Dhaka, April 8, 2026: Environmentalists, researchers and energy experts on Wednesday urged the government to accelerate investment and policy support for renewable energy, warning that Bangladesh must act swiftly to reduce its heavy dependence on imported fuel amid growing global uncertainties.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion in the capital, the experts said the country’s import-dependent energy system has become increasingly vulnerable, particularly in the context of geopolitical instability in the Middle East that continues to affect global fuel supply and prices.
They noted that renewable energy technologies have become significantly more affordable in recent years, with the cost of solar equipment and battery storage falling by nearly half. With effective planning and timely implementation, the government’s target of producing 40,000 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity by 2040 could potentially be achieved by 2030, they said.
The discussion was organised by GreenWatch—an online portal and monthly magazine—at the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Jahangirnagar University, Jasim Uddin Ahmad, attended the event as the chief guest. The keynote paper was presented by M Zakir Hossain Khan, Chief Executive Officer of the research organisation Change Initiative. The session was chaired and moderated by Mostafa Kamal Majumder, editor of GreenWatch Online.
Special guests included businessman Abdul Haque, President of Disabled Peoples’ International Abdus Sattar Dulal, and President of the Jatiya Press Club and Editor of the daily Kaler Kantho, Hasan Hafiz.
Speakers highlighted that around 86 percent of Bangladesh’s electricity consumption currently depends on fossil fuels, a major contributor to the country’s worsening air pollution. They noted that air pollution is reducing the average life expectancy in Bangladesh by six to seven years and causing more than 100,000 deaths annually.
According to the discussion, 46 percent of fossil fuel-based electricity generation comes from natural gas and 28 percent from coal, while the country remains 56 percent dependent on imported energy. In 2024, Bangladesh spent nearly US$20 billion on energy imports.
Participants also pointed out that about 23 percent of power plants are currently idle due to declining gas supply, while industrial production in many sectors has dropped to 30–40 percent of installed capacity.
They warned that a potential fuel oil crisis could increase transportation costs, which in turn may push up the prices of essential commodities.
Against this backdrop, the speakers stressed that Bangladesh must rapidly strengthen domestic energy resilience through renewable energy development.
They observed that while renewable energy accounts for about 51 percent of total energy in neighbouring India and around 25 percent in Pakistan, Bangladesh’s renewable share remains only about five percent.
The speakers also noted that India is actively supporting the sector through subsidies and policy incentives.
In his keynote presentation, Zakir Hossain Khan proposed introducing a carbon tax, which he said could generate approximately Tk 10,000 crore annually to support renewable energy development.
He added that additional financing could come from carbon trading mechanisms, while innovative funding approaches—including better collection and utilisation of Zakat funds—could also contribute to the country’s energy transition.
Zakir further suggested forming a standing committee under the Prime Minister to closely monitor and accelerate the implementation of national energy transition programmes.
The participants also noted that the energy sector currently receives only 2.9 percent of the national budget, which stands at Tk 7.9 trillion.
They concluded that Bangladesh must urgently increase budgetary allocation for renewable energy to ensure long-term energy security, reduce dependence on volatile international fuel markets and ultimately achieve greater energy sovereignty.
