In a striking contrast to global trends, Bangladesh finds itself lagging in the renewable energy sector, as outlined in the latest International Energy Agency (IEA) report on Wednesday. The report indicates that the world is on course to add over 5,500 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity between 2024 and 2030, bringing global renewable electricity generation to nearly half of total demand. However, Bangladesh's progress in adopting renewable technologies, particularly solar and wind, remains dismally low, according to the report. The IEA's `Renewables 2024’ report highlights that while solar photovoltaic (PV) technology is expected to account for a staggering 80% of global renewable capacity growth, countries in the Asia Pacific region, including Bangladesh, are struggling to keep pace. By 2030, solar PV is projected to become the largest renewable generation technology, yet Bangladesh is anticipated to have a variable renewable energy (VRE) share of no more than 5% (Bangladesh's renewable energy share in power generation stands at a mere 1.6%, according to 2022 data.), far behind its regional counterparts. Dave Jones, Ember's director of global insights said, "The renewables growth we've seen so far is just the start. There is twice as much renewable generation forecast to be added in the second half of this decade compared to the first half. Policymakers are embracing solar and wind like never before, but they are still two steps behind the reality on the ground. The market can deliver on renewables, and now governments need to prioritize investing in storage, grids, and other forms of clean flexibility to enable this transformation. The next half decade is going to be one heck of a ride." Tim Buckley, a leading energy analyst and director of Climate Energy Finance, added, despite a strong increase in investments in renewable energy since the December 2023 COP28 pledge to triple installed capacity by 2030, they are not yet on track to meet this goal, with global capacity expected to grow by 2.7 times by the end of the decade. Read: IEA: Asia set to use half of world’s electricity by 2025 "This reflects a 25% lift in collective ambition compared to last year, driven by decreasing costs for solar and battery technologies. Increased support from developed nations is crucial for facilitating the energy transition in developing countries, helping to rapidly decarbonize in line with climate science," Tim Buckley said. "Major economies must commit to bold cuts in emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement and prioritize international cooperation to reduce renewable energy financing costs, especially in critical regions like Africa and Southeast Asia." China alone is set to account for an astonishing 60% of the global renewable capacity growth, making it a dominant player in the renewable energy landscape. Nations like India are leading the charge with rapid renewable expansion, securing over half of the Asia Pacific region's renewable growth from 2024 to 2030. Philippines, Thailand, and South Korea are also set to see their VRE shares rise significantly, yet Bangladesh is mired in slow adoption and infrastructural challenges. This stagnation not only hinders its energy security but also limits the potential economic benefits associated with renewable energy deployment. As the IEA notes, the accelerated deployment of low-cost renewable technologies, especially solar PV and wind, could provide Bangladesh with substantial economic and environmental advantages. However, the country's ongoing reliance on imported fuels for power generation exacerbates its energy security concerns, further emphasizing the urgent need for a robust transition to renewable energy sources. Read more: Dr Yunus praises Russian cooperation in power, energy sectors To avoid falling further behind in this global energy revolution, Bangladesh must urgently implement supportive policies and investment strategies aimed at boosting its renewable energy capacity. The IEA's report serves as a clarion call for policymakers to act decisively in aligning with international renewable energy targets and to address the infrastructural deficits that have hindered progress.

Asia will for the first time use half of the world’s electricity by 2025, even as Africa continues to consume far less than its share of the global population, according to a new forecast released Wednesday by the International Energy Agency. Much of Asia’s electricity use will be in China, a nation of 1.4 billion people whose share of global consumption will rise from a quarter in 2015 to a third by the middle of this decade, the Paris-based body said. “China will be consuming more electricity than the European Union, United States and India combined,” said Keisuke Sadamori, the IEA’s director of energy markets and security. By contrast, Africa — home to almost a fifth of world’s nearly 8 billion inhabitants — will account for just 3% of global electricity consumption in 2025. “This and the rapidly growing population mean there is still a massive need for increased electrification in Africa,” said Sadamori. The IEA’s annual report predicts that nuclear power and renewables such as wind and solar will account for much of the growth in global electricity supply over the coming three years. This will prevent a significant rise in greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector, it said. Scientists say sharp cuts in all sources of emissions are needed as soon as possible to keep average global temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels. That target, laid down in the 2015 Paris climate accord, appears increasingly doubtful as temperatures have already increased by more than 1.1 C since the reference period. One hope for meeting the goal is a wholesale shift away from fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil toward low-carbon sources of energy. But while some regions are reducing their use of coal and gas for electricity production, in others consumption is increasing, the IEA said. The 134-page also report warned that electricity demand and supply are becoming increasingly weather dependent, a problem it urged policymakers to address. “In addition to drought in Europe, there were heat waves in India (last year),” said Sadamori. “Similarly, central and eastern China were hit by heat waves and drought. The United States also saw severe winter storms in December, and all those events put massive strain on the power systems of these regions.” “As the clean energy transition gathers pace, the impact of weather events on electricity demand will intensify due to the increased electrification of heating, while the share of weather-dependent renewables will continue to grow in the generation mix,” the IEA said. “In such a world, increasing the flexibility of power systems while ensuring security of supply and resilience of networks will be crucial.”

A report by five International agencies feared that the target for achieving SDG 7 which ensures universal access to affordable and modern electricity by 2030 might not be achieved due to coronavirus pandemic.