Electricity in Bangladesh in 2024
In 2024, Bangladesh's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, representing an impressive 82% of its total electricity mix. Gas, being the largest contributor within this sector, accounts for more than four-tenths of the total. Coal follows, contributing almost three-tenths to the electricity generation, while net imports of fossil-generated electricity suffice for about one-sixth. Conversely, low-carbon or clean electricity generation in Bangladesh stands at a modest 2%, consisting almost entirely of solar energy. This reliance on fossil fuels underscores potential environmental concerns, particularly related to climate change and pollution, and paves the way for an urgent transition towards more sustainable energy sources.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Bangladesh?
Despite the heavy reliance on fossil fuels, the electricity consumption per capita in Bangladesh has declined slightly compared to 2022. In 2024, the electricity consumption stands at 608 kilowatt-hours per person, a decrease of 41 kilowatt-hours from the 2022 record of 649 kilowatt-hours per person. However, there's a glimmer of progress when it comes to low-carbon electricity generation. The latest report shows that per capita generation of low-carbon electricity increased by 3 kilowatt-hours since 2022, reaching 12 kilowatt-hours. While this slight improvement reflects efforts towards incorporating cleaner energy alternatives, the overall electricity consumption decline might indicate challenges in addressing increased demand or expanding generation capacity.
Suggestions
To foster an increase in low-carbon electricity generation, Bangladesh can look to successful regions with similar renewable potentials. For instance, Bangladesh could learn from Nevada, where solar energy generates a significant 33% of the total electricity, a path to consider given Bangladesh's sunny climate. Additionally, integrating nuclear energy into the electricity mix, as exemplified by France, where nuclear energy contributes a substantial 70% of electricity generation, can help diversify and stabilize the energy grid. By investing in these proven clean energy solutions, Bangladesh can reduce its heavy dependence on fossil fuels, cut pollution, and move towards a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future.
History
The history of low-carbon electricity in Bangladesh, primarily hydro and now complemented by solar power, highlights a fluctuating yet persistent effort to harness clean energy. In the earlier decades like the 1980s, hydro contributed modestly to the electricity mix, albeit with occasional ups and downs. In the 1990s and early 2000s, there were sporadic increases and decreases, with a notable decline in 1995. The past decade saw intermittent growth, with hydro generation remaining erratic. Notably, a significant shift occurred in recent years, with solar generation marking a steady rise since 2022, indicating a promising yet gradual transition towards sustainable energy sources. This history signifies both the challenges faced and the potential for growth in low-carbon electricity generation if consistent investment and development strategies are employed.
