Renewable Energy: It’s prospects and problem in mitigating

energy crisis in Bangladesh

“A strong renewable energy industry is good for our environment and our
economy.”
—Roy Cooper
Bangladesh is facing a tremendous energy crisis and the economic development of this
country was jeopardized due to the lack of energy resources. Adequate and consistent
source of electricity is a key requirement for a constant and successful economic
development. Due to the heavy dependence on natural gas and the possibility of this energy
source to be exhausted in near future, an alternate way to find an energy source leads us in
a path to renewable energy. Renewable energy in Bangladesh is an energy sector with room
to vastly expand.
Renewable Energy:
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources that replenish themselves over
a period of time without depleting the Earth's resources. These resources also have the
benefit of being abundant. Once we have extracted them, they will cease to be available
for use as an economically viable energy source.
Types of Renewable Energy Sources:
The major types of renewable energy sources are: Biomass, Wood and wood waste,
Municipal solid waste, Landfill gas and biogas, Ethanol, Biodiesel, Hydropower,

Geothermal, Wind, Solar etc.

Renewable Energy: A light of
hope
➢ Renewable energy provides
reliable power supplies and
fuel diversification, which
enhance energy security,
lower risk of fuel spills, and
reduce the need for imported
fuels.
➢ It also helps conserve the
nation's natural resources.
➢ The renewable energy
industry is more labor
intensive than its fossil fuel
counterpart, meaning on
average greater job creation.
➢ Communities located near
fossil fuel generators are
affected disproportionally
by local increases in
pollution, including
particulate matter and toxic
gasses. On the other hand,
clean energy facilities do not
increase local pollution or
the need for diesel traffic in
marginalized communities.
➢ Above all, renewable
energy sources such as
wind, solar, hydro and
geothermal do not entail fuel
costs or requires
transportation, and therefore
offers greater price stability.
State of Renewable Energy in
Bangladesh 2022:
Bangladesh’s renewable energy policy journey began in 2008, when the Ministry of Power,
Energy and Mineral Resources published their policy guidelines. Since then, up until 2022,
Bangladesh has made small but steady progress.
➢ Renewable energy sources in Bangladesh, like solar, now take up a larger share of
the energy mix. As a result, the installed capacity of renewable energy in Bangladesh
is 579 mega-watts (MW). This includes on-grid and off-grid installations. Solar PV
accounts for 59.5%, with small-scale hydropower and biomass-biogas at 39.7% and
0.8%, respectively.
➢ Fossil fuels, like natural gas still make up over 65% of power generation. However,
this number is slowly decreasing due to renewable energy sources in Bangladesh
like solar PV, wind and hydropower.
➢ Global Climate Scope ranks Bangladesh in the 41st position from all observed
markets in terms of attractiveness for renewable energy investments.
➢ Bangladesh largely depends on natural gas. In the national grid, around 68.84
percent of energy production capacity is from natural gas and 19.07 percent. are
from liquid fuel. Only 1.03 percent comes from hydro and 0.165 percent comes from
solar sources.
➢ For now, solar power dominates the renewable energy mix in Bangladesh. The SDG
goal number seven is to ensure access to affordable, reliable sustainable and modern
energy for all. Under this goal, Bangladesh prioritizes two targets: (A) Ensure access
to electricity for 100 percent population. (B) Increase renewable energy share in
total final energy consumption to 10 percent.
Share of total renewable energy sources

➢ After formulation of renewable energy policy, it has been implemented from 2009.
 ➢ The government has established ‘Sustainable and Renewable Energy Development
Authority (SREDA)’ for effective utilization and conservation of renewable energy
both in public and private sector.
➢ To monitor and co-ordinate renewable energy and efficiency of energy related issue
different agencies are working with SREDA.
➢ To fulfill the government target of generating electricity from renewable energy
sources, SREDA is ready to provide any sorts of assistance within its purview to
implement renewable energy projects.
➢ At present, 779.8 MW renewable energy system has been installed.
Progress of Renewable Energy
Technology Off-grid(MW) On-grid(MW) Total(MW)
Solar 347.52 198.29 545.81
Wind 2 0.9 2.9
Hydro 0 230 230
Biogas 0.69 0 0.69
Biomass 0.4 0 0.4
Total 350.61 429.19 779.8

Prospects of Renewable Energy in mitigating energy crisis in Bangladesh:

“To truly transform our economy, protect our security, and save our planet from the
ravages of climate change, we need to ultimately make clean, renewable energy the
profitable kind of energy.”
—Barack Obama
Renewable energy resources are natural resources which have a vital role to meet up the
energy demand of Bangladesh. The available renewable energy of Bangladesh are solar,
biomass, wind, hydropower and geothermal energy and this are the potential renewable
energy to eradicate energy problem in Bangladesh.
Solar energy:
Bangladesh receives an average daily solar radiation in the range of 4-5 kWh/m. The new
mega electricity project vision 2021, implemented by Prime Minister’s electricity. Global
Post quotes that Bangladesh installed over 50,000 SHS and Bangladesh is the fastest
growing nation around the world. Bangladesh’s National Solar Energy Action Plan
introduced plans to shift its renewable energy policy. This aims for up to 40 giga-watts
(GW) to be installed by 2041. This was accompanied by medium roll-out of 25 GW and a
business-as-usual outcome of 8 GW.
The latest figures show that renewable energy only makes up 3% of the national energy
mix. However, if successful, it will see it made up from the following:
16 GW – solar hubs
 4 GW – electric utilities
5 GW – private developers
2.5 GW – irrigation pumps
12 GW – rooftop installations
The potential for a swift transition and a diversified renewable energy mix is there. For
example, utilising only 1% of the Kaptai dam’s water surface for floating solar would see
nearly 500 MW of solar capacity. Additionally, unexplored potential for land can be found
along riverbanks and reclaiming areas in the Megha estuary.
Biofuel/Biomass/Biogas:
Biogas and biomass are more popular in Bangladesh. Bangladesh has more than 350
potential oil-bearing crops which produce biodiesel such as J. curcas, sunflower, sesame,
castor, cottonseed and groundnut oils are considered as alternative sources of fuel in
Bangladesh.
Wind Energy:
The world is going on fast in the sector of wind renewable energy and a turbine is used to
convert wind energy into electricity. According to the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL), there is over 20,000 km2 of land in Bangladesh where wind speeds
range between 5.75 and 7.75 m/s. This equals to a potential of over 30,000 MW. (Source:
World Future Council)
Hydro-Energy
Hydroelectricity
is a natural
renewable source
of power and
water is utilized
for the production
of electricity by
converting water
head into kinetic
energy in which
the turbine
propeller rotated
using water flow.
Proposed future
hydro-electricity
 projects in Bangladesh
Name of the River Potential of Electrical Energy in MW
Kaptai 100
Shangu river 100
Matamuhuri river 100
Mohamaya 23-65
Lohajari 4.5
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is the earth core heat and most renewable clean energy. However,
Bangladesh has a possibility to produce energy from geothermal sources and she has a
regional geothermal gradient from south-east region 19.8 to 29.5°C/km along the north-
west 20.8 to 48.7°C/km with 110-153°C from 304 kilometres inside the earth. . Bangladesh
government have already plan to set up geothermal 200 MW power plant in Thakurgaon
in cooperation with Anglo MGH.
Atomic Energy
Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission is the only nuclear reactor of the country.
Rupppur Nuclear Power Plant is a work in progress 2.4 GWe nuclear power plant in
Bangladesh. It will be the country's first nuclear power plant.
The Advantages of the Renewable Energy Transition
“Energy is essential for development, and sustainable energy is essential for
sustainable development.”
— Tim Wirth
➢ The transition towards the renewable energy sector will further accelerate economic
development, keep energy access reliable and affordable and improve healthcare
and quality of life.

➢ A key enabler for Bangladesh’s renewables transition is the support from global
organizations. Since the country’s independence, the World Bank has provided over
USD $30 billion in grants and interest-free credits. Currently, Bangladesh continues
to take advantage of the interest-free credits to fund its renewable energy projects.
➢ Another success story is the partnership between the World Future Council, the local
Coastal Development Partnership organisation, and the German development
organisation, Bread for the World. In 2018, it kicked-off the “100% Renewable
 Energy for Bangladesh – Access to renewable energy for all within one generation”
project.
➢ There are also long-lasting and ongoing initiatives with partnering organisations like
REEP. Their goal is to help promote the renewable energy transition within
Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Government’s Efforts to Help the Renewable Energy Sources

Transition
“It is time for a sustainable energy policy which puts consumers, the environment,
human health, and peace first.”
— Dennis Kucinich
❖ The government of Bangladesh announced plans to install rooftop systems on all
educational facilities to feed additional solar power to the grid.
❖ It also plans to replace fossil fuel transport with more electric vehicles.
❖ And in 2021, the country accepted the Electric Vehicle Registration and Operation
Guidelines, originally proposed in 2018. As a result, the construction of solar
charging stations for EVs with an average capacity of 20 kilowatts is planned.
❖ REN21’s report concluded that Bangladesh, alongside China, India, and Japan, are
leading renewable energy developments in Asia. To illustrate this positive push,
Dandan Chen from the World Bank, stated that Bangladesh has one of the most
successful off-grid renewable energy programs globally.
❖ Ultimately, the renewable energy transition in Bangladesh will be fuelled by
government policy and institutional capacity.
 1. The Solar Home System Programme by IDCOL provides funding and technical
know-how to private companies and consumers within the renewable energy
niche.
2. The government enacted the Renewable Energy Policy on 18 December 2008.
After formulation of renewable energy policy, it has been implemented from
2009.
3. The Government of Bangladesh enacted the Sustainable and Renewable Energy
Development Authority - SREDA Act-2012 which identified solar energy, wind
energy, hydropower, biomass, bio fuel, geothermal, river currents, ocean waves
etc. as Sources of renewable energy.
4. The Power System Master Plan (PSMP) in 2016 set a target for the share of
renewable the target was not achieved due to some constraints. energy to reach
10 percent (2470 MW) of total power generation capacity by 2021, but the target
was not achieved due to some constraints.
Challenges for the Renewable Energy Sources in Bangladesh
❖ Bangladesh is among the worst-affected countries from climate change. Several
studies point to risk facing coastal land and territories bordering riverbanks subject
to constant erosion and flooding. These challenges are forcing people to relocate and
complicates renewable energy network development and policy.
❖ To make a quick turnaround in the national power system, Bangladesh has to solve
several additional challenges. There are also a lack of incentives for private investors
including: missing coordination among ministries, procedure difficulties, limited
budget allocation to the RERs-based projects, slow technological adoption, lack of
awareness and application of green building policies, lack of grid infrastructure with
enhanced demand and capacity.

❖ Crucially, even with the authorities’ best efforts, the entire area of Bangladesh
cannot be electrified. The UN projects about 10% of it to remain off the grid. This
has led to innovation from not-for-profit groups such as Grameen Shakti to sustain
electricity production and supply renewable energy technologies in rural areas.

Recommendation:
“Sustainable energy + food security + healthy environment = full employment +
better future.”
— Phil Harding
In Bangladesh, the proved reserved of natural gas 34 TCF which will lead the country next
20 years and currently 82% natural gas consumed in the power sector for power production.
Whereas only 3% electricity produced from renewable energy sources. However,
Bangladesh government have already announced a master plan for future electricity
generation through the demand for power growing faster rate. Therefore, this strategy
emphasizes the countries natural resource exploration and discoveries for further
improvement of the power sector and reconstruct the renewables energy resource.
However, to meet the near future demand Bangladesh needs more sophisticated research
facilities and skilled manpower for exploration activities both inland and offshore areas.
The government must work with international advanced technology using human
intellectuals of the country for energy sustainability.
“It is time for a sustainable energy policy which puts consumers, the environment,
human health, and peace first.” — Dennis Kucinich
Conclusion:
“There can be no sustainable development without sustainable energy development.”
— Margot Wallstrom
Renewable energy in Bangladesh has now reached the take-off stage. All sectors face huge
challenges at the take-off stage. If these challenges can be met, renewable energy will be
the driving force of the future in Bangladesh, like other countries in the world, and in this
case, appropriate importance and steps should be taken in renewable energy in the future.