Category: Energy and Power

Southeast Asia has the potential to tap into abundant renewable resources to satisfy its rapidly increasing electricity demand, according to a new report of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

in 2024, electricity consumption in the region surged by over 7%, nearly twice the global average, and is projected to double again by 2050.

this surge is fuelled by swift urbanization, industrial expansion, and improving living standards. Southeast Asia has an estimated 20TW of untapped solar and wind potential.

the report suggests that even a fraction of this could significantly contribute to meeting the soaring demand while enhancing energy security. Currently, many countries in the region are heavily reliant on imported fuels, making them vulnerable to global market volatility and supply disruptions. With eight of ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states setting net-zero emissions targets, policy instruments such as competitive auctions and direct power purchase agreements are being employed to foster renewable adoption.

according to the IEA report, the challenges associated with integrating variable renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are manageable.

Energy experts are worried about Bangladesh not having an energy transition roadmap yet, warning that the acute energy crisis is likely to persist. The experts, however, had different views about what constituted an energy transition. Some of them are in favor of switching to renewable energy, while others believe it could be adopting nuclear energy or any other alternative source of energy. They shared the observation at a seminar titled ‘Energy Transition: Is Bangladesh on the Right Track?’ organized by the Cosmos Foundation at the Cosmos Centre in Dhaka recently. Concerned by endless corruption in the fossil fuel sector, the energy experts viewed the energy transition as an opportunity to ensure accountability and energy efficiency with the end goal of establishing energy and consumer justice. ‘Energy transition should ideally begin with ensuring energy justice and consumer rights,’ said M Shamsul Alam, energy adviser, Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB). He was surprised by the fact that the Anti-Corruption Commission had yet to bring corruption charges against anyone in the energy sector since the interim government assumed power, promising change and transparency.

Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Limited (EEBL) has expanded its corporate social r e s p o n s i b i l i t y (CSR) efforts with the launch of its Tree Plantation Program 2025, held at the Excelerate HOPE Hospital in Moheshkhali. The initiative is part of EEBL’s broader commitment to sustainability, community engagement, and environmental protection in Bangladesh.

the program, inaugurated on September 3, 2025, was attended by senior officials, including Ambassador (ret.) Peter Haas, Strategic Advisor of Excelerate Energy; Mr. Habib Bhuiyan, Country Manager of EEBL; Mr.

atiq Islam, Finance Director; Capt. Harunur Rashid, Terminal Manager, and representatives from Shakti Foundation and Hope Foundation. During the event, several indigenous and eco-friendly species such as Kishnochura, Bokul, Hasnahena, Neem, Palm, Debdaru, Mango, and Jackfruit were planted within the hospital premises to enhance greenery and community well-being. Speaking at the program, Ambassador (ret.) Peter Haas emphasized the company’s long-term vision: ‘The planting of indigenous and ecofriendly species is symbolic. It demonstrates Excelerate Energy’s commitment to put down local roots and to operate in an environmentally responsible manner.’

Step outside in Dhaka today, and the city feels less like a home and more like an oven. What was once dismissed as ‘just the weather’ is now an economic and social crisis.

a new World Bank report puts a number on the damage: Bangladesh loses about Tk 2.1 trillion every year to rising heat, with 250 million workdays gone in 2024 alone. Behind those figures are workers too sick to show up and families struggling with medical bills. This isn’t just about global climate change; it’s about how we build and govern our cities.

unplanned construction, disappearing wetlands, and air thick with pollution are turning Dhaka into a heat chamber. Buildings designed like sealed boxes trap heat inside, forcing residents to use more air conditioners, which only adds to the problem by raising energy demand and carbon emissions. What makes this worse is that Bangladesh has the policies and commitments on paper.

it has even been praised internationally for climate action. But implementation is weak, and political will is lacking.

the solutions are clear: cleaner fuels, better waste management, protecting green spaces, and enforcing urban planning laws. What’s missing is urgency.

as elections approach, citizens must demand that leaders take heat and air pollution seriously. Dhaka’s temperature has risen sharply, worsened by vanishing wetlands and reckless development.

experts warn that weak governance and a lack of enforcement of environmental policies are deepening the crisis. Without urgent action, heat stress and air pollution will severely hinder Bangladesh’s progress.

Half a dozen international firms are vying for a contract to construct a new floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali island as Bangladesh opts for enhancing LNGhandling capacity amid falling domestic gas reserves against rising demand. Sources say they have submitted proposals either to state-run Petrobangla, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, or both, in the hope of securing a new contract to develop the facility near the country’s two existing FSRUs that treat the imported liquefied natural gas or LNG. Oman’s OQ Trading International, Saudi Arabia’s Aramco Trading, Azerbaijan’s Socar, US-based Excelerate Energy, and Russia’s Novatek are among the global players interested in setting up the FSRU or related infrastructure used for degasifying imported LNG to feed into the national grid, according to market insiders. ‘We have received proposals from a good number of international firms showing interest in developing a new FSRU,’ said a senior official. He notes that the government may award the contract, considering the growing need for ramping up the LNGregasification capacity in the wake of depleting domestic reserves.

the project could be awarded either through an international tender or via government-togovernment negotiations, with emphasis on securing lower costs than those of previous projects, he adds.

Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan recently stressed stronger enforcement, institutional capacity, transparency, and accountability in environmental regulation, along with an end to faulty clearances. Speaking as the chief guest at a seminar, Rizwana, also Adviser of the Ministry of Water Resources, urged officials of the Department of Environment (DoE) to act creatively and fearlessly. ‘Enforcement is not just about fines.

it must include transparency, alternatives, and community empowerment,’ she said.

the World Bank organized the seminar titled ‘Strengthening Environmental Regulatory and Enforcement Capacity for a Sustainable Bangladesh’ in Sreepur upazila of the district, said a ministry press release. On enforcement priorities, the Adviser called for targeting hotspots such as dyeing industries, cement factories, and brick kilns. ‘We must focus on the worst polluters with proper budgeting and planning. Publish the names of polluters online. With information accessible, citizens will support enforcement against political pressure,’ she stressed.

Global oil supply hit a record high in August as OPEC+ and other countries ramped up production, with a looming surplus keeping prices in check, the International Energy Agency said recently.

eight key members of the OPEC+ group, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, have been gradually increasing production since April after restricting output in recent years.

the cartel announced another production hike recently. Non-OPEC+ nations have also been raising their output, with the IEA saying production from the United States, Brazil, Canada, Guyana, and Argentina was ‘at or near all time highs’. While demand also rose slightly in August, the Parisbased agency is projecting a surplus for 2025. ‘Investor sentiment towards oil remained strongly bearish, as the prospect of looming oversupply dampened any positive price impetus,’ the IEA said in its monthly oil market report.

the price of Brent oil, the benchmark international contract, reached $67 on average in August, $2 lower than the previous month. Global oil supply ‘inched up’ to a record 106.9 million barrels per day or mbd in August, said the IEA, which advises mostly developed nations on energy policy.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has said that Bangladesh will require a total of USD 116.8 billion to implement its newly prepared NDC 3.0 (Third Nationally Determined Contribution) plan aimed at reducing climate risks. Of this, USD 25.95 billion is estimated for unconditional investment, while USD 90.23 billion will be needed under conditional investment scenarios. She informed that the plan has set a target to reduce a total of 84.92 million tonnes of CO2eq emissions by 2035.

this includes 26.7 million tonnes (6.39%) unconditionally and 58.2 million tonnes (13.91%) conditionally.

today, the Environment Adviser made these remarks while addressing as the Chief Guest at the ‘Validation Workshop on the Third Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 3.0)’ held at the Department of Environment in Agargaon, Dhaka. She said, ‘NDC 3.0 is not only a plan for emission reduction, but also a pledge to build an inclusive and just future.’ She stressed prioritizing the participation of women, children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, and climate migrants, while also calling for climate actions to be rightsbased so that no one is left behind. Highlighting the importance of youth engagement, she said that through renewable energy projects, green entrepreneurship, research, and awareness programs, the youth can play a transformative role in building a climateresilient Bangladesh for future generations.

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Dhaka Electric Supply Company (DESCO) Limited recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to install, operate, and maintain a 150 kilowatt-peak (kWp) rooftop solar power system at BIDA’s headquarters at Agargaon in the city. The signing ceremony, held at the Investment Building’s conference room, was presided over by BIDA Executive Chairman (State Minister) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, said a press release. DESCO Managing Director Brigadier General Shamim Ahmed ndc, PSC (retd) attended the event as special guest.

on behalf of BIDA, the MoU was signed by Director Md. Maruful Alam, while DESCO’s Company Secretary Engineer Mohammad Kamruzzaman signed on behalf of the power distributor.

according to the agreement, DESCO will implement, operate, and maintain the system on a 9,105-square-foot rooftop area. The 20-year project involves an installation cost of around Tk 8.9 million, with an additional Tk 8.7 million earmarked for maintenance and replacement during the project’s lifespan.

the solar system is expected to generate about 2.85 million kilowatt-hours of electricity over 20 years, worth approximately Tk 29.9 million.

A fire broke out at the Ghorashal Thermal Power Plant in Polash upazila of Narsingdi recently, damaging a transformer and disrupting power supply for several hours.

a senior station officer of Polash Fire Service said that the fire originated in the 132/33 KV transformer.

two fire service units reached the spot and doused the flames after nearly an hour of efforts. ‘The transformer was completely burnt,’ Shahid said, adding that the fire might have been caused by a short circuit.

the exact cause will be ascertained after an investigation. Following the fire, electricity supply remained suspended in Polash upazila and neighboring Kaliganj. Power was later restored in different areas.