Bangladesh stands at a pivotal energy crossroads. Weโve achieved near-universal electrification (โ99.5% by 2023) and lifted per-capita consumption by more than 100% over a decade, yet our grid still relies on fossil fuels for ~98% of generation. COโ emissions from fuel combustion have risen sharply since 2000, underscoring the urgency to rebalance the affordabilityโreliabilityโsustainability trilemma.
The good news: renewable capacity is scaling. Total RE has grown to ~1,564 MW, led by solar (โ1,270 MW) with early momentum in wind (from 2.9 MW to 62.9 MW by 2024โ25). Hydropower remains steady at 230 MW; biomass/biogas are still nascent. On-grid peaks are higher and seasonal volatility is moderatingโsigns the system can integrate more variable renewables with the right investments.
What must happen next
โข ๐๐จ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐๐ง ๐๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ๐๐ฅ: A dedicated Green Investment Fund plus risk-mitigation tools (green bonds, guarantees, insurance) to lower the cost of capital and crowd-in private players.
โข ๐๐จ๐๐๐ซ๐ง๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐: Smart-grid upgrades, expanded transmission, and large-scale storage to smooth variability and cut curtailment.
โข ๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ฆ๐ข๐ณ๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐ & ๐๐๐ญ๐: Unlock Khas land and apply GIS-led planning to accelerate site selection while reducing delays and disputes.
โข ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐๐ฉ๐๐ง๐๐๐ง๐๐ฒ: Incentivize solar-plus-storage for industry and households to replace diesel/gas backup and lower operating costs.
โข ๐๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ข๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฑ: Scale utility and distributed solar, unlock coastal/offshore wind, and pilot firm clean options to enhance security.
Bangladesh has the ambition and the momentum. By aligning policy, finance, land, and grid readiness, we can shift decisively beyond fossil fuelsโdelivering affordable power, resilient growth, and a credible climate pathway for the next generation.
