United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam has called for enhanced Japanese investment in key sectors including renewable energy, ICT, infrastructure, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing and manufacturing. The State Minister held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Onishi Yohei on the sidelines of the ‘Dakar International Forum on Peace and Security in Africa’ held in Dakar, Senegal on April 20, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday. They discussed expanding cooperation in trade, investment, connectivity, technology, skills development and people-to-people exchanges. The State Minister expressed appreciation for Japan’s continued support in addressing the Rohingya crisis and sought further assistance to facilitate their early and sustainable repatriation to Myanmar.

The Power Division has prioritised the energy sector as a key focus area as it moves to meet the country’s rising electricity demand in summer amid growing global uncertainties. The country currently has a total installed power generation capacity of 32,332 MW, including 28,919 MW from grid-based sources, while daily demand stands at around 14,500-15,000 MW, according to an official document. However, as the sweltering heat of summer approaches, the stability of the national grid faces a complex set of challenges. Despite having sufficient capacity to meet existing demand, the national grid is expected to come under pressure during the peak summer months, when consumption surges and localised outages become more frequent. These disruptions are largely driven by maintenance requirements, storm damage, and infrastructure limitations in the transmission and distribution networks. A significant hurdle remains the supply of primary fuel. The global energy market has become increasingly volatile due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has complicated the procurement and pricing of energy resources. This international instability trickles down to the local level, making it difficult at times to sustain full supply during the highest consumption hours. In response, the Power Division is implementing a 180-day action plan aligned with the government's election manifesto. This strategy includes diversifying energy sources with a heavy emphasis on renewable energy and coordinating infrastructure development with new generation projects. Beyond technical solutions, the government is focusing on-demand side management. Efforts include holiday staggering for industries and public awareness campaigns through leaflets and videos to encourage energy conservation. By combining short, medium, and long-term planning with intensive project supervision, the Power Division aims to navigate the current global energy crisis while ensuring that the lights stay on for citizens throughout the rising summer temperatures. According to the official document, the government has taken steps to increase power generation in line with the increase in power demand. These included taking the power sector as the highest priority sector, diversifying energy sources for power generation, ensuring primary energy supply for power generation and formulating a 180-day action plan in light of the government's election manifesto. It has also taken steps for formulating and implementing short, medium and long-term plans for power generation, construction/development of transmission and distribution infrastructure in coordination with power generation, campaigning (leaflets, videos) to increase consumer awareness on energy conservation, holiday staggering and demand side and supply side management, etc, and giving importance to power generation from renewable energy. The Power Division has also taken steps for ensuring necessary financing for the power sector in the annual development programme and timely implementation of power projects through intensive supervision and quickly identifying and resolving problems in project implementation.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Thursday said Bangladesh would import more wheat and fertiliser from Russia and also keen to see Russian energy giant Gazprom conducts more offshore and onshore exploration activities in the country. The issues came up for discussion when Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Alexei Overchuk met Dr Yunus on the sidelines of the Boao Forum for Asia Conference in the Chinese resort town. During the meeting the two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest, including the operation of the Russian-funded Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Bangladesh's plan to import wheat and fertiliser from Russia and Gazprom's gas exploration work in Bangladesh. Prof Yunus said financial issues over the Rooppur power plant have been sorted out with Bangladesh repaying the money in an account in Dhaka, according to CA's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder. Russia keen to help Bangladesh ensure food, energy security: Ambassador Khozin He said the power plant is expected to start generating power on a trial basis by the end of this year. Alexei Overchuk stressed increasing people-to-people contacts between the two countries, saying Russia would like to see more Bangladeshi students studying in the country. He said Russia would like to export more wheat and fertiliser to Bangladesh. Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, Energy and Transport Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan and High Representative to the Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman were also present during the meeting.    

Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Masdar, two major companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tuesday rolled out plans to invest in port development, management, logistics and the renewable energy sectors in Bangladesh. Ahmad Ibrahim Al Mutawa, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG), and Fatima Almadhloum Alsuwaidi, Head of Development & Investment, Asia-Pacific Region, Masdar, came up with the investment proposals when they called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna. "Bangladesh is ready for business,” said the Chief Adviser, appreciating the investment proposals. “Bring your people and set up as many plants as you want,” he added. Saudi Embassy issued over 2.2 million workers' visas in last 3 years: Ambassador Abu Dhabi Ports Group is the fourth major port handlers and logistics company after DP World of UAE, AP Moller Maersk of Denmark, and Red Sea Gateway Terminal of Saudi Arabia to express interest in Bangladesh’s port management in less than a week. Abu Dhabi Ports Group has expressed interest in developing one of the proposed three Bay Terminals through financing, operating, and maintaining container and multipurpose terminals and facilities under a joint venture with the Chittagong Port Authority. Group CEO Al Mutawa praised the welcoming attitude of Bangladeshi authorities and hoped its investment would help increase ship movement in Bangladeshi ports. Renewable energy company Masdar proposed to invest $500 million in reclaimed land on the coast to set up a 250-megawatt solar power project, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. “We are very supportive of showcasing new ideas to Bangladesh,” Masdar’s regional head of investment, Fatima Almadhloum Alsuwaidi, said. Saudi Ambassador honored with prestigious "Bangladesh Medal for Diplomatic Excellence" Abdulla Ali ALHmoudi, UAE ambassador to Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, High Representative of of the Chief Adviser, and Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary for SDG affairs, were also present on the occasion. Abdulla Ali Alhmoudi handed over an invitation from Dubai ruler to the Chief Adviser to attend the World Government Summit in the UAE in February.

Energy Adviser Dr Fouzul Kabir Khan has assured that contracts in the power and energy sectors will now be awarded based on merit and efficiency rather than political connections, a shift he believes will foster competition and drive economic growth. Speaking at a seminar titled “Way of Mitigating Energy Crisis in Industrial Sector,” organised by the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) at a city hotel on Saturday, Dr Khan criticised past practices that favoured politically connected businesses over capable contenders. Call to increase investment in renewable energy in Global South “For 15 years, only a select group of businessmen with ties to ministers or the government secured contracts, stifling healthy competition and, in turn, suppressing the economy. This will change now, as private investment is being encouraged, and contracts will be merit-based,” he said. The seminar, chaired by BCI President Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury Parvez, brought together policymakers and industry leaders to discuss the energy crisis hampering industrial growth. Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin supported Dr Khan’s vision, highlighting improvements under the current interim government. “Today, businesses are no longer required to pay extortion fees to secure deals. This transparency should motivate entrepreneurs to innovate and embrace modern technology,” he said, urging stakeholders to seize this window of opportunity. Bangladesh needs smart grid system to keep power supply stable: Energy Adviser Industrialists shared grievances about the acute shortage of gas and electricity in hubs like Narayanganj, Savar and Gazipur. BCI President Parvez revealed alarming statistics, stating that 200 industries shut down between March and September this year due to the energy crisis, with another 300 at risk. Dr Khan attributed the issues to years of misallocated public investment and mismanagement but expressed optimism about reforms underway. “We must invest in renewable energy and sustainable solutions. Solar power plants can provide a viable alternative for industries,” he urged. The Adviser also disclosed plans for an open tender to transport 70 million cubic feet of gas from Bhola to Dhaka, emphasising the importance of transparent processes. Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker highlighted stable gas supplies until 2030 and encouraged local businesses to explore opportunities in offshore gas exploration through international tenders. The seminar concluded with calls for industry-wide collaboration to address the energy crisis and a renewed commitment to transparency and competition in awarding contracts.

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has sought cooperation from Japan to implement Bangladesh's integrated energy and power master plan.  "Japan can help prepare and implement a smart and detailed master plan which will take forward other sectors from behind,”  he told Iwama Kiminori, the newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh, while making a courtesy call on him at the power and energy ministry on Tuesday.   The state minister said that a smart power and energy master plan is needed for a smart Bangladesh. Welcoming the newly appointed ambassador of Japan, he said Bangladesh will require $30 billion in investment in the next 5 years to implement the projects to be undertaken under the master plan. He floated an idea that a joint operation and maintenance company could be formed which could save both money and time for Bangladesh. "JICA can support Bangladesh Power Management Institute to make it an international standard institution," he added. During the meeting they discussed various issues related to mutual interest. Progress of different projects in the power and energy sector including Matarbari Power Hub, underground cables and sub-stations, prepaid meters, smart meters, gas meters and upcoming projects also came up for discussion. The ambassador thanked the State Minister for 100 percent electrification and said that Japan will always cooperate in the development activities of Bangladesh. He said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will work on capacity building for human resource development in Bangladesh. Iwama Kiminori said that many more small and large Japanese companies are showing interest in coming to Bangladesh after witnessing the success of the Japanese company ONUDA in manufacturing gas meters. He also said that the concept of 'Smart Bangladesh' will transform Bangladesh into a developed Bangladesh by 2041.    

At a time when the government has been emphasising austerity and efficiency in the energy sector, two repowering projects aiming to add 825 MW to the national grid at the state-owned Ghorashal Power Station have missed their scheduled deadline to start operating.  It is cheaper for the government to purchase electricity from state-owned plants than private ones with their higher tariffs. Repowering is the process of replacing older power stations, or units at power stations, with newer ones that either have greater capacity or more efficiency, resulting in a net increase of power generated.  According to a government document, seen by UNB, the two projects are the repowering of 416 MW Unit-3 and the 409 MW repowering of Unit -4 at the Ghorashal Power Station (GPS). Read more: 2 weeks after grid failure, Ghorashal Power Station’s unit-5 resumes operation Official sources said after the government had undertaken the two projects more than 7 years ago as part of a plan to repower the two units in order to generate electricity at relatively cheaper cost using the available gas supply facilities. The government selected two separate EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) contractors for the two projects, which were awarded the jobs on turnkey basis. Of these a consortium of GE (Switzerland) GmbH and CMC, China was selected for unit-3 of the Ghorashal Power Station while China Energy Engineering Group, Guangdong Power Engineering Co. Ltd. (CEEC) was awarded unit-4. Unit 3: At least 9 months more The state-owned Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) signed the EPC contract with Consortium of GE (Switzerland) GmbH and CMC, China in February 2016 to implement the 416 MW unit-3 combined cycle power project. The agreement was effective on January 22 in 2017 setting a deadline for the simple cycle’s commercial operation date (COD) in January 2019 while  the combined cycle’s COD was set for September 2022. The contractor failed to complete its job as per the schedule. The document says the issue of the project was discussed in a review meeting at the Power Division on 14 November, where it was informed that the project will need at least 9 months more time to start its commercial operation as the “hot “commissioning of turbines is not possible before that. “Due to problems with the blades on the compressor side of the gas turbine, it now remains shut. The tender document was sent to the contractor for the work,” it was mentioned as the review meeting’s resolution. Read more: Power supply in Dhaka: Until Ghorashal working in full capacity, situation won’t improve Unit 4: Russia in the mix On the other hand, the document shows, the BPDB signed a contract with the contractor on June 6 in 2016 for implementing the repowering job of the 409 MW unit-4 combined cycle power project within 3 years and four months. As per the agreement, the COD of the simple cycle of the project was set for April 2018 while the combined cycle’s COD for October 2019. Although after a six month-delay the simple cycle came into operation in October 2018, the combined cycle has failed to come into commercial operation till now. The issue was also discussed in the review meeting of the Power Division where it was informed by the BPDB that the commissioning of the Steam Turbine of the project was not possible because of different problems including “high rotor eccentricity and high shaft vibration”. As per the meeting’s resolution, it is mentioned that the contractor was asked to submit a new proposal by contracting with the original equipment manufacturer, said to be Russian. The work needs further approval of the Cabinet Committee on Government Procurement (CCGP) as the existing contract has no scope to allow additional cost for the steam turbine’s required repairs. Despite repeated attempts, BPDB’s additional chief engineer Abdul Basit, who was the project director, could not be reached on his mobile phone to comment on this story.    Read more: 3-hr cuts in Desco areas after Ghorashal 365MW plant breaks down The Power Division official said the cost of power generation through government plants is much lower than that of private plants. “But as such public sector plants are not coming into operation as per schedule, the government will be deprived of cheaper electricity while it’s struggling with buying electricity at a higher rate from the private sector,” said an official who wanted not to be named.   

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen and Scottish Minister for Environment and Land Reform Mairi McAllan have agreed to strengthen cooperation in the renewable energy sector. They discussed the issue during a bilateral meeting held on the sidelines of COP27 on Thursday. The two ministers discussed the possibilities of unlocking opportunities for engaging in offshore wind power and hydrogen to further broaden Bangladesh’s energy mix. Minister McAllan underscored Scotland’s support for ‘loss and damage’. Minister Momen stressed the critical importance of the issue for climate vulnerable countries. Read more: Bangladesh is a lucrative country for foreign investment: Foreign Minister He urged that the concerns of those displaced due to climate change are also addressed as part of that. Momen also thanked the Scottish government for hosting COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021. Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Momen met Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland. They exchanged views on COP27 issues that are of particular interest to the Commonwealth member states. They particularly discussed ways for the effective implementation of the Commonwealth Blue Charter for a fair, inclusive and sustainable approach to ocean protection and economic development. Citing Bangladesh as a powerful champion of climate change causes, Secretary General Scotland requested Bangladesh to consider leading one of the Action Groups under the Commonwealth Blue Charter. Read more: ‘Reports misquoting me tried to create adverse situation between Bangladesh, US’ Foreign Minister Momen endorsed the Commonwealth Secretary General’s suggestion to create a high-level core group for raising awareness on mental health issues. He also requested to provide increased number of Commonwealth scholarships for Bangladeshi students. The Secretary General informed the Minister about a new opportunity being created for training young people from the Commonwealth member states in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Bangladesh Ambassador to Egypt Md. Monirul Islam was also present at the meetings.

Jatiya Party Chairman GM Quader on Friday demanded that a white paper on corruption in the energy sector be published.   “The people of the country want to know how many thousands of crores of takas of corruption have been committed in the energy sector every year.  Who are involved in the corruption?” he said.  Speaking at the council Jatiya Party’s Mirpur and Shahali Thana units at the Eidgah Ground on National Zoo Road in the capital's Mirpur area, GM Quader also said a list of those involved in the corruption should be published to bring them to justice. He said they also want to know the list of those who are siphoning off thousands of crores of takas abroad every year. The money launderers should be brought to justice.” The Jatiya Party chief alleged that Tk4 lakh crores were deposited from Bangladesh to Swiss banks last year. “The government is putting itself under questions by not disclosing the money launderers’ information.” Read:Govt hardly cares about public sufferings: GM Quader He accused the government of favouring the offenders by not taking action against the corrupt and money launderers.  “The common people think that the current government is not disclosing the information of corruption to save the influential persons and the ruling party leaders,” the Jatiya Party chairman observed.  He said that some ruling party leaders look for conspiracy even if Jatiya Party talks about the interests of the country. “As we said, the country is going to be a failed state like Sri Lanka, we’re called fools.  But why is the entire country now facing loadshedding?  Why has the price of the dollar increased so much? Why has the price of fuel increased so much?” GM Quader said.

Prime Minister’s energy advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has urged officials to work towards building a diversified energy sector. "Creative solutions have to be taken up for resolving the problems in the power and energy sector," he said, while addressing a webinar, titled 'Diversified Energy, Enriched Future', organised by the Energy and Mineral Resources Department on the occasion of the National Energy Security Day Tuesday.      The PM's energy advisor advocated the use of solar power instead of diesel in irrigation pumps. "If we could introduce solar irrigation pumps, it could save half a million metric tonnes of diesel," he said. Defending the government’s gas import policy, Dr Chowdhury said it was introduced as part of the diversified fuel-mix policy.   Read: Westerners have put us into the danger: PM’s Energy Advisor "It is not true that there was no drilling in past 5-10 years in the country. Rather, 35 wells were drilled in the past five years, which means an average of seven wells have been drilled in a year." With senior secretary Md Mahbub Hossain in the chair, the event was also addressed by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid, chairman of the parliamentary standing on power and energy Begum Waseka Ayesha Khanom, power secretary Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) chairman ABM Azad, and Petrobangla chairman Nazmul Ahsan.  'Energy and Power' magazine editor Mollah Amzad Hossain and Dhaka University professor Dr Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan made two separate presentations at the event.  On his part, Nasrul Hamid said that Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman had shown great courage by purchasing five gas fields from a foreign company on August 9 in 1975. “We’ve been getting the benefits of the great deal to date,” he said. "We have to follow his path by showing courage in taking decisions in the energy sector." He also urged all to face the current challenges in the energy sector through unity and patience. "Post-pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war might not be the last one. Many more dismays may come in the days to come." Begum Waseka Ayesha Khanom said that appropriate technologies and fundamental research works should get priority in resolving the problems of the power and energy sector.  Read: Energy crisis: Parts of Dhaka to experience 3-hour load shedding Sunday Habibur Rahman, on the other hand, said the government has framed electric vehicle policy to encourage use of electricity in the transport sector. "Initiatives have been taken up for setting up offshore wind power plants as renewable options." Modular nuclear power plants are also being considered for the future electricity generation, he added.  Nazmul Ahsan said that Petrobangla has initiated a move to drill 46 wells in the next few years, "which will result in increasing production of natural gas by 600 million cubic feet gas to the national grid". ABM Azad, on his part, said that BPC is implementing a single point mooring project which will annually save Tk 800 crore in petroleum transportation from deep sea to the fuel refinery in Chattogram.