Category: Energy and Power

Bangladesh’s renewable energy goals are at risk due to the country’s continued expansion of fossil fuel use, according to a new study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). ‘Without a clear fossil fuel phase-outplan,the countrymay struggle to achieve its clean energy targets, despite setting a 30% renewable energy goal by 2040 under the newly drafted Renewable Energy Policy,’ the report warned. Launched in Dhaka recently, the report titled ‘Revisiting Targets Set for Renewable Energybased Power Generation by 2040: Projection of ‘SMART’ Target and Required Investment,’ highlighted that fossil fuel capacity is projected to exceed actual electricity demand by over 4,000 MW in 2030, creating inefficiencies and reducing space for renewable integration.

By 2040, Bangladesh will need 35,713 MW of renewable power capacity to meet its 30% target, yet current trajectories fall short.

However, CPD warned that fragmented policies and the absence of a fossil fuel exit strategy create uncertainty for both public and private investors.

The partners claim this collaboration could provide enough energy to power the equivalent of approximately 60 new data centers as artificial intelligence (AI) drives unprecedented growth in electricity demand.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) has signed an agreement with ENTRA1 Energy (ENTRA1), which plans to develop up to six gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power generation in TVA’s seven-state service territory.

ENTRA1 is a strategic partner of NuScale Power, a small modular reactor (SMR) developer.

ENTRA1 would drive the deployment, financing, investment, development, execution and management of ‘ENTRA1 Energy Plants’ that have NuScale’s SMRs inside.

ENTRA1 aims to develop and own six ENTRA1 energy plants and sell the output to TVA under power purchase agreements (PPAs).

The partners claim this collaboration could provide enough energy to power the equivalent of approximately 60 new data centers at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) and other e n e r g y – i n t e n s i v e technologies are driving unprecedented growth in electricity demand.

The government will provide funds from the public exchequer for setting up solar panels on the rooftops of all state-owned buildings, aiming to generate 2,000 -3,000 MW of electricity.

However, the state-owned entities, which generate their own income, will have to fund the installation of solar systems on their building rooftops using their own earnings, according to the National Rooftop Solar Implementation Guidelines.

According to the Renewable Energy Policy 2025, the government has set a target of meeting 20 per cent of the total electricity demand from renewable sources by 2030 and 30 per cent by 2040. Presently, only 5.6 per cent (1,563 MW) of the country’s total electricity is generated from renewable sources.

On the other hand, about 56 per cent of the country’s electricity is generated by using natural gas, the reserves of which are rapidly decreasing.

In this situation, the Power Division has formulated a “National Rooftop Solar Program” to ensure energy security and prioritize renewable energy, according to the guidelines.

The program received approval from the Advisory Council in June, targeting the generation of 2,000 MW to 3,000 MW of electricity across the country by utilizing the rooftops of governmentowned offices, hospitals, and educational institutions.

Under the initiative, all the government entities would install solar panels on the roofs of their respective buildings with funds to be provided by the government, officials said.

Arecent Air Quality Life Index (AQLI) report by the University of Chicago’s Energy Policy Institute found that air pollution reduces Bangladesh’s average life expectancy by 5.5 years, making it the greatest external threat to life expectancy and more impactful than smoking or malnutrition.

To address this critical issue, the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), in collaboration with the National Alliance on Cities for Children and Youth and Save the Children in Bangladesh, organized a two-day training program titled ‘Air Action Leaders: From Data to Impact – Training on Air Quality Monitoring and Report Writing’ on 28-29 August in Dhaka recently.

The workshop aimed to enhance the skills of youth in air quality monitoring and report preparation, combining important theoretical modules with practical, hands-on training.

The youth mobilization partners for this program included Prochesta Foundation, Amrai Agami, and the Youth Foundation of Bangladesh.

Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh’s solar energy sector claim the banks’ complex and conditional financing system is a major obstacle to the expansion ofrooftop solar system installation.

However, banks are calling the financing risk very high due to delays in returning investments, despite instructions from the central bank.

A discussion titled ‘Unveiling Solar Rooftop Finance: Towards a Sustainable Energy Future’ at a hotel in Dhaka recently highlighted challenges and prospects of this sector.

Bangladesh Bank Deputy Governor Nurun Nahar said the government will soon unveil a set of incentive programs to expand solar power.

Thediscussionwasjointlyorganizedby the Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable EnergyAssociation(BSREA) andActionAid Bangladesh. Naharsaid, ‘BangladeshBankhasbeen involved in solar plants since 2008.

Rooftop solar is now essential for our country.

A policy of 20 percent solar powerisbeing introducedinEPZs, EZs, and other economic zones. ‘New instructions are being issued for commercial banks and financial institutions.

The BPDB will take the initiative to launch cluster-based franchises in all divisional cities, including Dhaka and Chattogram. ‘An escrow system will be introduced to ensure payment security.’Efforts are under way to launch solar power projects in the public-private partnership (PPP) model using unused railway land,she added.

Alamgir Morshed, chief of Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL), said the company will take the lead in financing rooftop solar projects, though banks’ participation could encourage mixed investments.

Everllence has been commissioned to supply the CO2 compression systems for Net Zero Teesside Power (NZT Power) and the Northern Endurance Partnership (NEP) – two flagship projects within the UK’s government-backed East Coast Cluster decarbonization initiative in northeast England. NZT Power is poised to be the UK’s first commercialscale gas-fired power plant with integrated carbon capture and storage (CCS). NEP will provide the transportation and storage backbone of the East Coast Cluster, gathering CO2 from NZT Power and other industrial sources and permanently storing it in offshore geological formations beneath the North Sea – helping to decarbonize local power generation and industry on Teesside. Developed as a joint venture between bp and Equinor, NZT Power will generate more than 740 megawatts of dispatchable low-carbon electricity, equivalent to the average annual consumption of more than one million UK homes, while capturing up to 2 million tonnes of CO2 per year.

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan recently stressed the need for public awareness for sustainable development saying that citizens must adopt lifestyle changes and reduce overconsumption. ‘We must learn from our past mistakes and chart the course for our future,’ she said while addressing the ‘Bangladesh Sustainability Conclave 2025’ at the Dhaka North City C o r p o r a t i o n Auditorium in the capital.

She also emphasized the need for increased investment in food security, safe food, clean air, and safe water.

She said that it is urgent to formulate and implement time-befitting policies in these areas. ‘Bangladesh must transform into a beautiful, fertile, safe, and green country.

For that, we must move towards sustainability,’ said the adviser.

Mobile courts and drives were conducted recently, simultaneously in the capital and across several districts of the country.

A mobile court led by Sabrina Rahman, Senior Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and Executive Magistrate, was conducted in Dhaka’s Bosila area. During the operation, one institution was fined Tk 20,000 for occupying roads and keeping construction materials in open spaces, while several building owners and contractors were cautioned.

Under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act, mobile courts in Feni, Sirajganj, Kishoreganj, Jhenaidah, Narayanganj, and Dhaka city’s Chawkbazar, Imamganj, and Swarighat areas conducted seven antipolythene drives.

These resulted in 15 cases, fines totaling Tk 62,000, and the seizure of 275 kg of banned polythene.

Additionally, electricity connections of three illegal polythene factories were cut off, and the factories were sealed.

BRAC EPL Investments Ltd (BEIL) has entered into a strategic partnership with Paramount Solar Limited (PSL) recently, with BEIL serving as the corporate adviser to support the solar company’s expansion in Bangladesh’s renewable energy sector.

The collaboration is expected to help PSL raise funds to scale its operations, invest in advanced solar technologies, and expand access to clean energy solutions across the country, according to a press release. “We are delighted to work with Paramount Solar Limited as they explore fund-raising options to further expand and grow their business operations,” said Syed Rashed Hussain, chief executive officer of BEIL.

Mohammad Jahidul Abedin, director and chief financial officer of PSL, described the move as a milestone for the company. PSL, one of the fast-growing renewable energy companies in Bangladesh, is focused on delivering clean, affordable, and efficient solar power solutions.

The company aims to empower communities and industries by expanding access to reliable solar energy, supporting the nation’s shift toward a low-carbon future.

Adani Power and Torrent Power have bagged orders to cumulatively set up 2,400 megawatt (MW) coal power plants from the Indian central state of Madhya Pradesh, the two companies said in separate statements.

MP Power Management Company has awarded a contract to Torrent Power to supply 1,600 MW from a new coal-based power plant that would require an investment of 220 billion rupees ($2.51 billion), according to a statement by the company.

Adani Power would supply power in the central Indian state from a new 800 MW thermal power plant with an investment of 105 billion rupees ($1.20 billion), its fourth major power supply order in the last 12 months, the company said in a separate statement. PrimeMinisterNarendraModi’s government aims to lift coalbased power capacity by 80 GW to more than 290 GW by 2032, an increase of over onethird, to ensure a reliable, round-the-clock supply.