Dhaka, September 8, 2026: BRAC University’s newly launched Centre for Energy and Logistics (CEL) hosted a seminar on Tuesday titled “Electricity, Energy Situation and the Way Forward”, bringing together policymakers, energy experts and academics to discuss Bangladesh’s power and energy challenges and possible solutions.
In his welcome address, Dr Sultan Hafeez Rahman, chairman of the CEL Advisory Council and a member of BRAC University’s Board of Trustees, said Bangladesh faces a serious energy challenge partly because it has not adequately leveraged its own strengths and has become overly dependent on external support.
Keynote speaker Shafiqul Alam, lead energy analyst for Bangladesh at the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis, identified dependence on imported, dollar-denominated fossil fuels as a major challenge. He said peak electricity demand had reached 19,027 MW and highlighted risks from gas supply disruptions, import dependence and rising generation costs, alongside opportunities in renewable energy, rooftop solar and energy efficiency.
Ahamedul Karim Chowdhury, managing director of Container Company of Bangladesh Limited, presented energy security as a logistics challenge involving the movement of energy from suppliers to consumers. He discussed LNG and petroleum supply chains, infrastructure readiness and measures to strengthen resilience.
A six-member panel discussed strategic energy planning, immediate crisis response, gas exploration, coal development, power shortages, fuel planning, renewable energy and the potential of Bangladesh’s six million electric three-wheelers as a distributed power resource.
Speaking as chief guest, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir outlined government initiatives, including plans for a land-based regasification unit at Matarbari and offshore gas exploration.
BRAC University Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Arshad Mahmud Chowdhury and CEL Director Dr M Fouzul Kabir Khan also addressed the event. Former Bangladesh Bank governor Dr Salehuddin Ahmed, former interim government adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan and other academics and officials attended.
The seminar supported the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy and SDG 9 on industry, innovation and infrastructure.
