Energy & Power Magazine - EP_22_16 (Energy & Power Vol 21 Issue 16 Feb 1, 2025)

In this issue

Bangladesh is facing a growing energy crisis as domestic gas reserves continue to decline while demand rises. With no immediate infrastructure to expand LNG imports, the country is struggling to bridge the supply gap. Plans for a third FSRU and other RLNG import initiatives have been canceled or stalled, making the situation even more challenging. Since 2018, local gas production has been decreasing, with only limited discoveries—mostly in Bhola, which isn’t connected to the national grid. Currently, maintaining production at around 2,000 MMCFD is proving difficult. Recent data from Petrobangla shows that on January 27–28, 2025, the total gas supply reached 2,736.3 MMCFD, including 813.3 MMCFD from imported LNG. However, the deficit still exceeded 1,200 MMCFD. The country has just 7.6 Tcf of proven gas reserves left, having consumed 14 Tcf over the past 24 years while adding only 2 Tcf in discoveries. To address this, Petrobangla has launched a competitive bidding process for exploration. The 50-well drilling program now requires more time, pushing completion to June 2026, while a 100-well program is set to begin the same year. Experts believe that if both programs are completed by 2028, production could stabilize at 1,800–2,000 MMCFD.

IEA Forecasts Record Nuclear Electricity Production in 2025

Nuclear-powered electricity generation is set to hit a record level in 2025, accounting for nearly percent of global 10 production, the International Energy Agency forecast recently.

1 min

Chevron Names Laura Lane as New VP

Chevron Corp. has Cappointed Laura Lane as its new Vice President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, effective February 1, 2025.

1 min

Exxon Mobil Discovers Gas Offshore Egypt

Exxon Mobil Egypt (Upstream) Ltd. has completed the drilling of the Nefertari 1 well in the North Marakia Block with the Valaris DS-9 drillship, the company posted on its LinkedIn recently.

1 min

Global Electric Car Sales Rise by 25% in 2024

Electric car sales rose by 25 percent globally last year, surging in China but slowing in Europe, according to figures published recently by the British consultancy Rho Motion.

1 min

Plastic Goods Makers, Exporters Want Gas Prices at Tk30 per Unit

The Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) has called for the government to maintain the current gas price at Tk30 per unit.

1 min

Russian Ship with Rooppur Power Plant Machinery Reaches Mongla Port

A Russian flag-carrier ship, MV Melina, has arrived at Mongla Seaport with goods for the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (RNPP).

1 min

2,412 DESCO, DPDC Engrs., Staff Plead to CA for Due Salaries

More than 2,412 engineers and staff of the Dhaka Electricity Supply Company Ltd (DESCO) and Dhaka Power Distribution Company Ltd (DPDC), who were employed on a temporary basis through different outsourcing companies, are being deprived of getting their actual salaries even giving relentless after services to the companies to ensure smooth supply and management of electricity.

1 min

Boiler Blast Leaves 30 Hurt in Gazipur Factory

Atleast 30 Areadymade garment (RMG) workers were injured in a boiler blast in a factory in Sreepur upazila of Gazipur recently.

1 min

NRPCL Coal Power Plant Starts Trial Generation

The newly constructed 1,320-megawatt coal-fired Norinco-Rural Power Company Limited (NRPCL) power plant in Kalapara upazila of Patuakhali has started trial electricity generation recently.

1 min

WB to Give $30m for Power Transmission

The World Bank (WB) will provide Bangladesh with an additional $30 million to help the country build up its power transmission network in eastern regions.

1 min

Govt Now Focuses on Gas Exploration

On 8 January, following a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec), Dr Planning Adviser Wahiduddin Mahmud said the previous government focused more on LNG imports rather than drilling new wells.

1 min

Coal Production at Barapukuria Resumes after 43 Days

Coal production at Barapukuria Car Coal Mining Company Limited resumed recently following a 43-day suspension for relocating equipment, said Khan Mohammad Zafor Sadiq, general manager (operation-mine) of BCMCL.

1 min

Empowering Communities Sustainable Progress Innovation

Summit Power International is transforming Bangladesh's infrastructure with innovative solutions across sectors. Backed by global partnerships and foreign investments, we set new standards in development. At Summit, we empower communities and build a stronger, more prosperous future.

8 mins

A Reenergized BAPEX May Help Increase Local Gas Production

If anyone with knowledge and information about Bangladesh's Energy sector is asked about the main challenge, the answer would be primary fuel or gas supply.

6 mins

Experts For Exploring Domestic Hydrocarbon Resources To Address Energy Crisis

Experts have urged the authorities concerned to intensify hydrocarbon exploration in the local sources to reduce overdependency on imported fuel and address the country's energy crisis.

6 mins

BB Governor Assures IPPs to Help Address Forex Losses

Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur has assured independent power producers of effective measures to address their mounting foreign exchange losses.

1 min

Govt to Revisit IPP Tariffs Amid Pricing Concerns

\"The interim government is set to independent form a committee to review the tariffs of power producers (IPPs), Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said recently.

1 min

Titas Gas Disconnects Illegal Lines of Manikganj Washing Factory

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC has disconnected the illegal gas connection at Mubtadi Washing Factory, a large washing plant located on the Dhaka-Aricha Highway in Manikganj as part of the ongoing drive against illegal gas connections across its areas.

1 min

Govt Rejects Summit's Plea to Revive Canceled Deals on Second FSRU

The interim government has turned down Summit Group's plea to revive the canceled contract earlier signed to build its second floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali island in the Bay of Bengal.

1 min

Mitsubishi Power Advances Thailand's Energy Development

Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), today announced the successful, on-schedule completion of the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) of a 1,400 MW natural gas-fired gas turbine combined (GTCC) power plant.

1 min

BSTI to Frame Safety Standards to Avoid Gas Cooking Accidents

Bangladesh Standards (BSTI), the national standards-setting and regulatory body, is going to formulate 17 safety standards to prevent accidents in gas cooking used in households.

1 min

World Bank Offers Cheaper $350m Loan Guarantee for LNG Imports

The World proposed Bank has a $350 million loan guarantee facility for Bangladesh, presenting more favorable terms than the current foreign financing option and creating a new avenue to support the country's longterm liquefied natural gas (LNG) import requirements in 2025.

1 min

Clear Dues by June to Avoid Surcharges: Adani Tells PDB

India's Adani Power has warned the Bangladesh Power Development Board (PDB) recently to clear the outstanding bills of $845 million within June to avoid late payment surcharges.

1 min

Power Grid Revenue Grows amid Persistent Losses

Power Company Bangladesh, Grid of a government-owned company responsible for power transmission throughout the country, saw its revenue increase in the fiscal year 2023-24 despite persistent losses putting a dent in its earnings.

1 min

Bangladesh Signs LNG Deal with US Firm

Bangladesh has signed a non-binding agreement with a US firm, Argent LNG, to purchase up to 5 million tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) annually.

1 min

PDB Plans to Cut Cost by Tk 10,000cr in FY25

The interim government has come up with a plan to reduce power sector expenses by Tk 10,000 crore while energy experts term the plan impractical, saying that the right intervention could save Tk 30,000 crore overnight.

1 min

LNG Subsidies Set to Go Ballooning This FY

State subsidies on account of LNG import in the current fiscal year (FY 202425) are estimated to be around Tk 160 billion, nearly three times the previous FY's Tk 60.35 billion.

1 min

IRENA to Host Secretariat for Global Coalition on Energy Planning

'The outgoing President The G20 Brazil has invited IRENA to serve as the Secretariat of the Global Coalition on Energy Planning (GCEP).

1 min

Vietnam, Russia Sign Nuclear Energy Development Pact

Russia and Vietnam recently signed a memorandum understanding developing of on nuclear energy cooperation during a two-day visit by the Russian prime minister to the Southeast Asian nation.

1 min

Japan Unveils Draft for Updated Energy Plan

Japan has released the draft for its updated strategic energy plan, with nuclear still remaining to play a big part in the country's power generation.

1 min

LPG Operators Seek 15-Yr Loan Rescheduling with Interest Waivers

Bangladesh's LPG sector is sounding alarms, urging the central bank for a bailout to stave off a potential collapse.

1 min

Vianode Signs Supply Agreement for EV Battery-Grade Anode Graphite with GM

Vianode, an advanced battery materials company, has been selected as a strategic supplier of high-performance anode graphite solutions to General Motors (NYSE:GM).

1 min

Aramco Awards $9.0b Contracts to be Executed Locally

Saudi Arabian Oil Co. recently signed 145 deals totaling about $9 billion as part of the oil giant's InKingdom Total Value Add (iktva) program.

1 min

Policy Inconsistency Drives Foreign Firms Away from Bangladesh's Solar Projects

\"The new solar power projects floated by the interim government are riskier for investors as the tender conditions allow for payment delays or defaults alongside power purchase contract cancellation without enough compensation, experts and investors said recently.

1 min

Bangladesh Launches 500 MW Solar Tender

The Bangladeshi authorities are seeking proposals to build 10 PV plants with each a capacity of 50 MW across several regions.

1 min

Trump Halts Leasing and Permitting for Wind Energy Projects

President Donald Trump signed an recently temporarily halting offshore wind lease sales in federal waters and pausing the issuance of approvals, permits and loans for both onshore and offshore wind projects.

1 min

Renewable Ambitions Still Mired in Uncertainty

AIthough the Awami League government made ambitious commitments to renewable energy before being ousted by a mass uprising in August last year, meeting those lofty goals remains a distant dream for the country.

1 min

China's New Energy Storage Capacity Surges

In 2024 alone, China added 42.37 Gw/101.13 GWh of new GW/101.13 GWh of new storage capacity (excluding pumped hydro), with an average discharge duration of 2.3 hours-up from 2.1 hours in 2023.

1 min

Wood Mackenzie Predicts Solar Growth to Stagnate in 2025

Wood Mackenzie's latest report forecasts that 493 GW (DC) of solar will be added throughout the world this year, compared to 495 GW in 2024.

1 min

Sembcorp Inks MOUS with Odisha Govt During Singapore President's Visit

Sembcorp Industries (Sembcorp), through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Sembcorp Green and Hydrogen India Private Limited.

1 min

ACWA Power, Solarabic among Winners at 2025 MESIA Solar Awards

The Middle East Solar Industry Association (MESIA) honored several of the region's most significant contributors at the 2025 edition of its annual MESIA Solar Awards.

1 min

20MW Muktagachha Solar Plant Set for June Production

Muktagacha Solartech Energy Limited, a 20MW power project in Mymensingh, is set to begin production in June with construction progressing at full speed.

1 min

15th IRENA Assembly to Set Energy Transition Narrative for 2025

The 15th Session of the International International Energy Agency Renewable (IRENA) Assembly convenes on January 12 in Abu Dhabi, marking the first international energy meeting of the year.

1 min

Global Action Key to Tackle Climate Change: Rizwana

Environment Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan has called for unified global action to confront the challenges of climate change.

1 min

US Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement Again

President Donald Trump signed an executive order recently directing the United States to the withdraw from landmark Paris climate agreement, dealing a blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and once again distancing the U.S. from its closest allies.

1 min

Billionaire Bloomberg to Fund UN Climate Body after US Withdrawal

Billionaire Michael Bloomberg announced recently that his foundation will step in to fund the UN climate change body after President Donald Trump declared the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement for the second time.

1 min

Top Canada Banks Quit Global Climate Coalition

Four of Canada's biggest lenders said recently they were withdrawing from a global banking sector climate coalition, joining six major US banks.

1 min

Bangladesh, Germany Strengthen Cooperation for Sustainable Development

In a significant step towards promoting sustainable development, three technical cooperation agreements were signed on Jan 15 between Bangladesh and Germany.

1 min

Denmark, AUW to Promote Women's Climate Leadership

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Christian Brix Moller has said Asian University for Women (AUW), as a university women's promoting leadership and offering higher education to the most vulnerable women from diverse backgrounds, uniquely positioned to implement the promises of climate leadership project.

1 min

242m Children's Schooling Disrupted by Climate Shocks in 2024: UNICEF

Extreme weather disrupted the schooling of about 242 million children in 85 countries last year roughly one in seven students, the UN children's agency reported recently, deploring what it said was an \"overlooked\" aspect of the climate crisis.

1 min

Stricter Enforcement of Polythene Ban Crucial for Future Generation: Rizwana

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and the Ministry of Water Resources, recently stressed that the ban on enforcing polythene is essential not only because it is legally mandated but also to ensure a healthy future for children.

1 min

Thailand's Fight against Air Pollution

Flying Bangkok's cloudless blue skies, a small aircraft sprays a white mist over a thick haze of pea soup smog below.

1 min

Politics has 'Weaponized' Science: UN Climate Chief

The UN's climate chief recently said that the science of global warming had been \"weaponized\" by politics, a day after Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement.

1 min

ALL EYES ARE ON STUDENTS' BID TO LAUNCH A POLITICAL PARTY

Launching a student-led political party in Bangladesh is a matter of months if not weeks.

2 mins

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Energy & Power Magazine Description:

Energy & Power (EP) is the first and only full-fledged fortnightly magazine that deals with the much cried over energy and power sector in Bangladesh. Since its inception in June 16, 2003, EP is working very hard to 
a) Develop public consciousness on sustainable and even development of energy sector; 
b) Assist the policy makers in assuming pragmatic policies for a balanced development of the energy sector; 
c) Continuous supply of information among public; and 
d) Develop a group of reporters in this field 

Bangladesh is an energy deficit country like other countries in the region and most of the people do not have adequate access to the energy and power. The country is completely dependent on fossil energy source; at the same time, it is one of the most inefficient energy using countries in the world. 
It lacks efficiency in planning, management, generation, distribution, load management and even at the end user level consumption. 
In spite of the above drawbacks, issues relating to utilization of renewable energy, exploring alternative use of energy, planned use of environment friendly energy are significantly undermined in Bangladesh. 
The biggest challenge of Bangladesh is to find a path for balanced growth of its energy sector. Despite its resource constraints, EP dynamically strives to provide theenergy sector with a flow of information and create public awareness; so that policymakers get guidelines and platforms for its sustainable development.

Code of Ethics 
EP believes that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. The duty of a journalist is to further those ends by seeking truth and providing a fair and comprehensive account of events and issues and professional integrity is the cornerstone of a journalist's credibility. We strive to serve the public with thoroughness and honesty.

The EP editorial policy is to share a dedication to ethical behavior and uphold the zero conflict of interest principles and highest standards of practice. 

EP believes in 
o Seeking truth and reporting the same 
o Minimize harm