RAJBARI, Sept 12, 2026— Prime Minister Tarique Rahman’s Adviser on Finance and Planning Dr Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir has said Bangladesh aims to establish a secure energy framework by 2034 while gradually shifting from fossil fuels to renewable energy. Report BSS
Briefing journalists in Rajbari on Friday evening, Titumir said the ongoing electricity and gas crisis had caused hardship for households and industries, with the situation aggravated by past corruption and cronyism as well as the war in the Middle East.
He said the government had already incurred losses of around Tk20,000 crore by purchasing gas at high prices and was now accelerating efforts to explore domestic gas resources. Under a plan to drill 150 wells, BAPEX would be utilized more extensively to boost domestic production.
Titumir said greater use of solar power could have reduced pressure on the electricity sector if consumers had been enabled to generate their own electricity. He stressed that Bangladesh must move towards renewable energy while ensuring reliable and affordable energy supplies.
On water resources, he said adequate river flows were essential for sustaining agriculture and fisheries. The government has therefore committed to better management of the country’s water resources, including the recently approved Padma Barrage project.
He said the proposed barrage would not only create a water reservoir but also generate electricity. Bangladesh also needs a fair share of upstream water while developing better management of its own resources, he added.
Noting that Bangladesh is connected through water flows with 54 international rivers, Titumir said the government’s approach was based on Bangladesh’s interests and international law. A technical team has already been formed to negotiate water-sharing agreements and will soon inform India of the initiative.
