The interim government has approved a transformative 25-year roadmap aimed at overhauling Bangladesh's crisis-ridden energy and power sector by drastically reducing import reliance, increasing domestic gas exploration, and pivoting towards sustainable green energy.
In a meeting on 7 January, chaired by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, the Energy and Power Sector Master Plan 2025 seeks massive investment to secure long-term energy sovereignty as the nation grapples with depleting gas reserves and a crippling subsidy burden.
Officials say the plan seeks to gradually move the country away from its heavy reliance on imported fuels, which currently account for more than 70% of primary energy consumption.
Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said a draft of the master plan had been presented to the chief adviser, who consented to its formulation.
"We have already prepared the draft and will place it for public scrutiny, allowing stakeholders to share their views," he said.
"After incorporating feedback from stakeholders, we will finalise and approve the master plan so that the next elected government has a clear framework to operate from," the adviser added.
According to the plan, successful implementation could bring primary energy imports below 50% by 2050, while increasing the share of domestic gas to at least 60%.
At present, gas reserves are depleting even as demand continues to rise, forcing the country to depend increasingly on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG), coal and oil.
The plan projects a fourfold rise in electricity demand by mid-century. Annual power generation, now close to 100 terawatt-hours, is expected to reach around 400 terawatt-hours by 2050, with peak demand rising to nearly 59 gigawatts. Under a high-growth economic scenario, electricity demand could exceed 70 gigawatts by that time.
To meet this demand, the government intends to place renewable energy at the centre of future power generation. The plan targets a renewable share of 30–50% by 2050.
