United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh is moving to strengthen its energy security and expand electricity access through a new set of government-funded projects targeting gas exploration, power generation and energy sector capacity building. According to a list of proposed projects under the power and energy sector, the government has taken initiatives worth over Tk 3,600 crore to help meet the country’s growing demand for electricity and fuel amid rapid industrialisation, urbanisation and expanding economic activities. Officials said the projects have been designed to boost domestic gas supply, reduce dependence on imported fuel, improve energy infrastructure and extend electricity coverage to remote areas. Under the power generation sub-sector, a project titled “Electricity Supply through Installation of Solar Panels in Remote Areas of the Chattogram Hill Tracts (3rd Phase)” has been proposed for implementation by the Chattogram Hill Tracts Development Board under the Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs. The project, estimated at Tk 655.30 crore, is scheduled for implementation from July 2026 to June 2031. Officials said the initiative aims to provide clean and sustainable electricity to remote and off-grid areas of the hill districts where extending conventional grid connections remains difficult and costly. Energy experts said expanded solar-based electricity in remote regions would support rural economic activities, education, healthcare and living standards while contributing to Bangladesh’s renewable energy targets. In the energy and mineral resources sub-sector, seven projects have been proposed under the Energy and Mineral Resources Division to strengthen domestic gas exploration, institutional capacity and geological mapping. The largest share of proposed investment has been allocated to gas exploration and development projects under Petrobangla, as the government intensifies efforts to increase local gas production to meet rising demand from industries, power plants and households. One project involves drilling two appraisal-cum-development wells—Titas-32 and Titas-33—in the Titas gas field, at an estimated cost of Tk 632 crore. The project will run from January 2026 to December 2028. Another proposal includes drilling one appraisal-cum-development well, Begumganj-5, and two exploration wells, Begumganj-6 and Sunetra-2, with an estimated cost of Tk 731.24 crore. Petrobangla has also proposed drilling five wells in Bhola—Shahbazpur-9, Shahbazpur-10, Bhola North-5, Bhola North-6 and Bhola North-7—at an estimated cost of Tk 1,242.41 crore between April 2026 and March 2029. In addition, another project proposes drilling three appraisal-cum-development wells—Titas-34, Titas-35 and Titas-36—at a cost of Tk 95 crore from January 2027 to December 2029. Energy officials said the government is prioritising domestic gas exploration to reduce pressure on costly imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply for power generation and industrial production. Bangladesh has been facing rising energy demand due to continued economic growth, expansion of manufacturing industries and higher urban consumption. The country has increasingly relied on LNG imports in recent years following depletion of some mature gas fields. Officials said new gas discoveries and higher output from existing fields are crucial to maintaining energy security and stabilising electricity generation costs. To support institutional development in the sector, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation has proposed a Tk 165.79 crore project to enhance its capacity from January 2026 to December 2029. Sector insiders said the initiative would improve research, training and technical expertise in the petroleum and energy sector. Meanwhile, the Department of Explosives has proposed a Tk 83.01 crore project for construction of its central office building and institutional capacity enhancement. The Geological Survey of Bangladesh has also proposed a technical project titled “Integrated Geological Mapping of Sylhet Division (Geological, Geo-engineering and Geochemical)” involving Tk 49.37 crore from July 2026 to June 2029. Experts said integrated geological mapping would support future mineral and energy resource exploration and strengthen data-based planning in the sector. Officials said the proposed projects reflect the government’s broader strategy to diversify energy sources, expand renewable energy use, increase domestic gas output and strengthen institutional capacity to ensure long-term energy security.