Electricity in Bangladesh in 2023/2024

In the period from July 2023 to June 2024, electricity consumption in Bangladesh has been largely dominated by fossil-fuel-based sources. A substantial 82% of the electricity is generated from fossil energy types, with gas being the most prevalent source at about 45%, followed by coal at around 26%. Additionally, net imports contribute to just over 16% of the electricity supply. In terms of cleaner energy sources, Bangladesh's low-carbon electricity generation only stands at a marginal 1.6%. This implies that the nation's electricity infrastructure is heavily reliant on conventional fossil fuels, which can pose environmental challenges such as increased greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

Suggestions

To enhance its low-carbon electricity generation, Bangladesh could take a cue from countries with successful clean energy adoption. Considering geographical and economic similarities, Uruguay's extensive use of wind energy, which accounts for 36% of its electricity, can serve as inspiration. Meanwhile, the robustness of nuclear energy in countries like Pakistan, where it constitutes 18% of electricity generation, demonstrates its potential as a stable and reliable low-carbon alternative. Introducing solar power at scale, taking insight from countries like Jordan, which generates 15% of its electricity this way, could also diversify and clean Bangladesh's electricity mix. Emulating such models, Bangladesh can reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and move toward a more sustainable and environmentally friendly electricity framework.

History

Historically, low-carbon electricity generation in Bangladesh has exhibited modest fluctuations, primarily influenced by hydroelectric contributions. Starting in the early 1980s, there were minor ups and downs, with slight increases and decreases in hydroelectric generation each year. Notably, in 1996, there was a 0.4 TWh increase in hydroelectric generation, yet the subsequent decades saw periodic reductions, especially in 2007 and 2009 with respective declines of 0.6 TWh and 0.5 TWh. More recently, in 2023, Bangladesh has seen a small advancement in solar energy generation with an increase of 0.3 TWh, marking a promising shift towards diversifying its energy portfolio. Despite these changes, the growth in low-carbon electricity generation has been incremental, underscoring the need for a more robust strategy to expand sustainable electricity resources efficiently.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade

Data Sources