By Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo

The interim government attached priority to ensuring uninterrupted power supply alongside bringing the power sector out from subsidies and inefficiencies through establishing transparency and accountability.

"Bangladesh is moving from subsidies and inefficiencies to a new era of transparency and accountability in power-energy, a transformation necessary to this import sector for our future sustainably," Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Dr Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan
told BSS on completion of the six months of the incumbent interim government.

He expressed optimism that the prices of electricity and energy would come down in future as steps are on to increase production of renewable power on priority basis and ensure efficiency in the sector.

"We've restored the Energy Regulatory Commission's (BERC) power to fix electricity tariffs. We are also revising the Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP) and reevaluating the renewable energy policy to increase its stake in total energy output," said Khan.

Speaking at a function recently, the energy adviser said Bangladesh requires an estimated $3.5 to $4 billion annually in transition finance to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

He said the government is also moving away from independent power producers (IPPs) and implementing a more sustainable power policy.

According to a BPDB official, the country generated 11,541-MW electricity on February 6, while the country generated the highest 16,477-MW power on April 30, 2024. Currently, the country has a generation capacity of 31,144-MW electricity from 133 captive and renewable plants while 2656-MW power is coming from foreign sources.

The total transmission line has been expanded to 16,060 circuit kilometer and the grid substation capacity rose to 73,991 Megavolt amperes (MVA), while there are 648724.72 kilometre distribution line across the country till June 30, 2024.

The number of total consumers is 4.77 crore and there are 487 lakh irrigation connections. System losses are now 7.25 percent.

After assuming office in August last year, Fouzul Kabir said that he had taken a series of measures in power and energy sector for the greater national interest.

The adviser said the government has taken various steps to formulate transfer and recruitment policies aimed at preventing malpractices.

An ordinance has already been promulgated repealing the Quick Enhancement of Electricity and Energy Supply (Special Provision) Act 2010 on November 30, 2024 to ensure transparency in power production.

Apart from this, the government has signed a heads of agreement (HOA) with the US-based Argent LNG to import up to 5 million tonnes of liquefied natural gas (LNG) per year for the next 20 years.

The HOA was a non-binding agreement, meaning neither party was obligated to agree to the terms listed in the document.

The agreement was signed by Ashik Chowdhury, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, and Jonathan Bass, chairman and chief executive officer of Argent LNG, at a ceremony held at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, DC, on January 24, 2025.

The government also issued an open tender to establish 12 grid-tied solar power plants at various locations across the country in the private sector.

The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB), as the sole authority in the power sector, published the tender in multiple newspapers, inviting potential bidders for the projects.

The 12 power projects, with a total capacity of 323 MW, are 10 MW at Shudharam, Noakhali, 18 MW at Hathazari, Chattogram, 20 MW at Sabujpara, Nilphamari, 25 MW at Moulvibazar, 25 MW at Bajitpur, Kishoreganj, 25 MW at Chandraghona, Rangamati, 30 MW at Ukhiya, Teknaf (Cox's Bazar), 35 MW at Nawabganj, Dhaka, 45 MW at Kurigram, 45 MW at Fatikchhari, Chattogram and 45 MW at Bhaluka, Mymensingh.