[🇧🇩] Energy Security of Bangladesh

[Saif]

Bangladesh to buy 3 more spot LNG cargoes in Aug & Sept

The government is eyeing to import three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from spot market in late August and September. State-run Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) floated a tender to these spot LNG cargoes for August 30-31, September 10-11, and September 21-22 delivery windows exp

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh to buy 3 more spot LNG cargoes in Aug & Sept

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jul 24, 2025 19:46
Updated :
Jul 24, 2025 19:46

The government is eyeing to import three liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargoes from spot market in late August and September.

State-run Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) floated a tender to these spot LNG cargoes for August 30-31, September 10-11, and September 21-22 delivery windows expecting reasonable price quotes, a senior RPGCL official said.

The bid submission deadline is July 27, he said.

The volume of the spot LNG cargo is around 3.36 million Brithish thermal unit (MMBtu).

The cargoes are to be delivered to Moheshkhali Island, with an option to discharge it at either of the country’s two floating storage re-gasification units located on the island.

Bangladesh already bought four spot LNG cargoes for delivery in August, and if the tender turns out successful, the country’s spot LNG cargo purchase for August deliveries would be five.

Bangladesh has procured five spot LNG cargoes for July delivery.

The South Asian country has been purchasing increased volume of spot LNG cargoes over the past several months under a plan to boost natural gas supplies to industries, said the RPGCL official.

Bangladesh awarded its latest spot LNG cargo tender to Vitol Asia Pte Ltd for August 28-29 delivery window at US$12.43 per MMBtu, the RPGCL official said.

The RPGCL is a part of Petrobangla and looks after LNG trading in Bangladesh.

In addition to spot LNG cargoes, Bangladesh has been importing LNG from its two existing long-term suppliers -- QatarEnergy LNG (formerly Qatargas) and OQ Trading International -- for regasification at its two operational floating, storage and re-gasification units (FSRUs).

Bangladesh has been rationing gas supply to industries, power plants and other gas-guzzling consumers to cope with the mounting natural gas demand.

The country’s overall natural gas output -- local gas and imported LNG combined -- was around 2.832 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) including 1,022 mmcfd of re-gasified LNG, against the demand for over 4,000 mmcfd, according to official data as on July 23, 2025​

 

[Saif]

CPD lauds govt move to add 3000mw electricity from rooftop solar system

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has appreciated the government's initiative to add around 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid through rooftop solar installations on public buildings. Focusing on proper pre-planning and effective implementation guidelines for the successful im

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CPD lauds govt move to add 3000mw electricity from rooftop solar system

BSS
Published :
Jul 27, 2025 16:29
Updated :
Jul 27, 2025 16:29

Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has appreciated the government's initiative to add around 3,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the national grid through rooftop solar installations on public buildings.

Focusing on proper pre-planning and effective implementation guidelines for the successful implementation of the initiative, the think tank observed that it will help Bangladesh achieve the renewable energy goals.

CPD on Sunday made the observation at a discussion on "National Rooftop Solar Energy Programme: Proposals for its Design, Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation" at CPD office in the city.

CPD and Bangladesh Sustainable and Renewable Energy Association (BSREA) jointly organised the discussion.

CPD Research Director Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem moderated the discussion while CPD Senior Research Associate Helen Mashiyat Preoty and BSREA Member Md Nasir Uddin delivered presentations.

In her presentation, Helen Mashiyat Preoty said the programme should kick start with the piloting of the selected areas instead of going full swing.

The piloting sample should be selected based on radiation impact, available finances in different divisions, grid readiness, major load shedding areas and presence of REB Somities, she added.

The new programme must learn from the failure of the previous programme and must not repeat the similar policy, she added.

She said the policy on the programme must refrain from becoming a "tick-box" culture in public buildings by designing policies that tie budget disbursement to actual energy generation, not installation.

"There should be a policy guideline for the successful implementation of the programme. All sorts of customs duty, import duty, VAT and Tax should be exempted from solar panels, battery and inverters," she added.

To maximize the effectiveness of the National Rooftop Solar Programme, Preoty said, site selection must be driven by solar radiation potential and the geographic distribution of government offices.

"A tailored, location-specific approach is essential to ensure technical and financial feasibility across diverse regions of Bangladesh," she added.

To ensure the success of Bangladesh's National Rooftop Solar Programme, she said, each installation must undergo a comprehensive feasibility study covering rooftop and structural assessment with shadow analysis, solar irradiation and tilt optimization, and site-specific equipment selection.

During the grid implementation process, she said, the NEM tariff should be discussed and finalised with utility providers.

As the full procurement process of the programme is highly technical, she said, there must be a technical committee to facilitate the process.

She said different renowned labs in the country should be entrusted with the testing of the equipment before and after installation.

She said Bangladesh Bank should introduce a refinance scheme or a dedicated green energy fund targeting rooftop solar on public buildings.

"In both CAPEX and OPEX-based rooftop solar projects on government buildings, a sovereign guarantee or bank guarantee mechanism should be institutionalized. A sovereign guarantee, issued by the Ministry of Finance or a central authority, would provide assurance of timely payments and contract enforcement," she added.

She said given transparency issues in public procurement and infrastructure, it is critical to introduce third-party monitoring and verification (M&V) mechanisms.

She also said a government-backed Guarantee Fund should be introduced to support urgent repairs and critical maintenance of rooftop solar systems, particularly in public institutions under the CAPEX model, where annual maintenance budgets are insufficient or absent.

Among others, former director of the Bangladesh Bank Sustainable Finance Division Khondaker Morshed Millat and Managing Director of the Geosolar Bangladesh Limited Eng. Nazneen Akhter spoke on the occasion.​

 

[Saif]

JERA announces commercial operation of its Meghnaghat 718MW power plant

JERA Meghnaghat Power Limited (JMPL) has announced the commencement of commercial operation at one of Bangladesh’s largest gas-fired power plants located in Meghnaghat, Narayanganj. This milestone marks a significant step forward in JMPL’s effort to enhance Bangladesh’s energy se

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

JERA announces commercial operation of its Meghnaghat 718MW power plant

FE Online Report
Published :
Jul 28, 2025 20:50
Updated :
Jul 28, 2025 20:50

JERA Meghnaghat Power Limited (JMPL) has announced the commencement of commercial operation at one of Bangladesh’s largest gas-fired power plants located in Meghnaghat, Narayanganj.

This milestone marks a significant step forward in JMPL’s effort to enhance Bangladesh’s energy security and support its economic growth. With a gross capacity of 745 megawatts (MW) and net output of 718 MW, this combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) project is one of the largest and most efficient power plants in Bangladesh, said a company statement Monday.

The project will be able to meet up to 5.0 per cent of the country’s peak electricity demand.

Electricity generated will be sold under a long-term power purchase agreement with the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for a period of 22 years from the start of commercial operation.

As Bangladesh continues to balance affordability, energy access, and infrastructure modernization, it is critical to view large-scale power projects through a multi-decade lens. Bangladesh’s electricity demand is estimated to reach 51,000 MW as the country works towards its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2041, it said.

Access to a reliable power supply is essential to enable a thriving economy and improve livelihoods.

“This project, supported by a consortium of banks including the Japan Bank for International Cooperation and the Asian Development Bank, is designed to bring highly efficient and flexible power generation that can meet the current and future demand reliably, in a sustainable manner. By supporting the development of much-needed energy infrastructure in the country, we are empowering local industries and creating employment opportunities. We will continue to work closely with the relevant authorities and our local partners to contribute to a more energy-secure Bangladesh,” said Yasunori Katsumata, Chief Executive Officer of JMPL.

With the successful commencement of commercial operation, JMPL is pleased to support Bangladesh’s energy transition journey and remains focused on fostering meaningful partnerships to achieve sustainable outcomes over the long term, the statement said.​