Bangladesh's energy journey: Balancing growth and sustainability

Economic growth means rising energy demand. And an increase in energy demands means economic growth of a country.

Despite limited democracy and many justifiable questions about the past regime, Bangladesh has witnessed remarkable economic progress over the last decade with an average annual GDP growth rate exceeding 6%.

This rapid development accelerated the demand for energy in micro and macro levels, resulting in a significant increase in per capita energy consumption.

As the nation is expected to continue to progress, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all is not only crucial, but it also aligns directly with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7).

Bangladesh's energy landscape

The energy landscape in Bangladesh is evolving as the country strives to meet the growing demands of its population while transitioning towards more sustainable energy sources.

Historically, Bangladesh's energy mix has been heavily reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas. However, recent years have seen a gradual shift towards a more diversified energy portfolio, including imported LNG (liquefied natural gas).

Energy generation has traditionally depended on natural gas, which still constitutes a significant portion of the country's energy supply. 

However, to reduce dependency on a single energy source and address environmental concerns, Bangladesh, at least officially, is increasingly exploring alternative energy sources.

Power generation in the country has diversified over the years to include coal, diesel, and hydroelectric power, with a strong government push towards incorporating more renewable energy sources into the mix.

Renewable energy: The focus of the future

While Bangladesh has made strides in expanding its energy infrastructure, the country has faced challenges in meeting its renewable energy (RE) targets.

Despite the setbacks, the focus on RE has never been stronger. The government is now committed to increasing the share of renewables in the national energy mix as part of its long-term energy strategy.

The contribution of RE to Bangladesh's total energy consumption, although still modest, has been steadily increasing.

Currently, RE sources contribute around 3% of the total energy mix. The primary sources of RE in Bangladesh include solar, wind, and biomass.

Solar energy, in particular, has seen significant growth, driven by both government initiatives and private sector investment.

Solar: The ultimate future

Recently I had moderated a roundtable discussion where experts opined that Bangladesh has the potential to generate enough solar energy to meet its entire electricity demand, contrary to the myth of land scarcity.

They think the country's untapped khas land, rooftops, water bodies, and arable land can be used to produce a significant amount of solar power.

A study by the Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA) and the Coastal Livelihood and Environmental Action Network (CLEAN) and presented at the roundtable claimed that the space needed to produce 100% of Bangladesh's electricity from renewable sources is almost double the current requirement.

It said while 207,294 acres of space is needed to generate 100% renewable energy for the country, currently 402,617 acres are available.

Based on GIS mapping, the BELA and CLEAN study shows that out of over 34.21 lakh acres of khaas land across 61 districts, around 4.03 lakh acres remain unallocated. An average of 38.74% of these lands, around 1.11 lakh acres, could be utilised for ground-mounted solar photovoltaics, capable of generating at least 45,690.23 MW of electricity.

Moreover, Bangladesh's rooftops cover a total area of 4,712 million square metres. Utilising just 10% of this area, or 471 million square metres, could yield at least 46,644 MW of rooftop solar power. 

The study also said that utilising 10% of the permanent water bodies, or 63,286.83 acres, could generate at least 21,877 MW. 

According to the draft Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan, Bangladesh's power requirement is projected to reach 32,659 MW in 2025, and 84,858 MW in 2050. The government is committed to achieving 10% renewable energy by 2025, and 100% by 2050, as outlined in the 8th Five Year Plan and Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

Agrivoltaics, which involves combining agriculture and solar power generation, could also contribute significantly.

Bangladesh has around 11.78 acres of arable Khas land, with 11% used for vegetable gardening (1.30 lakh acres). This land could support 18,099 MW of agrovoltaics. 

The impact of RE on cost savings

One of the key benefits of adopting RE is the potential for cost savings, particularly in water and electricity bills. Renewable energy sources, such as solar power, can significantly reduce electricity costs for households and businesses.

Moreover, using RE reduces the strain on the national grid, leading to more stable electricity supply and potentially lower utility bills.

Solar power, for example, provides a free and abundant source of energy once the initial installation costs are covered. Additionally, RE systems often have lower operating and maintenance costs compared to conventional energy systems. This makes them an attractive option for reducing long-term energy expenses.

Key players in the RE sector

Several organisations have played pivotal roles in promoting renewable energy adoption in Bangladesh. Among them, the Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) stands out as a key player. 

IDCOL has been instrumental in financing and facilitating the deployment of renewable energy solutions across the country.

Through its Solar Home Systems (SHS) program, IDCOL has enabled millions of rural households to access electricity for the first time. This initiative has not only improved the quality of life in remote areas but has also contributed to the overall goal of increasing the share of renewables in Bangladesh's energy mix.

In addition to IDCOL, various government agencies, non-governmental organisations, and private sector entities are actively involved in the promotion and development of RE projects in Bangladesh.

These efforts are crucial in ensuring that the country meets its energy needs sustainably and in alignment with global environmental goals.

Looking forward

Back to the roundtable, we can refer to Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD).

She told the meeting that a significant portion of the national budget is allocated to the power sector, but not specifically to renewable energy.

We can also refer to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, at that time chief executive of BELA and now an adviser to the interim government. As she had underscored the urgency of enacting the Renewable Energy Act in Bangladesh and now she herself is in the government, we hope she will pursue enacting the law which will help flourishing the RE.

It is needed as Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture in its energy journey. The challenge lies in balancing the rapid economic development with the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly energy practices. 

By embracing renewable energy and promoting efficient consumption, Bangladesh can pave the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for all its citizens. The progress made so far, coupled with a renewed focus on meeting renewable energy targets, indicates a positive trajectory towards achieving SDG 7 and ensuring energy security for the nation.