Bangladesh

Bangladesh generates almost all its electricity from fossil fuels (98% in 2022). It continues to rely heavily on gas (59%) to meet its growing demand, but coal’s share in the power mix also rose in recent years (3% in 2015 to 15% in 2022). Heavy reliance on gas and lack of alternative clean generation capacity were key factors that led to a power crisis in 2022.

Bangladesh is well behind other Asian countries in decarbonizing its electricity sector. Ember’s Global Electricity Review 2023 showed that Bangladesh is barely at the start of its solar and wind journey with less than 1% of the country’s electricity generated from solar and wind in 2022. Between 2015` and 2022, its non-fossil generation share actually reduced from 3% to 2%, while Asia’s average increased from 24% to 32%. Its share of clean power is the lowest amongst other South Asian countries like Pakistan (43%), Sri Lanka (38%) and India (23%).    

Bangladesh is currently considering a target of 25% clean electricity share by 2030 to be incorporated in its upcoming Integrated Energy and Power Master Plan (IEPMP). As per the IEA, to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C, Bangladesh should fully decarbonise its electricity by 2040 and become net-zero by 2050. 

Last updated: May 2023