Electricity in Bangladesh in 2023/2024

Over the last 12 months, from September 2023 to August 2024, the electricity consumption landscape in Bangladesh has been heavily reliant on fossil energy. Gas and coal dominate this segment, contributing around 44% and 28% respectively, while net imports account for an additional 16%. This all contributes to more than 80% of Bangladesh's electricity coming from fossil sources, indicating a significant area for improvement in terms of adopting cleaner, low-carbon technologies. Low-carbon electricity generation, worryingly, makes up only a tiny fraction, close to 2%, of the total electricity consumption in the country.

Suggestions

For Bangladesh to significantly increase its share of clean, low-carbon electricity, it can take cues from countries that have successfully integrated large proportions of such energy sources. Observing nations with similar resource constraints, such as Pakistan, which efficiently generates 18% of its electricity from nuclear power, can be particularly insightful. Emulating Denmark's success with wind energy, achieving almost 60%, could also be explored, especially given the geographical similarities that might offer wind potential in some regions of Bangladesh. Additionally, leveraging solar energy, as seen in Yemen's 20% solar share, offers a viable path forward given Bangladesh's abundant sunlight. Expanding the use of nuclear, wind, and solar energy will not only help mitigate climate change but also reduce harmful air pollution stemming from fossil fuels.

History

Historically, Bangladesh's journey in adopting low-carbon electricity has been marked by small yet significant fluctuations. In the 1980s, there were modest efforts in hydroelectric development, with sporadic increases and decreases, reflecting initial steps towards diversifying electricity sources. The 1990s saw similar patterns with some setbacks, like the years 1985 and 1995 when hydroelectric generation experienced minor reductions. The early 2000s continued this trend, with periodic declines in hydro power. However, more recently, Bangladesh made a notable step by expanding into solar energy in 2023. This recent addition suggests an encouraging shift towards diversifying and expanding its clean energy portfolio, potentially paving the way for greater adoption of wind and nuclear technologies in the future.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources