Dhaka, August 25, 2026: Bangladesh must diversify its energy mix, reduce fuel wastage, improve energy efficiency and adopt modern technologies to ensure long-term energy security, experts said on Monday.
They made the remarks at a seminar titled “Energy Security in Bangladesh: Understanding the Challenges and Shaping the Way Forward”, organized by the Young Engineers Chapter of the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) at its headquarters.
Energy security needs a broader strategy
Presenting the keynote paper, Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) member Professor Dr Engineer Syeda Sultana Razia said a reliable and affordable energy supply is essential for Bangladesh’s economic growth, industrialization and everyday life.
She identified declining domestic gas reserves, growing dependence on imported fuels, volatile international energy prices, pressure on foreign exchange reserves, and constraints in power generation and supply as major challenges to the country’s energy security.
The experts stressed the need for a balanced and diversified fuel mix to reduce Bangladesh’s vulnerability to disruptions in any single energy source.
IEB concerned over energy wastage
Speaking as a special guest, IEB Vice-President (Academic and International) Engineer Khan Manzur Morshed said the IEB headquarters has already hosted four seminars on energy security.
Recommendations from those discussions are being compiled for publication, he said, adding that the initiative is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of the energy sector’s challenges, prospects and future direction.
Manzur Morshed also expressed concern over the appointment of non-technical personnel to important technical positions despite their limited engineering and technological expertise.
“Qualified, experienced and skilled engineers should be assigned appropriate responsibilities in technical institutions and major projects,” he said.
Experts call for review of power projects
The IEB vice-president questioned whether adequate feasibility studies had been conducted before several power plants were approved and constructed in the past.
He said authorities should review whether fuel availability, supply arrangements, costs and long-term fuel security were properly assessed before such projects were undertaken.
“Establishing a power plant cannot be based solely on its generation capacity. Fuel availability, economic viability, operating costs and long-term sustainability must also be considered,” he said.
He also called for transparent and independent investigations into projects implemented without adequate planning, technical assessments or feasibility studies that are now placing financial and operational pressure on the state.
Recommendations to be submitted to authorities
In his welcome speech, IEB Honorary General Secretary (Acting) Engineer Muhammad Ahsanul Russell said the recommendations emerging from the seminar would be carefully reviewed and submitted to the relevant ministries and government agencies.
The seminar was chaired by Engineer Md Tofazzel Hossain, chairman of the IEB Young Engineers Chapter.
IEB Honorary Assistant General Secretary (S&DW) Engineer Sabbir Ahmed Osmani, Honorary Assistant General Secretary (HRD) Engineer Md Nur Amin, leaders of various engineering divisions and chapters, members of the central council and engineers from different professional organizations also attended the seminar.
