Electricity in Bangladesh in 2024
In 2024, the landscape of electricity consumption in Bangladesh is overwhelmingly dominated by fossil energy sources. With more than half of the electricity coming from gas, and close to a fifth generated by coal, the fossil energy footprint is significant at about 90%. An additional 8% is derived from net imports, further boosting the presence of fossil energy in the country's electricity mix. Unfortunately, low-carbon or clean energy sources contribute a meager 2% to the overall electricity generation. Within this category, solar energy is the primary contributor, albeit a small one, accounting for just over 1% of the generation mix. This disparity highlights the urgent need for Bangladesh to increase its reliance on sustainable electricity sources to combat climate change and reduce air pollution.
Is Electricity Growing in Bangladesh?
Electricity consumption in Bangladesh is experiencing growth, as evidenced by the increase in per capita electricity usage from 674 kWh in 2023 to 720 kWh in 2024. This represents an upswing of 46 kWh per person, indicative of positive growth in the sector. Simultaneously, low-carbon electricity generation also saw an increase per capita, climbing from 10 kWh in 2023 to 13 kWh in 2024. Although this represents progress, the marginal increase of 3 kWh per person underscores the potential for Bangladesh to further embrace clean energy sources. These developments suggest a promising trajectory towards enhancing electricity accessibility and environmental sustainability across the nation.
Suggestions
To significantly boost low-carbon electricity generation, Bangladesh can draw inspiration from countries that have successfully embraced clean energy. Lebanon offers a compelling example for embracing solar power, with its solar energy share at 31%, a goal Bangladesh can aspire to achieve. Additionally, lessons from countries with successful nuclear energy programs, such as Slovakia, where nuclear power accounts for 62% of electricity generation, demonstrate the potential to significantly reduce fossil reliance. Emulating these approaches by expanding solar infrastructure and considering nuclear power can propel Bangladesh's clean energy capacity, addressing both energy security and environmental concerns.
History
Looking back at the history of low-carbon electricity in Bangladesh, there has been a series of fluctuations, particularly within hydroelectric power generation. During the 1980s and 1990s, significant variations included both growths and declines, with notable setbacks in years like 1985, 1986, and 1995. In more recent years, fluctuations continued but with improvements in solar energy contributions. From 2022 to 2024, there has been a positive trend in solar energy growth, each year marking an increase in generation. These advancements demonstrate Bangladesh's gradual shift towards embracing clean energy, though the historical instability of hydroelectric generation highlights the need for diversification and increased investment into more reliable sources like solar and nuclear to ensure a steady energy supply.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.