Category: Energy and Power

An 18.69 MWp rooftop solar power project ?nanced by Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) at Akij Ceramics Limited in Trishal was of?cially inaugurated recently, marking a signi?cant milestone in Bangladesh’s transition toward cleaner energy in the industrial sector.

the inauguration ceremony was attended by Ulrich Kleppmann as the chief guest. Other notable attendees included Michael Sumser-Hellstern of KfW Development Bank, Alamgir Morshed, Executive Director and CEO of IDCOL, and S. K. Bashir Uddin, Managing Director of Akij Bashir Group.

the project has a total investment of BDT 101.47 crore, of which BDT 76.83 crore was ?nanced by IDCOL. Once fully operational, the solar facility is expected to generate around 19,500 MWh of clean electricity annually and reduce approximately 14,626 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions each year. Currently, 10 MWp of the installed capacity is already connected to the national grid through the net-metering system.

alamgir Morshed emphasized the growing interest from the private sector in adopting solar power. He noted that IDCOL has revised its target to ?nance 1,150 MWp of rooftop solar capacity by 2030.

Bangladesh is seeking billions in external ?nancing to secure fuel and lique?ed natural gas imports, as the new government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman moves to stabilize the economy amid a worsening global energy outlook due to the Iran war. The nation of 175 million relies on imports for about 56 percent of its energy needs, and state-run agencies have increasingly turned to the volatile market to plug the gap.

the government has been rationing fuel, though the restrictions were eased for the Eid al-Fitr festival. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, the prime minister’s adviser on ?nance and planning, said on Friday that Dhaka was in talks with major development lenders – including the Asian Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank – to mobilize fresh funding. ‘There are positive indications that we’ll receive funds from the multilateral agencies to support oil and energy, which will help accelerate economic growth,’ Titumir said.

In many remote hill communities in Bangladesh, access to safe, reliable water remains a daily struggle. Conventional water supply systems that depend on electricity, fuel, or mechanical pumping are often impractical in these areas due to dif?cult terrain and limited infrastructure. However, nature itself offers a powerful and sustainable alternative. By harnessing the natural force of gravity, communities can access water without using any external energy.

a small settlement of the Mro Indigenous community in Bandarban Sadar Upazila demonstrates how this approach works in practice. Located under Tongkaboti Union and about 1,700 feet above sea level, the para (cluster of a village) is home to 85 households with around 510 residents. The community lives across steep hills surrounded by forests, where access to basic services is limited. Dependence on Traditional Water Sources For generations, the residents depended on a nearby natural stream, locally known as a ‘chara’, for their daily water needs. Women and girls walked long distances along narrow and steep hill paths carrying containers and traditional baskets to collect water for drinking, cooking, washing, and other household activities.

this daily task required several trips and often consumed several hours each day. The physical burden of carrying water uphill made the routine exhausting and sometimes risky, especially during the rainy season.

environmental Changes and Water Scarcity Over time, environmental changes began to affect the availability of water. Deforestation, the cutting of large ‘mother trees,’ increasing population, and shifting rainfall patterns gradually reduced the landscape’s natural capacity to retain water.

as a result, the once reliable chara began to dry up during the dry season. During these months, women had to travel even farther to collect water, and the available sources were not always safe. Waterborne diseases became more common, underscoring the urgent need for a reliable, sustainable water supply solution. Harnessing Gravity as a Natural Energy Source To address this growing challenge, the Christian Commission for Development in Bangladesh (CCDB) supported the installation of a Gravity Flow System (GFS) in the community.

the system collects water from a natural spring located about two kilometers away in the higher hillsThrough a network of pipelines stretching approximately 3,500 feet, water ?ows naturally from the higher elevation to the settlement using gravitational force.

this simple principle allows water to move without pumps or external power sources.

the Gravity Flow System, therefore, operates entirely without electricity, fuel, or mechanical pumping, which makes it an energy-ef?cient and environmentally friendly solution for remote hill areas. Reliable Water Supply without Electricity The infrastructure includes three storage tanks, each with a capacity of 5,000 liters, strategically installed to ensure water distribution across different clusters of households.

the stored water then ?ows through gravity pressure to households within the community.

today, all 85 households have improved access to water close to their homes. The gravity-based system provides a reliable source of water for drinking, cooking, and other daily activities throughout the year. By eliminating the need for energyintensive pumping systems, the Gravity Flow System demonstrates how natural energy can be used effectively for essential services in remote regions. Community Participation and Local Ownership A key factor behind the success of the system was strong community participation. Residents voluntarily contributed labor during the installation process, carrying construction materials through steep hills, digging trenches for pipelines, and assisting in building the storage tanks.

to ensure long-term sustainability, the community has also created a small maintenance fund.

each household contributes 50 taka for repairs and equipment replacement.

this approach has strengthened community ownership and responsibility for maintaining the system. Reducing the Burden on Women The bene?ts of the Gravity Flow System are particularly signi?cant for women. Previously, women spent several hours each day collecting water from distant streams. Carrying heavy containers uphill required considerable physical effort. With water now available close to their homes, women experience less physical hardship and greater safety.

the time saved allows them to focus more on childcare, household activities, and small livelihood opportunities. Safe Water for School Children The local school in the para, which serves 108 students, now has access to safe drinking water from the Gravity Flow System.

this ensures that children can drink clean water during school hours, improving health, hygiene, and the learning environment.

improving Health and Hygiene Reliable water access has also improved sanitation and hygiene practices within the community. Families can now maintain cleaner homes, wash regularly, and use safer water for drinking.

as a result, the occurrence of waterborne diseases has declined. Water Supporting Livelihood Opportunities Beyond household use, over?ow water from the storage tanks is being used productively. Some households use the excess water for small-scale irrigation in fruit gardens and for bio?oc ?sh cultivation.

these activities help improve food security and create small income opportunities.

expanding Climate-Resilient Water Solutions The initiative is part of a broader effort by CCDB to improve water access in remote hill areas. So far, 30 Gravity Flow Systems have been installed across Bandarban Sadar, Ruma, and Rowangchhari upazilas.

these systems demonstrate how simple technology and natural energy can address water scarcity while supporting climate adaptation in vulnerable communities.

a Model for Sustainable Development The experience of this hill community shows that effective development solutions do not always require complex infrastructure or large energy inputs. By harnessing the natural power of gravity, communities can secure reliable water supplies without electricity while strengthening resilience to climate change.

as Bangladesh continues to pursue sustainable and low-carbon development pathways, gravity-based water systems offer a practical model for energyef?cient infrastructure in remote and climate-vulnerable regions

Russian Ambassador Alexander Khozin held talks with Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam in Dhaka recently, focusing on bilateral cooperation and the ongoing global energy situation.

the discussions covered Bangladesh-Russia collaboration, including engagement at the United Nations, and developments in the Middle East linked to the US-Israeli military actions involving Iran.

the Russian side also highlighted support for Bangladesh in addressing the current global fuel and energy crisis, according to the embassy. Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s adviser Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said the government will present a midterm energy security roadmap in the upcoming national budget, alongside a clear investment plan. He emphasized that Bangladesh is taking steps to manage supply challenges and stressed the importance of diversifying energy sources to ensur

The government of Bangladesh will ensure adequate funding to maintain the country’s energy security and may seek ?nancial assistance from international institutions if necessary, Prime Minister’s Economic and Planning Adviser Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir said. Speaking to journalists at his of?ce in the Ministry of Finance at the Secretariat on March 15, Titumir said the government is considering approaching global lenders such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank to ?nance fuel imports if required. He emphasized that ensuring energy security is a top priority for the government under the current global situation. If needed, the government will seek funding from international development partners to cover the cost of importing fuel. ‘We will try to secure support from any available source for ?nancing fuel imports-whether from the IMF, the Asian Development Bank, or the World Bank,’ he said, adding that the goal is to obtain ?nancing at the lowest possible interest rate.

Hartal was observed and hartal wasn’t observed,’ late eminent journalist Nirmal sen wrote in Dainik Bangla newspaper after a day of hartal (general strike) called by the opposition parties against the rule of General Hussain Muhammad Ershad in late 80s.

this iconic sentence had nicely re?ected the contrasting claims of the government and the opposition parties in regard to the hartals, then a frequently used weapon of the political opposition. Fast forward to 2026.

today the country, among many other issues, is facing a fuel crisis caused by US-Israel war on Iran.

there is no shortage of fuel, the government insists. But for about a month the ?lling stations have been witnessing long queues of motorists for fuel. For many the wait goes beyond six to seven hours.

in search of fuel the motorists go from one pump to another.

there is hardly anyone who gets the fuel in one go.

there have been instances of not failing to re?ll the tanks after reaching the pump following hours of wait in lines. Many, especially the drivers working for owners, are becoming sleep-deprived as they hop from one pump to another. Not only vehicles. Fishing boats, speed boats used for transporting river commuters and irrigation pumps are being pinched by the fuel crunch.

the issue has made to the parliament. In response to complaints raised by some opposition MPs Energy Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku reaf?rmed on Monday there is no shortage of fuel in the country. He dismissed the long queues as the outcome of an arti?cial crisis caused by panic buying and hoarding of the fuel by dishonest traders.

a campaign against hoarding has resulted in the discovery of thousands of tonnes of diesel, petroleum and octane in parts of the country. Hefty ?nes are being collected from the erring traders. Authorities have even announced reward up to Tk one lakh for information about the hoarding.

in defense of the government’s claim the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation says it has stock of 1.33 lakh tonnes of diesel following disbursement of supplies on March 29, a reserve enough for 10 days given current demand.

according to Prothom Alo newspaper the authorities are estimated the April demand for diesel at about 4 lakh tonnes. Good news is 95,000 tonnes of diesel are expected to arrive in the country in next 15 days.

there have though been some supply chain disruptions.

as many as 16 ships were supposed to arrive in March, but only 10 of then reached Bangladesh with the remaining others failing to con?rm their arrival.

up to 1 lakh 55 thousand tonnes of diesel was expected.

one of the ships was expected to carry jet fuel too, said the newspaper quoting government authorities. Bangladesh imports two types of fuel: diesel, octane, furnace oil as re?ned from different countries. Crude oil is imported from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

the crude is re?ned in the country’s only state-run re?nery, Eastern Re?nery Limited to produce diesel, petrol and furnace oil.

eRL produces 60,000 tons of diesel a month. Currently, ERL has useable reserve of 26,000 tons- enough for six to seven days, according to Prothom Alo’s March 31 issue.

there is no possibility of shortage in supply of petrol and octane. During the last ?nancial year, the country consumed 4 lakh 15 thousand tons of octane, 50 percent of them locally produced, and 50 percent imported. Last month there had been additional use of octane compared with the same period last year.

in April the demand of octane is estimated at 37,000 tons – 30,000 tons will be available locally. There should not be a problem of petrol given the shipments arrive in time.

in today’s situation success lies not only in keeping enough reserves, but also in ef?cient management and proper distribution

The government has decided to increase fuel imports by 25 percent in the course of the current year to tackle potential supply disruptions caused by the ongoing con?ict in the Middle East, Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said recently. ‘Despite global concerns over fuel supply, there is no immediate crisis in Bangladesh.

as a precautionary measure, the government has decided to raise fuel imports by 25 percent,’ Iqbal told reporters at his residence in Dhaka.

the minister said vessels carrying suf?cient fuel supplies are arriving at ports, and the government is maintaining strict vigilance to ensure uninterrupted distribution across the country. Highlighting the government’s subsidy efforts, the minister said fuel is being purchased at higher prices from the spot market but sold to consumers at lower rates. ‘The duration of the con?ict remains uncertain, the government will continue providing subsidies for as long as possible, considering people’s purchasing capacity,’ he added.

Asian utilities are boosting coal-?red power generation to cut costs and safeguard energy supply, industry of?cials say, as the US-Israeli war on Iran chokes lique?ed natural gas (LNG) shipments and soaring prices threaten to suppress LNG demand.

asia spot LNG prices have doubled to three-year highs in the second major supply shock in four years, as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has all but stopped and No 2 global exporter Qatar has halted shipments. In South Asia, Bangladesh is increasing coal power generation and coal-?red power imports in March, daily government data shows. Pakistan, meanwhile, aims to further boost power generated from domestic sources after solar additions helped it avoid a repeat of the LNG supply volatility behind widespread outages following Russia’s 2022 Ukraine invasion, Power Minister Awais Leghari said.c

US crude oil inventories for the week ended Mar. 13, excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, increased by 6.2 million bbl from the previous week, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

at 449.3 million bbl, US crude oil inventories are about 1% below the 5-year average for this time of year, the EIA report indicated.

eIA said total motor gasoline inventories decreased by 5.4 million bbl from last week and are 3% above the 5-year average for this time of year. Latest distillate fuel inventories decreased by 2.5 million bbl and are about 3% below the 5-year average for this time of year. Propanepropylene inventories increased by 800,000 bbl from last week and are 57% above the 5-year average for this time of year, EIA said.

uS crude oil re?nery inputs averaged 16.2 million b/d for the week ended Mar. 13, which was 63,000 b/d more than the previous week’s average. Re?neries operated at 91.4% of operable capacity.

Continued war and con?ict across the Arab and Persian Gulf region have triggered major supply chain disruptions and sharp increases in primary fuel prices.

this region remains the world’s largest producer and exporter of crude oil, petroleum products, and lique?ed natural gas (LNG).

around 20% of global primary fuel trade passes through the Strait of Hormuz, which has effectively been choked due to the con?ict.

the war has also affected key energy infrastructure, including the South Pars gas ?eld, the LNG hub at Ras Laffan, and oil installations in Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia. Brent crude prices have surged past $110 per barrel. At the same time, the warring parties have threatened further attacks on energy, power, and water infrastructure. The disruption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has severely affected the transportation of fuel, fertilizer, and other essential commodities.

as a result, both energy and food security have become increasingly uncertain for import-dependent countries. Nations across South and Southeast Asia, including Bangladesh, have begun implementing contingency measures to cope with the crisis. However, panic buying by consumers and internal supply chain disruptions have worsened the situation in Bangladesh. Long queues at petrol stations have become common, with many consumers returning emptyhanded as pumps run out of stock. Several stations have reported limited or irregular fuel supply from depots. Government ministers and of?cials have repeatedly assured the public that adequate reserves are available and have urged restraint and conservation. However, these reassurances have had limited impact.

authorities have intensi?ed monitoring across the supply chain, and some unscrupulous actors have been arrested. Pump owners, meanwhile, point to irregular depot supply during weekends and holidays, combined with a sudden surge in demand, as key drivers of the crisis. Supply Chain Disruptions Deepen Crisis Countries dependent on imported fuel have faced severe challenges since the outbreak of the con?ict.

the situation escalated after the United States and Israel reportedly targeted Iran’s energy hub at Kharg Island and facilities in the South Pars gas ?eld.

iran retaliated with missile strikes on petroleum and LNG infrastructure in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait.

as a result, production capacity across these facilities has been partially disrupted, driving up global prices of crude oil, re?ned products, and LNG.

iran’s move to regulate fuel and commodity transport through the Strait of Hormuz has further disrupted global supply chains. For countries like Bangladesh, the impact has been compounded by internal logistical challenges. With limited strategic reserves, Bangladesh has been forced to introduce fuel rationing measureThe country’s lack of a deep-sea port adds another layer of complexity. Crude oil and coal must be transported via lighter vessels after being of?oaded from larger ships offshore.

ensuring adequate fuel supply for these lighter vessels has become increasingly dif?cult, further straining the supply chain. Fuel rationing was introduced before the government could fully stabilize internal supply chain management, which contributed to panic buying. Opportunistic market players have also attempted to exploit the situation. While supplies of octane, petrol, and LNG remain relatively stable, the main concern lies with crude oil and diesel. Some countries have already introduced measures such as remote work policies and vehicle restrictions based on license plate numbers. Bangladesh must now adopt pragmatic, transparent, and well-coordinated policies to manage both supply and demand effectively and prevent the crisis from deepening further.

allow vessels carrying fuel for six friendly countries to pass through the Strait of Hormuz for a limited period. However, after a Pakistan-?agged ship transporting fuel for the United States reportedly attempted to transit the route, the decision was reversed, and the strait was effectively closed again. There have been indications of possible dialogue between Iran and the United States, reportedly brokered by Pakistan, but a meaningful truce appears unlikely at this stage.

instead, fresh threats have emerged of further attacks on fuel, power, and water infrastructure. With limited options, Bangladesh has begun sourcing liquid fuel and LNG from alternative suppliers in the spot market, signi?cantly increasing subsidy requirements.

the new government is currently in no position to raise fuel or electricity prices due to concerns over in?ation.

even adjustments to jet fuel prices could affect air travel. However, it remains uncertain how long Bangladesh can continue to absorb these costs through subsidies. Sooner or later, fuel and electricity prices may need to be adjusted, which would likely trigger a broader increase in commodity prices and fuel in?ationary pressures. Conclusion The con?ict shows no immediate signs of ending.

access to fuel resources from the Arab and Gulf regions may remain constrained for an extended period. Bangladesh must therefore diversify its energy import sources and secure the ?nancial capacity to procure fuel at higher prices.

at the same time, it needs to manage its internal fuel supply chain more ef?ciently. Jobs in the power and energy sector should be declared essential services to ensure uninterrupted operations. The domestic fuel supply chain must remain smooth and continuous, without disruptions due to holidays or logistical gaps. Strong administrative oversight is also necessary to prevent irregularities.

equally important is public cooperation. Consumers must be encouraged to use fuel and electricity more responsibly. At the same time, the government must accelerate efforts to explore and develop domestic energy resources, alongside expanding renewable energy initiatives on a war footing. Managing the period from April to November 2026 will be a critical test for the country’s energy security and economic stability