a ?xed deposit in a state-owned bank. The income generated will support scholarships and fellowships for PhD, MPhil, and MS/MSc students, geological ?eldwork, laboratory analysis, scienti?c events, publication support, and laboratory operations. Priority will be given to students specializing in petroleum geoscience, while support will remain open to other geology disciplines based on merit and research potential. Governance and Management The Endowment Fund will be administered through a structured governance framework to ensure transparency and accountability.

an Endowment Fund Management Committee, comprising the Chairman of the Department, three faculty members, and Dr. Mobinul Huq as family representative, will oversee the fund. Separate committees will be responsible for student selection and laboratory management, ensuring effective implementation of scholarships, research support, and laboratory operations.

observations The establishment of the Endowment Fund marks a signi?cant milestone in preserving the scienti?c legacy of Mir Moinul Huq and John Alfred Talent, while also fostering future generations of geoscientists. By combining long-term ?nancial sustainability with targeted academic and research support, the initiative is expected to signi?cantly enhance the Department of Geology’s capacity in teaching, research, and innovation. Beyond infrastructure and funding, it symbolizes a continuing bridge between mentorship, international collaboration, and national scienti?c development, ensuring that the contributions of both mentor and mentee continue to inspire and guide future scholars.

The latest electricity tariff hike and the growing burden it places on consumers and businesses re?ect deeper structural problems in the energy sector, including rising dependence on imported fuel, currency depreciation, excess generation capacity, and mounting subsidy requirements. While regulators argue that higher tariffs are necessary to reduce ?nancial de?cits, critics contend that consumers are paying for years of poor planning and inef?ciency.

the article explores the causes, consequences, and policy choices shaping Bangladesh’s increasingly expensive power sector.For millions of Bangladeshis, electricity is no longer merely a public utility – it has become a growing source of ?nancial pressure. The latest increase in electricity tariffs, announced in June after a gap of more than two years, comes at a time when households and businesses are already grappling with persistent in?ation, rising fuel costs, and broader economic uncertainty. While regulators argue that the adjustment is necessary to reduce mounting de?cits in the power sector, critics contend that consumers are once again being asked to shoulder the costs of policy failures, inef?ciencies, and an increasingly import-dependent energy system.

the debate surrounding the tariff hike re?ects a deeper challenge confronting Bangladesh’s energy sector.

once largely self-suf?cient in natural gas, the country now relies heavily on imported fuel, making electricity generation costs vulnerable to global market volatility and exchange-rate ?uctuations.

as the government seeks to balance affordability, energy security, and ?scal sustainability, the latest price increase has renewed questions about who should bear the burden of a power sector struggling with rising costs. Rising Fuel Prices and Electricity Tariff Adjustments The price of cooking fuel is now adjusted every month in line with international market conditions, and fuel oil prices are also revised monthly. Recently, fuel prices were increased because of rising tensions in the Middle East following military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

although the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) and the Power Division had been advocating for electricity tariff adjustments, electricity prices were ?nally increased on June 3, after a gap of 28 months, at the wholesale, retail, and transmission levels. Consumer Concerns over the Price Increase Consumer rights organizations, including the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), along with various business associations, have criticized the price increase.

they argue that the increase is unjusti?ed given the country’s current economic situation, persistently high in?ation, and the failure to provide reliable, quality energy and electricity services. Critics have accused the regulator of disregarding consumer interests and shifting the burden of inef?ciencies in the power sector onto consumers. However, the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has rejected these allegations.

according to the commission, the decision was made with consumer interests in mind and would address only a portion of the sector’s ?nancial de?cit through higher tariffs.

at the same time, BERC instructed institutions in the power sector to reduce electricity generation costs by tackling inef?ciencies, excess generation capacity, and operational irregularities. Commission Order on Electricity Tariff Increases On June 3, 2026 BERC issued an order increasing electricity tariffs at the wholesale, retail, and transmission levels.

the following day, on June 4, a revised order was issued to keep tariffs unchanged for two categories of consumers.

according to the commission’s order, the average retail electricity tariff was increased from Tk 9.11 per unit to Tk 10.40 per unit, representing an increase of Tk 1.29 per unit, or 14.16 percent. The wholesale tariff was increasedfrom Tk 7.00 per unit to Tk 8.39 per unit, an increase of Tk 1.39 per unit, or 19.86 percent. Similarly, the transmission tariff was increased from Tk 0.31 per unit to Tk 0.39 per unit, representing an increase of Tk 0.08 per unit, or 25.81 percent. Protection for Low-Consumption Consumers At the retail level, tariffs remain unchanged for lifeline consumers, de?ned as households using up to 50 units of electricity per month, as well as for consumers using between 0 and 75 units per month.

the updated residential retail tariff structure is below: Separate tariff structures have been approved for medium- and high-voltage consumers. Medium-Voltage Industrial and Commercial Consumers For medium-voltage (11 kV) consumers with connected loads ranging from 50 kW to 5 MW, the ?at tariff has been increased from Tk 10.55 to Tk 12.50 per unit.

the off-peak tariff has risen from Tk 9.50 to Tk 11.25, while the peak-hour tariff has increased from Tk 13.29 to Tk 15.62 per unit.

agricultural Irrigation For low-voltage agricultural irrigation consumers, the tariff has been raised from Tk 5.25 to Tk 6.04 per unit. For medium-voltage irrigation consumers (11 kV), the ?at rate has increased from Tk 6.42 to Tk 7.38 per unit, the off-peak tariff from Tk 5.77 to Tk 6.64, and the peak tariff from Tk 8.06 to Tk 9.23 per unit.

electric Vehicle and Battery Charging Tariffs For low-voltage electric vehicle and battery charging stations, the ?at tariff has been increased from Tk 9.59 to Tk 11.36 per unit.

the off-peak rate has risen from Tk 8.63 to Tk 10.22, the super off-peak rate from Tk 7.71 to Tk 9.09, and the peak-hour tariff from Tk 12.14 to Tk 14.20 per unit. For medium-voltage (11 kV) battery charging facilities, the ?at tariff has been raised from Tk 9.62 to Tk 11.31 per unit, while the off-peak, super off-peak, and peak-hour rates have been set at Tk 10.18, Tk 9.05, and Tk 14.14 per unit, respectively.

institutional and Other Consumers The tariff for educational institutions, religious establishments, charitable organizations, and hospitals under the low-voltage category has been increased from Tk 7.55 to Tk 9.05 per unit. Proposals for Higher Electricity Tariffs Earlier, BPDB proposed increasing the wholesale electricity tariff by between Tk 1.20 per unit (17 percent) and Tk 1.50 per unit (21 percent).

in its proposal, BPDB stated that the projected cost of electricity generation for ?scal year 2026- 27 would be approximately Tk 143,108 crore.

the average generation cost was estimated at around Tk 12.91 per unit.

the utility projected losses of around Tk 56,000 crore if the wholesale tariff remained unchanged. Power Grid Bangladesh PLC, the country’s sole electricity transmission company, also proposed increasing its wheeling charge from 30-31 paisa per unit to 48-49 paisa per unit.

at the same time, all electricity distribution companies submitted applications seeking increases in retail tariffs. BERC held public hearings on May 20 and 21 to discuss the proposed electricity price increases. Previous Electricity Price Adjustments The most recent electricity price increase before this took place on February 29, 2024, through an executive order, which raised retail electricity prices by 8.5 percent.

at the same time, the wholesale tariff was increased by 5 percent, from Tk 6.70 per unit to Tk 7.04 per unit.

an analysis of BPDB data shows that the cost of electricity generation was Tk 2.50 per unit in 2009.

today, that ?gure has risen to Tk 12.91 per unit.

if international fuel prices continue to rise and the Bangladeshi taka depreciates further against the US dollar, electricity generation costs may exceed Tk 13 per unit during ?scal year 2026-27.

in 2009, the wholesale selling price of electricity was Tk 2.37 per unit. Following the latest increase on June 3, it has risen to Tk 8.39 per unit.

at the consumer level, the average retail selling price was Tk 3.73 per unit in 2009; it has now increased to Tk 10.40 per unit. Middle East Con?ict, Rising Energy Prices, and Higher Subsidy Requirements After the beginning of the budget session, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury informed Parliament that the government would need to provide an additional Tk 46,600 crore in subsidies during ?scal year 2025-26 because of rising international prices for fuel and fertilizer.

of this amount, Tk 19,821 crore would be allocated to the electricity sector, Tk 11,170 crore to the natural gas (LNG) sector, and Tk 10,258 crore to fuel oil. Meanwhile, in the proposed budget for ?scal year 2026-27, 9.5 percent of the total Tk 938,000 crore budget has been allocated for subsidies and incentives. A signi?cant portion of this allocation will be directed toward electricity, LNG, and fuel oil.

according to BERC sources, BPDB proposed increasing wholesale electricity tariffs due to a ?nancial de?cit of Tk 56,000 crore. Based on BERC’s approved tariff increase, BPDB’s annual revenue is expected to rise by Tk 12,000-13,000 crore. However, the organization will still face a de?cit of Tk 41,000-44,000 crore, meaning the government will need to continue providing subsidies to address the shortfall. Reactions to the Electricity Price Increase The increase in energy prices has intensi?ed in?ationary pressures across the country. Following the latest rise in electricity tariffs, the cost of living for ordinary households is expected to become even more dif?cult to manage, according to economist Fahmida Khatun.

the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB) also criticized the decision.

its President, AHM Sho?quzzaman, said that much of the de?cit could have been reduced through improved management and by eliminating corruption and irregularities, rather than increasing electricity prices. He argued that the commission’s decision was unacceptable despite these concerns being raised during the public hearings. Professor M.

tamim believes that higher energy and electricity prices will undoubtedly have negative impacts on both ordinary consumers and industries. He stated that electricity generation costs have reached their current level because power plants were built without ensuring fuel supplies, excessive generating capacity was installed beyond actual demand, unnecessary capacity payments were made, and the taka depreciated against the US dollar.

therefore, he argued that consumers should not bear the entire burden.

instead, efforts should be made to reduce generation costs while maintaining government support where necessary. Various chambers of commerce, including the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association, have also described the electricity price increase as unreasonable and called for a reduction in tariffs.

they warned that otherwise Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries would lose international competitiveness while domestic prices would rise further.

economist Masrur Riaz stated that higher energy and electricity prices would undoubtedly fuel in?ation. However, he noted that the government cannot inde?nitely address de?cits through subsidies.

therefore, Bangladesh should prioritize extracting and utilizing its own natural resources, particularly gas and coal, to reduce electricity production costs. Professor Ijaz Hossain observed that an electricity generation cost of 10 US cents per unit is acceptable by global standards. However, due to the depreciation of the Bangladeshi taka against the US dollar, this cost has become excessively high for Bangladesh.

therefore, he argued that the entire burden should not be transferred to consumers. Sha?qul Alam said that electricity generation costs have risen signi?cantly because power plants were established without proper planning and because fuel supplies were not adequately secured.

the sharp increase in dependence on imported energy and electricity has further increased production costs.

although measures should be taken to reduce costs, he cautioned that doing so would not be easy. Former BERC member Mizanur Rahman believes that there is still an opportunity to reduce electricity generation costs by adopting the appropriate fuel mix. He noted that the lowest-cost electricity is generated using domestically produced natural gas, but supply shortages remain a major obstacle.

although electricitygenerated from imported LNG is cheaper than furnace oil-based generation, it is still more expensive than coal. Therefore, he emphasized the need to ensure adequate ?nancing for continued coal imports so that Bangladesh’s coal?red power plants can operate at an 80 percent plant load factor. Conclusion The latest electricity tariff increase is not simply a pricing decision; it is a re?ection of deeper structural weaknesses within Bangladesh’s energy sector. Despite having more than 33,000 MW of installed generation capacity, the country’s highest recorded output remains only around 17,200 MW, highlighting the extent of excess capacity that consumers are helping to ?nance through electricity bills.

industry experts estimate that around 60 percent of generation costs are linked to fuel and operations, while the remaining 40 percent consists of ?xed costs embedded in power purchase agreements.

in its tariff proposal to BERC, BPDB argued that nearly Tk 5.0 of the average per-unit generation cost is attributable to capacity payments. Yet many analysts contend that the larger problem is not the existence of capacity charges themselves, but years of investment decisions that created more generating capacity than the system actually required. Bangladesh’s growing dependence on imported energy – now accounting for roughly 65 percent of overall energy and electricity supply – combined with a more than 40 percent depreciation of the taka against the US dollar over the past ?ve years, has sharply increased electricity production costs.

at the same time, allegations of inef?ciency, weak planning, corruption, and governance failures have compounded the sector’s ?nancial dif?culties.

as a result, future tariff increases alone cannot provide a sustainable solution. Bangladesh will need a broader strategy that combines greater development of domestic gas and coal resources, more prudent investment planning, reduced reliance on costly imported fuels, and stronger oversight of sector institutions. Without such reforms, consumers are likely to face recurring price hikes while the underlying causes of rising electricity costs remain unresolved.

the challenge for policymakers is therefore not merely to balance the books of the power sector, but to restore affordability, ef?ciency, and public con?dence in a system that has become increasingly expensive to sustain.

The government has set a target to raise Bangladesh’s electricity generation capacity to 35,000 megawatts (MW) by 2030, alongside expanding the national transmission network to 25,000 circuit kilometers, Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury announced while presenting the FY2026-27 national budget in Parliament on June 11.

the ?nance minister said the government is implementing a comprehensive strategy to strengthen the country’s energy security through intensi?ed oil and gas exploration, increased domestic energy production, expansion of petroleum re?ning capacity, and diversi?cation of fuel import sources. ‘Our government is committed to building a self-reliant, affordable, uninterrupted, environmentally sustainable and modern power system,’ he told the Jatiya Sangsad.

Bangladesh and Russia have reaf?rmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in energy, trade, i n v e s t m e n t , and education during talks between Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. The discussions reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and explored new opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the energy sector, which remains a cornerstone of the partnership.

the two sides also exchanged views on regional and international developments. Dr. Khalilur is visiting Russia on a three-day of?cial trip at the invitation of his Russian counterpart, marking his ?rst visit to Moscow since assuming of?ce earlier this year. Following their meeting, the two foreign ministers addressed a joint media brie?ng.

State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam has called on member countries of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to work collectively towards building a livable and sustainable planet for present and future generations. He made the call while addressing the secondday session of the GEF Conference held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, recently.

in his speech, the State Minister emphasized that environmental pollution could be signi?cantly reduced through coordinated global efforts and by accurately identifying its sources. He highlighted the importance of international cooperation in implementing environmental protection measures and climateresilient development programmes to ensure sustainable growth.

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.