Dhaka, Feb 3, 2026: Bangladesh is heading towards serious economic and social pressure as its gas supply crisis deepens, prompting energy experts and civil society leaders to demand immediate reforms and a rapid transition to renewable energy to safeguard the country’s power sector.
The warning came on Monday at a press conference in the capital, where speakers said continued dependence on imported fossil fuels has left Bangladesh vulnerable to rising costs, supply disruptions and long-term energy insecurity.
Gas Deficit “Increasingly Unsustainable”
Prof M Tamim, vice-chancellor of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), said the growing gap between gas demand and supply would become increasingly unmanageable if left unresolved, with adverse effects spreading across households, industries and public services.
He was speaking at the press conference titled “Reclaiming Power: A Just Energy Transition for Bangladesh”, held at the National Press Club and organised by the Just Energy Transition Network Bangladesh (JETnet-BD), a platform of 155 civil society organisations coordinated by ActionAid Bangladesh.
As an immediate relief measure, Prof Tamim suggested revising office schedules to help ease peak-hour electricity demand. Earlier working hours, he said, could significantly reduce evening power use, which places the greatest stress on the national grid.
Absence of a Clear Transition Plan
While short-term interventions may offer temporary relief, Prof Tamim stressed that Bangladesh lacks a consistent and credible energy transition framework.
He endorsed JETnet-BD’s 14-point Citizens’ Manifesto, noting that the absence of a unified national strategy has slowed progress toward clean energy.
He also criticised weak government engagement in renewable energy development, particularly during transition periods, warning that ambitious targets cannot be achieved without strong public-sector leadership.
Pointing to policy inconsistencies, Prof Tamim said renewable energy goals outlined in various national documents — including the 2008 Renewable Energy Policy, the Eighth Five-Year Plan and the draft Renewable Energy Policy 2025 — remain misaligned, undermining effective implementation.
Experts Question Renewable Ambitions
Energy analyst Dr Ijaz Hossain, former professor at Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), expressed concern over the feasibility of Bangladesh’s renewable energy targets under current planning conditions.
He warned that long-term goals could remain out of reach well beyond their deadlines without major improvements in policy design and execution. Dr Hossain also criticised the lack of transparency in decision-making, urging citizens and stakeholders to maintain pressure on authorities.
Import Dependence Drives Up Costs
Speakers highlighted the financial burden created by fossil fuel reliance, noting that around 97 per cent of Bangladesh’s energy needs are met by fossil fuels, nearly 70 per cent of which are imported.
This dependence costs an estimated Tk 1.5 trillion annually and exposes the economy to global price volatility, they said.
Shafiqul Alam, chief analyst at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), said the average cost of electricity generation reached Tk 12.10 per unit in fiscal year 2024–25.
He noted that oil-fired power plants accounted for 10.7 per cent of total generation and said replacing even a small portion of oil-based electricity with renewables could significantly reduce generation costs.
Calls to End Costly Power Deals
M Zakir Hossain Khan, executive director of Change Initiative, criticised the interim government for delaying action on controversial power contracts involving companies such as Adani and Summit, despite allegations of irregularities.
He urged authorities to cancel agreements that are financially risky and inconsistent with long-term energy security goals.
Citizens’ Manifesto for Clean Energy
ActionAid Bangladesh presented a 14-point Citizens’ Manifesto at the event, outlining steps toward a just and inclusive energy transition.
The manifesto calls for achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, generating at least 20 per cent of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 50 per cent by 2040, while gradually phasing out import-dependent fossil fuel plants.
Additional proposals include adopting a National Energy Transition Policy, strengthening the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission as an independent regulator, providing temporary tax relief on renewable energy equipment and prioritising domestic expertise in energy planning.
Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid Bangladesh, said the manifesto would be submitted to political parties and candidates ahead of the next national election.
“Bangladesh’s energy challenge is not about scarcity alone,” she said. “It is about choosing a sustainable and people-centred path that ensures affordability, security and climate justice.”
0 Comments