Electricity in Bangladesh in 2024/2025
Over the last 12 months, spanning from August 2024 to July 2025, Bangladesh predominantly relied on fossil fuels for its electricity generation, with more than four-fifths of the total electricity coming from these sources. Gas was the most significant contributor at about 43%, followed by coal at approximately 27%. Net imports also played a role, accounting for a bit over 16%. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources made up just over 2% of the total electricity generated, which is a marginal share when compared to fossil energy. Most of this clean electricity came from solar energy, contributing close to 1.3%, indicating a significant opportunity for growth in low-carbon electricity production.
Is Electricity Growing in Bangladesh?
When examining the recent trends in Bangladesh's electricity consumption, the data indicates a concerning decline. The latest figures show a per capita electricity consumption of 604 kWh, which represents a noticeable drop of 110 kWh per person from the 2024 record. Low-carbon electricity generation also stagnated, with the latest figures indicating a slight decrease of 1 kWh per person to 13 kWh. These figures highlight a worrying trend in the reduction of electricity consumption overall and nearly unchanged low-carbon electricity production. To meet growing future demands, driven by electrification and technological advancements, reversing this decline is critical.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Bangladesh can draw inspiration from successful regions such as France and Slovakia, where nuclear energy meets more than half of the electricity demand. Utilizing nuclear power can provide a reliable and sustainable energy source. Countries like Lebanon and Cyprus have also shown the potential of expanding solar power generation, with solar contributing around 31% and 21%, respectively, to their electricity mix. By investing in nuclear and solar technologies, Bangladesh can create a more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity sector, reducing the reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating their negative impacts on climate and air quality.
History
Historically, Bangladesh's journey with low-carbon electricity has been modest, with minor fluctuations primarily in hydropower generation. In the 1980s, there were slight increases and decreases in hydropower, with a notable dip in the mid-1980s. The subsequent decades saw continued volatility without significant long-term growth. More recently, there have been small but positive steps towards solar energy, with incremental increases from 2022 to 2024. These steps reflect a gradually growing awareness and investment in clean energy sources, yet the overall contribution remains small. For Bangladesh to progress towards a sustainable future, a more robust and consistent investment in low-carbon electricity generation is necessary.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.