Electricity is the major source of power for most of the country's economic activities. Bangladesh's total installed electricity generation capacity (including captive power) was 15,351 megawatts (MW) as of January 2017 and 20,000 megawatts in 2018.
The largest energy consumers in Bangladesh are industries and the residential sector, followed by the commercial and agricultural sectors.
As of 2015, 92% of the urban population and 67% of the rural population had access to electricity. An average of 77.9% of the population had access to electricity in Bangladesh. Bangladesh will need an estimated 34,000 MW of power by 2030 to sustain its economic growth of over 7 percent.
Problems in Bangladesh's electric power sector include high system losses, delays in completion of new plants, low plant efficiency, erratic power supply, electricity theft, blackouts, and shortages of funds for power plant maintenance. Overall, the country's generation plants have been unable to meet system demand over the past decade.
On 2 November 2014, electricity was restored after a day-long nationwide blackout. A transmission line from India had failed, which "led to a cascade of failures throughout the national power grid," and criticism of "old grid infrastructure and poor management." However, in a recent root-cause analysis report the investigating team has clarified that the fault was actually due to lack of coordination and poor health of transmission and distribution infrastructure that caused the blackout.
Sources of energy
The main source of energy used for generating electricity worldwide is fossil fuels, such as fossil fuels. Fuel includes oil, coal, natural gas, and so on. Hydropower is one of the most commonly used fuels. Also, many countries are using electricity to generate nuclear power. Electricity is produced in many countries by utilizing other sources of renewable energy such as wind energy, solar power or geothermal energy.
As of 2011, 79 natural gas wells were present in the 23 operational gas fields which produce over 2,000 million cubic feet (57 million cubic metres) per day of gas. It is well short of over 2,500 million cu ft (71 million m3) per day that is demanded, a number which is growing by around 7% each year. In fact, more than three-quarters of the nation's commercial energy demand is being met by natural gas. This influential sector caters for around 40% of the power plant feed-stock, 17% of industries, 15% captive power, 11% for domestic and household usage, another 11% for fertilizers, 5% in Compressed natural gas (CNG) activities and 1% for commercial and agricultural uses.
CNG is substituting more that US$0.8 billion worth of foreign exchange annually and is also used in most vehicles on the road. In addition to CNG, Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is also demanded at around 0.1 million tons. The nation furthermore demands 3.5 million tons of oil imports in addition to almost 2 million tons of diesel to feed oil-based power plants being planned and built all around the country. The additional petroleum and coal imports are causing a disruption in the GDP by as much as 2% annually. The new purchases are affecting improvement initiatives in other sectors causing reduced export earnings and curtailing employment opportunities. This massive failure in the energy sector is mostly attributed to prolonged negligence, inappropriate implementation, inefficiency and lack of planning. To make matters worse, natural gas reserves are expected to expire by 2020. The only coal mine of the country is in the development stage, the reserve of which is also expected to dry up anywhere from 75 to 80 years after the start of their operations.
Efforts to develop an open-pit coal mine in Phulbari, Dinajpur District, have met with large, violent protests in 2006 because of feared environmental effects, and six people were killed and hundreds injured. At the time, the government closed the project, for which it was working with Asia Energy (now Global Coal Resources). It was encouraged in December 2009 to re-open it by the United States ambassador in private communication. In October 2010 protesters make a week-long march from Phulbari to Dhaka against the mine; a coalition of other groups protested at a Global Coal Resources meeting in London.
Fossil fuel
Natural gas
With natural gas being made available in Bangladesh, it becomes the main fuel for generating electricity. At the end of the twentieth century, the decision was taken to reduce the dependence on natural gas for the production of electricity as the use of natural gas increased in the overall development of the country and the production of natural gas was less than demand. Particularly in Vision 20, " Power System Master Plan 20 " was released. It said that the country's main fuel source should be created and within 20 years the country's own management needs to meet 5% of the energy demand, of which 20% will be coal, 20% is natural gas and the remaining 5% is hydro and renewable energy. The following list of energy consumption shows the rate of decline in gas consumption.
| Fiscal year | Gross production
Mr. K.O.G.
| Gas based | Based on coal | Liquid fuel | Based on water | Import |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25-5 | 25,6 | 1.5% | 5.22% | 1.5% | 1.5% | ----------- |
| 25-5 | 20,23 | 5.25% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 2.5% | ----------- |
| 25-5 | 355 | 12.12% | 2.5% | 32.5% | 2.5% | ----------- |
| 25-12 | 118 | 1.5% | 2.22% | 1.5% | 2.22% | ----------- |
| 212-6 | 1,222 | 5.22% | 5.22% | 1.5% | 2.5% | ----------- |
| 25-5 | 12,4 | 12.12% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 836 | 1.5% | 2.5% | 1.5% | 5.25% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 12,4 | 1.5% | 5.22% | 25.5% | 1.5% | 5.22% |
Coal
According to Power System Master Plan 20, coal has been adopted as the main fuel in Bangladesh's power sector. According to this plan, coal is estimated to target 5% of Bangladesh's total electricity generation by 20%. On the other hand, the government of Bangladesh has adopted the target of generating about 12.5 MW of electricity by using coal by 2021.
Barapukuria Thermal Power Station
The electricity generation in Bangladesh's electricity sector started from the Barapukuria thermal power plant. The power plant is located in Hamidpur union of Parbatipur upazila of Dinajpur district. The main source of coal used for power plants is the Barapukuria coal mine. The power plant started in 20 with two units of 120 MW capacity. On July 26, a third unit of power of 20 MW was started at the power plant. As of August 25, 3 percent of the 3rd unit's work has been completed. The total production capacity of the Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant will stand at 120 MW when the work of the 3rd unit is completed in 28 years.
Rampal Thermal Power Project
The Rampal thermal power project is one of the most discussed and criticized thermal power projects of the recent power sector in Bangladesh. The power plant with a capacity of 120 MW is located in Rampal upazila of Bagerhat district of Khulna Division. Coal imported from India will be the main source of coal used in the Bangladesh-India joint venture. Coal will be transported through the Sundarbans for this power plant located 5 km away from the Sundarbans. The launch of the power plant could cause serious damage to the environment and biodiversity of the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest. UNESCO in the 21st Referring to the natural disaster, the power station requested to shut down. Various environmental protection organizations, the National Committee for the Protection of Oil-Gas-Mineral Resources and Power Ports and various left parties are campaigning to stop the project. Although the Government of Bangladesh is in a difficult position to implement this project.
Pigeons thermal power plant
The Pigera Thermal Power Station is going to be built at Dhankhali Union of Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district of Barisal Division. Up to September 27, six percent of the work in Phase I of the project has been completed. The power plant is being built in a joint venture between Bangladesh's Northwest Power Company and China National Machinery Import and Export Corporation (CMC). Coal imported from Indonesia, China and Australia is thought to be the main source of coal used in the power plants. This power plant with a capacity of 120 MW will generate electricity from 25 [potential] years.
| Name of the project | Implementing Agency | Power generation capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Maitri Super Thermal Project, Rampal . | Bangladesh-India Friendship Pvt | 120 |
| Matarbari UltraSuper Critical Coal Power Project, Cox's Bazar . | Coal power | 120 |
| Pigeon Thermal Power Plant, Patuakhali. | Nopajecco | 120 |
| Pekua Power Plant | EGCB | 120 |
| Maheshkhali power generation project | BPDB and tenaga, Malaysia joint | 120 |
| North Bengal Super Thermal Power Plant | APSCL | 120 |
| 3 MW coal based power plant | Bangladesh-Singapore joint | 2 |
| G-to-G with South Korea | Bubo and South Korea combined | 120 |
| Bubo & CHDHK, China Joint Venture | Bubo & CHDHK, China Joint Venture | 120 |
| Gajaria, Munshiganj power plant | RPCL | 2 |
| Total | ||
Renewable energy
According to the Bangladesh's Power Sector Master Plan 2016 (PSMP–2016), the country has the potential to generate a combined 3.6 GW of electricity from renewable energy sources. Another research has estimated that the potential from wind power alone stands at 20 GW.
Bangladesh has 15 MW solar energy capacity through rural households and 1.9 MW wind power in Kutubdia and Feni. The government of Bangladesh has approved the construction by private developers of 19 on-grid solar parks, with would have cumulative generation capacity of 1070 MW.A solar power plant having a power generation capacity of 28 MW has recently started its operation in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar. Accounting this, the power generation capacity from renewable energy sources exceeds five percent of the country's total demand. Technical Solartech Energy Ltd (TSEL) has installed this power plant in Teknaf utilizing a total of 116 acres of land. Currently, the power plant is feeding 20MW to the national grid.
Bangladesh has planned to produce 10% of total power generation by 2020 from renewable energy sources like wind, waste, and solar energy. The country plans to increase its renewable energy share to 17% by 2041 under its Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 5% until 2030.
The country's prospect of geothermal energy extraction has also been discussed by researchers. Studies carried out by geologists suggested geothermal resources in northwest and southeast region.
To ensure the use and development of renewable energy in Bangladesh, the renewable energy policy goes into effect from December 7, 2015. The Government of Bangladesh has introduced solar energy, wind power, hydropower, biomass, bio-fuel, geothermal, river discharge, and the sea as sources of sustainable and renewable energy development authority. The program, under the government of Bangladesh in Bangladesh's power sector by ২0২0 used in the production of energy from renewable energy target of 10 per cent has been set.
| Renewable fuel used | Amount of electricity connected to the national grid
Megawatt
| The amount of electricity not connected to the national grid
Megawatt
| The total amount
Megawatt
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Solar power | 3.2 | 23.5 | 23.5 |
| Wind power | 3.2 | 12 | 2.5 |
| Hydropower | 26 | - | 26 |
| Electricity from biogas | - | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Electricity from biomass | - | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| The total amount | 23.5 | 23.5 | 3.2 |
Recent plans
The Ministry of Power and Energy has been mobilising BDT 400 billion ($5.88 billion) to generate 5,000 MW of electricity to reduce load shedding into a tolerable level within next four and half years during the term of the present government. Under the plan, the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) would produce 500 MW gas-fired electricity between July and December 2009 to over come load shedding within December. The PDB would hire furnace-oil based 1,000 MW of electricity from private sector from January to June 2010, the plan said. In 2011, the government would install furnace-oil based 800 MW capacity of power plant.
The PDB officials would seek suitable place to establish the plant, a senior official of the PDB said. Besides the government would also hire another diesel- or furnace oil-based power plant having capacity of 700 MW in 2012 to keep load shedding into mild level, the official said. However, the government also contemplates to establish four coal-fired-based power plants with capacity of producing 500 MW of electricity each with public and private partnership (PPP) in Rajshahi and Chittagong region.
The government has initially tried to create fund of BDT 60 billion ($1 billion) to implement the plan, sources said. The power division has tried to use the government's budgetary allocation of BDT 20 billion for PPP in this regard, sources added. "If we can create the fund of BDT 60 billion, it would be possible also to mobilise BDT 400 billion under ppp to produce 5,000 MW of electricity within four and half years," PDB chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir told the New Nation on 29 June 2009. During the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina permitted the power division to implement the PDB plan to reduce load shedding up to a tolerable level. Prime Minister's Adviser for Power and Energy Dr. Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury Bir Bikram, State Minister for Power and Energy Shamsul Haque Tuku, Power Division Secretary Md Abul Kalam, PDB chairman ASM Alamgir Kabir were present.
Inefficiencies and infrastructure
Bangladesh has small reserves of oil and coal, but very large natural gas resources. Commercial energy consumption comes mostly from natural gas (around 66%), followed by oil, hydropower, and coal. Non-commercial energy sources, such as wood fuel, and crop residues, are estimated to account for over half of the country's energy consumption.
A 2014 news report stated that:
Bangladesh is considered one of the most arousing energy growth nations. More than a third of Bangladesh's 166 million people still have no access to electricity, while the country often is able to produce only some of its 11,500-megawatt generation capacity.
In generating and distributing electricity, the failure to adequately manage the load leads to extensive load shedding which results in severe disruption in the industrial production and other economic activities. A recent survey reveals that power outages result in a loss of industrial output worth $1 billion a year which reduces the GDP growth by about half a percentage point in Bangladesh. A major hurdle in efficiently delivering power is caused by the inefficient distribution system. It is estimated that the total transmission and distribution losses in Bangladesh amount to one-third of the total generation, the value of which is equal to US$247 million per year.
In 2011, there were proposals to upgrade the grid technologies to digital smart metering systems and investing in renewable energy technologies to produce 5% of total power generation by 2015 & 10% by 2020, as noted in the National Renewable Energy Policy of 2008. American engineer Sanwar Sunny said that the city should put more effort in zoning areas to encourage more self-reliant subdivisions and higher density housing around subways to be more sustainable, as during peak times load shedding would not affect everyone. It will reduce effects of power cuts and provide stability to the power sector. He proposed that Radio transmitters could be operating remotely in unlicensed radio bands using two way real time communication and transmit coded instructions from the central to the circuit breakers in selected coordinates of the micro grids substations thereby maintain multiple power flow lines with automated control and digital metering. Using this technology, Feed-in tariffs (FIT) would also be possible, as the energy usage could be monitored remotely and private power generation and energy efficient entities could be offered rebates and incentives. "This will also expedite investments in this sector, create job opportunities for engineering graduates and technicians, and ease pressures on the government" he said. Think tanks such as Bangladesh Solar Energy Society and Renewable Energy Institute (REI), along with European International Development Government Agencies such as Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit supported this scheme. However, The Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Government of Bangladesh has said that the government has no plans to do so.
Nuclear power plant
Bangladesh plans to set up the 2,400 MW power plant, the Ruppur Nuclear Power Plant at Rooppur, Pabna district, 200 km (120 mi) northwest of the capital Dhaka, by 2018. Planned to go into operation by 2023, it will be the country's first nuclear power plant. The plant will be built with an allocation of BDT 20,050 crore, the highest allocation for a single project and over half of the 2018-2019 budget.
Hydropower
Hydroelectric power plants generate electricity by turning the turbine connected to the generator, mainly by utilizing the potential energy stored in the water. The amount of potential energy stored in an object depends on the height of the object from the surface to the surface. The higher the object's height, the greater the potential energy. Hydro power plants of water to prevent the dam is provided to increase the height of the water. Subsequently, it is released from the high ground and uses the potential energy contained in the water to generate electricity.
Karnaphuli hydroelectric power plants
Kaptai dam was constructed in Kaptai upazila of Rangamati district of Chittagong division. The Pakistani government started building the Kaptai Dam in the US financing in the 5th. Its construction was completed in 122. A water drainage path or spillway has been laid along the dam which is 5 feet long. The spillway can emit 5.25 cusecs of water per second. Due to the Kaptai Dam, about 3,000 acres of agricultural land is submerged, which accounts for 5 percent of the total agricultural land in that area, resulting in the Kaptai lake.. After completion of its construction in 122. Two 3 MW generators were installed in it. Work started on the 9th unit with a capacity of 5 MW. Work on Unit 1 was completed in 12th. The work of the 4th and 5th units was completed in the 5th. There are currently five units operating with a total power generation capacity of 20 MW.
Wind
Power is generated by rotating the generator's turbine using the wind speed. In this case, when the air passes through the blades of the turbine, the wind speed rotates those blades. And the rotor is connected to those blades which are activated by rotation of the blades. These rotors are connected to a generator whose rotation generates electricity.
Clerk wind power plant project
The first wind power plant in Bangladesh was set up at the Muhuri Project, located on the coast of Sonagazi, Feni. The Muhuri Project is the second largest irrigation project in Bangladesh. It is situated on six acres of land in the Lamachi Mouza of Khwaja, surrounded by the banks of the Muhuri river of Feni. Muhuri Project Wind Power Station, the first wind power plant of Bangladesh, was launched as a pilot project in the country. About one megawatt (1.8) of power is generated from the turbine with 622 kW capacity at the power plant.
Kutubdia wind power plant
On 8 February, a 5 MW wind powered power plant was opened in Kutubdia in Cox's Bazar district. 1 MW of power is being generated by 5 turbines of 20 kW capacity. The power station is not connected to the national grid. The electricity generated from the power station is being delivered to around 5 customers. The wind power plant is located in the Ali Akbar's Dell, south of the beach. The power plant has been constructed under the supervision of Bangladesh Electricity Development Board at a cost of Tk 20 crore.
Solar Energy
Most of Bangladesh's solar power projects are not connected to the national grid. Of the 26.5 megawatts of solar power that has been in production for 20 years, only 26.5 megawatts of electricity
Off the national grid. It has 5 million solar home systems, which is about 1.5 MW. There are also about 6 solar pumps that are used for 1.5 MW solar power. Infrastructure Development Company Ltd. has adopted a plan to set up six solar irrigation pumps in Bangladesh within 20 years.
Nuclear power
The history of power generation using nuclear power is not too long. The cost of setting up a nuclear power plant, together with the use of nuclear power, is affordable and at the same time cost effective. In addition, radioactive chemical waste generated by nuclear power plants is extremely harmful to biodiversity and the environment. Currently there are 4 nuclear power plants in 5 countries. the country's first nuclear power plant will be established in Pabna district, Ishwardi upazila in Pakshi UnionIn the village of Ruppur. According to an agreement signed with "Russian Federation's Atmstroy Exporter" on December 27, two units with a capacity of 120 MW will be completed by December 2020. The total power generation capacity will be 20 MW. Construction work of the first unit will begin on August 28. Its fuel loading will begin in October 2022, it will be power up for the first time in December, 2022, its interim assignment will be transferred in October 2021 and full responsibility will be transferred to October 2021. In the
System loss
One of the problems in Bangladesh's electricity sector is the system loss. System loss may be due to two reasons one is due to distribution loss and another is loss due to transmission. The overall picture of the last few years of system law of Bangladesh is as follows:
| Fiscal year | Distribution Loss | Transmission loss | Total System Loss |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-2 | 82% | ||
| 3-5 | 25.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 25.5% | 1.5% | 25.5% |
| 25-12 | 20.12% | 1.5% | 25.5% |
| 212-6 | 25.5% | 1.5% | 25.5% |
| 25-5 | 25.5% | 1.5% | 20.12% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 5.22% | 20.25% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 5.25% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 1.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 32.5% | 2.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-12 | 12.25% | 2.5% | 1.22% |
| 212-6 | 32.5% | 2.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 2.5% | 1.5% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 2.5% | 5.22% |
| 25-5 | 1.5% | 2.5% | 1.5% |
Electricity prices
Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission sets the price of electricity in Bangladesh. It was formed on March 7, 28, passing the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission Act. The latest electricity price was re-set by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission on August 27, 2009. In this case, the peak hour is calculated from 9am to 4pm. The companies involved in power generation and supply have proposed raising electricity prices for the second time in 20 years. The following is a list of the latest electricity prices divided by ten in total:
| Serial no | Customer class | Price unit
Counter clock
In money
|
|---|---|---|
| 3.2 | Class A: Residential
Class A1: Medium Pressure Residential Category (1kV)
Life Line: 3-5 units
| 3.2 |
| A) First step: 3-5 units
B) Second step: 8-20 units
C) Third step: 25-5 units
D) Fourth step: 3-5 units
E) Fifth step: 3-5 units
F) Sixth step: More than 5 units
| 3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
3.2
| |
| 2.5 | Class B: Pumps used for farming | 1.62 |
| 3.2 | Category C: Small industries
A) Flat
B) At off-peak times
C) At peak times
| 3.2
3.2
1.25
|
| 3.2 | Category D: Non-residential lamps and electricity | 1.22 |
| 3.2 | Category E: Commercial and Office
A) Flat
B) At off-peak times
C) At peak times
| 3.2
3.2
3.2
|
| 3.2 | Class F: Normal use of mid pressure (1kV)
A) Flat
B) At off-peak times
C) At peak times
| 3.2
3.2
3.2
|
| 3.2 | Category G2: High Pressure Normal Use (12kV)
A) Flat
B) At off-peak times
C) At peak times
| 3.2
3.2
3.2
|
| 3.2 | Class G3: High Pressure Normal Use (25kV)
A) Flat
B) At off-peak times
C) At peak times
| 1.25
3.2
3.2
|
| 3.2 | Class H: Normal use of high pressure (1 kV)
A) Flat
B) At off-peak times
C) At peak times
| 3.2
1.62
1.62
|
| 3.2 | Class J: Street lamps and water pumps | 3.2 |
