The urge to find solutions often arises only when we are faced with scarcity and hardship. Alternative thinking does not emerge easily otherwise. Now, with the looming risk in the power sector, concern and anxiety are growing across all quarters. Instability in the Middle East and fluctuations in the global energy market have brought Bangladesh face to face with a new reality. As power shortages, rising costs, and increasing pressure on urban life intensify, issues such as time management, energy conservation, and renewable energy are coming to the forefront.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, coupled with rising prices of LNG and oil in the global market, is making power generation more complicated in the country, leading to frequent load shedding and public suffering. It is being reported that due to lower-than-promised gas supply, daily load shedding could reach up to 500 megawatts. Meanwhile, around Tk 14,000 crore in dues to private oil-based power plants remains unpaid. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) is largely relying on large coal-based power plants, which currently have a production capacity exceeding 7,700 megawatts. If at least 15,000 megawatts of electricity can be ensured from coal and gas-based plants, the potential load shedding could be somewhat controlled. Although electricity demand in Bangladesh is steadily increasing, production is not keeping pace. This is especially problematic in rural and remote areas where electricity supply remains a major challenge. Currently, coal-based plants account for about one-fourth of total electricity generation. While these plants play an important role in ensuring stable supply, they are heavily dependent on imported coal.
Major coal-based power plants include Payra in Patuakhali, Rampal in Bagerhat, SS Power in Banshkhali, and Matarbari in Cox’s Bazar, each with capacities ranging from 1,200 to 1,320 megawatts. Additionally, there are the 307-megawatt Barisal Power plant in Barguna and the 525-megawatt Barapukuria plant in Dinajpur. A 1,320-megawatt plant by Norinco in Patuakhali is also ready. Around 1,500 megawatts of electricity is imported from Adani’s coal-based plant in India. These figures are only projections; the reality could be even more challenging. To overcome these difficulties, alternative strategies have been considered multiple times. To ensure energy security and reduce dependence on natural gas and coal, Bangladesh has adopted solar power as a key strategy. Under the renewable energy policy, solar power has been encouraged, and various incentives have been provided. Although there has been some response, the outcomes have not met expectations. Reducing dependence on fossil fuels and ensuring environmental sustainability make solar energy indispensable. However, technological advancement and proper land utilization are necessary for its expansion.
With these considerations, there was a policy decision to generate 20% of total electricity from renewable sources by 2030. A roadmap was also prepared to produce 20,000 megawatts of solar power by 2041. Bangladesh receives an average of 6"8 hours of sunlight daily, with 4.5"5.5 kilowatt-hours of energy per square meter, which is ideal for solar power generation. It is environmentally friendly, as 1 megawatt of solar power can prevent 1,500 tons of carbon emissions annually. Employment opportunities are also significant, with an estimated 55 jobs created per megawatt of solar projects. However, there are challenges and limitations, including land scarcity, high initial costs, and technological constraints. Large-scale solar projects require vast land areas, which is a major obstacle in densely populated Bangladesh. Rooftops and unused land could offer viable alternatives.
Bangladesh receives abundant sunlight throughout the year. Experts suggest that the country experiences sufficient sunshine for more than 300 days annually, making it highly suitable for solar power generation"more so than many countries in Europe and America. Some countries have effectively utilized such opportunities. Following the Russia-Ukraine war and the global energy crisis, Pakistan rapidly shifted toward solar power and reduced import costs, whereas Bangladesh could not fully capitalize on this opportunity. In 2022, as LNG prices surged and energy shortages intensified, Pakistan emphasized solar energy as an alternative. Due to falling global solar panel prices and government incentives, rooftop solar systems expanded rapidly.
Statistics show that from January 2022 to December 2025, Pakistan developed solar capacity equivalent to nearly one-fifth of its total electricity production. This reduced pressure on the national grid and significantly lowered the use of gas and LNG. By last February, the country had avoided approximately $12 billion in energy imports. Currently, LNG accounts for about 20% of Pakistan’s electricity generation, mostly limited to nighttime use. In contrast, Bangladesh’s progress in renewable energy remains limited despite long-standing discussions. At present, only 3.69% of the country’s total electricity generation capacity comes from renewable sources, with solar contributing 2.69%. The country still relies heavily on gas, coal, and oil.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has created new uncertainties in global energy supply, putting Bangladesh’s energy security at greater risk and bringing solar power back into focus. Bangladesh’s geographical location is highly favorable for solar energy. Situated between 20° and 25° north latitude, the country receives an average of about 5 hours of daily sunlight, with even higher levels in coastal areas. This consistent sunlight provides a natural advantage for large-scale solar power generation. Bangladesh spends over $12 billion annually on energy imports, a significant portion of which is used for electricity generation. Currently, against a daily demand of around 15,000 megawatts, renewable sources contribute just over 800 megawatts. With timely planning and increased investment, a large portion of daytime electricity demand could have been met through solar energy. Although a target of 10% renewable energy by 2021 was set, it was not achieved.
While many countries increased investment in renewable energy after the war, similar initiatives were not observed in Bangladesh. In the industrial sector, more than 500 megawatts of rooftop solar projects have already been implemented, with an additional 400"600 megawatts in the pipeline. Despite these potentials, progress has been limited. Large projects in areas such as Mirsarai, Payra, and Rajshahi have not become fully operational. With increased tariff support and policy incentives, rapid progress in this sector is possible. Utilizing industrial rooftops and water bodies for solar infrastructure could generate over 10,000 megawatts of electricity. Reducing import duties and VAT on solar equipment, ensuring stable policies, and implementing effective monitoring could accelerate Bangladesh’s progress in renewable energy. In the context of global warming, energy security, and cost considerations, solar power can be a “game changer” for the country. Economically, it is also promising. With decreasing technology costs and improvements in battery storage, large-scale solar farms are now more affordable than before. Additionally, investment in the solar sector can create new employment opportunities in engineering, installation, maintenance, and manufacturing. Alongside these vast potentials, it is essential to remove existing barriers. Solar energy should not be viewed merely as a “fashionable” alternative, but as a sustainable foundation for the future.
-The writer is a journalist-columnist and Deputy Head of News at Banglavision.
