In recent times we have heard about the big payment settlements between the Bangladesh government due to Adani Power where the govt paid $437 million to clear all outstanding dues including interest and other interests. This reliance on private energy supplies from India is to be maintained into the foreseeable future as the government has asked them to keep 800 MW units at the Godda plant running as needed, whilst a letter of credit has been provided as sovereign guarantee to ensure timely future payment under the power purchase agreement. This while we know of Bangladesh’s abundance of solar on land and wind power in the Bay of Bengal, as well its gas reserves. This while the Interim government reforms report update, tells us its renewable energy policy initiative is an on going policy review process, whilst also cancelling all 31 letters of intent for renewable energy from the last government.
Here’s now is a basic overview of Bangladesh’s energy consumption by source from 2000 through 2022, based on the latest available official data:
Total Final Energy Consumption (Petajoules – PJ)
| Year | Total Energy (PJ) | Coal, Lignite, Peat (PJ) | Oil (PJ) | Natural Gas (PJ) | Bioenergy & Waste (PJ) | Electricity (PJ) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 634 | 14 | 113 | 149 | 313 | 45 |
| 2005 | 766 | 18 | 132 | 195 | 340 | 80 |
| 2010 | 954 | 23 | 135 | 310 | 361 | 124 |
| 2015 | 1,183 | 83 | 163 | 368 | 383 | 186 |
| 2020 | 1,490 | 229 | 193 | 458 | 321 | 290 |
Based on IAEA/RDS‑1 and UN/OECD data (www-pub.iaea.org, www-pub.iaea.org):
This tell us that the overall energy consumption grew at approx 4.4 % annually from 2000 to 2020 (www-pub.iaea.org, www-pub.iaea.org), with natural gas useage rising 5.8 % annually (149PJ in 2020 to 458 PJ in 2020); coal consumption surged the most rapidly by 15% per annum (14PJ in 2000 to 229PJ in 2020) while Bioenergy & waste remained relatively stable in volume (~313 PJ to ~383 PJ), but its share declined (www-pub.iaea.org, www-pub.iaea.org).
As for the electricity generation and fuel mix, the total electricity generation rose from 14.9 TWh in 2000 to 87 TWh in 2021, a growth of nearly 486 % over the period (database.earth). Fossil fuels share remained much the same with natural gas at 88.8 % in 2000 and 55 % in 2021 while both oil/furnace oil and diesel raising to 27 % in 2021 from 6-7 % in 2020. Coal rose from 0 % in 2000 to 6-7 % in 2021 whilst hydro and other renewables were barely 1 % if that at all (www-pub.iaea.org, PMC, Wikipedia).
Summary & Trends
So in summary, there was a rapid increase in energy demand – nearly tripled between 2000 and 2020. Natural gas dominated as consistently the main commercial energy source, though its share is declining. Coal’s had the fastest raising share from negligible levels in 2000 to approx 15 % of total energy consumption by 2020, and approx 21 % of electricity by 2023. All this while bioenergy use was stagnant as the volume was stable but declining in share. Electricity generation surged with fossil fuels comprising 98–99 %, while renewables (hydro, solar, wind) remain under-developed. So clean energy remains tiny – solar and hydro make up barely ~2 % of electricity, with wind even lower; coal and oil have gained share in recent years (www-pub.iaea.org).
Furthermore, natural gas shortages caused by the depletion of domestic reserves have forced reliance on LNG imports and coal-fired power expansion (Reddit, Reddit) with LNG import infrastructure such as floating terminals at Cox’s Bazar is under expansion to fill supply gaps (Wikipedia). Renewable energy policies aim to scale up solar, wind, biomass and nuclear expansion at the Rooppur nuclear plant, but rollout so far remains very modest (Wikipedia) indeed.
Final Thoughts
Bangladesh’s energy consumption profile since 2000 reflects explosive growth in demand and a heavy reliance on natural gas and oil, with coal rapidly climbing in importance. Traditional biomass continues to serve rural needs but is increasingly overshadowed by commercial fuels. Despite policy ambition, renewable and nuclear energy remain marginal, and fossil dominance continues to deepen with clear energy security implications and balance of trade and payments impacts as well when we are in a middle of a global energy crisis. As for net zero targets and reducing the carbon footprint of energy use during an economy in transition, are clearly not seen as a priority as a country that is seen as a victim of global warming. That said providing homes both rural and urban with their own solar power sources would help not needing to build an extensive grid across the country but also enhance access to energy to all.
