Energy is essential for fulfilling the diverse needs of humanity, encompassing fundamental electrification, industrialization, and continued advancement. The demand for energy is experiencing a significant upward trajectory, driven by population growth, economic development, and technological advancements. Should the current rate of energy consumption persist, the existing reserves of discovered energy resources are projected to be exhausted within a few decades. It has been observed that the global reserves of fossil fuels are diminishing rapidly due to their multifaceted applications, predominantly in the generation of electricity. The availability of electricity is crucial for the world to progress both technologically and in a sustainable manner. Its utilization is expanding on a global scale, propelled by technological advancements and increasing urbanization. Each moment, electrical devices are consuming progressively greater amounts of energy owing to high-tech innovations, escalating demand, and occasionally, the inefficient and wasteful use of electrical and electronic devices. No nation can endure without energy or electricity, as it serves as the pivotal engine driving technological, social, economic, environmental, and sustainable development.
Renewable energy has garnered substantial global attention due to its capacity to alleviate climate change and decrease carbon emissions. Bangladesh, akin to numerous other nations, encounters energy-related challenges, including a deficit in electricity supply, a heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources, and a burgeoning demand for electricity. In recent years, Bangladesh has undertaken initiatives to foster renewable energy, establishing a governmental objective of generating 10% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2021, which was later amended to 20% by 2025, thereby underscoring the significance of renewable energy. Investment in renewable energy could address the increasing energy demand, generate employment opportunities, alleviate energy poverty, and enhance energy security. Although Bangladesh has historically depended on fossil fuels, a notable transition towards renewable energy has occurred, driven by the imperatives of sustainable development goals.
Bangladesh possesses a severely constrained supply of natural gas and coal for electricity generation. The nation is currently producing 723.26 Megawatts (MW) of electricity from renewable sources, comprising 67.61% from solar, 31.80% from hydro, and 0.58% from other sources, including wind, biogas, and biomass, with 489 MW of electricity generated from over 6 million (63,25,278) installed solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems as of mid-April 2021, alongside a total of 6,408,721 operational renewable energy plants. Bangladesh represents a promising region for the exploitation of solar, wind, and bioenergy, complemented by limited hydropower resources, notwithstanding the fact that over 42% of rural communities remain without access to electricity. Bangladesh necessitates future planning and management strategies that are sustainable in nature.
In this context, developing nations such as Bangladesh are actively seeking sustainable energy alternatives to fulfill their energy requirements. The national landscape of Bangladesh is endowed with potential renewable energy resources that include solar energy, hydroelectric power, wind energy, and biomass. From a geographical standpoint, the country possesses favorable conditions for the enhancement of renewable energy production, and its geographic attributes bestow several advantages that facilitate its capacity to excel in the generation of sustainable energy. Moreover, Bangladesh stands as a region rich in both natural and human resources, offering immense potential. However, to effectively harness these resources and mitigate the challenges currently faced, the nation is lacking a systematic strategy. Despite the prevailing poverty affecting a significant portion of its population, Bangladesh is endeavoring to improve its economic circumstances, as evidenced by a notable GDP growth of 11.33% from 2020 to 2021.
Within the country, there exists a plethora of natural resources, including natural gas, petroleum, and coal. In the context of Bangladesh, natural gas serves as the principal source of power and energy. Recently, the government has articulated its intentions and policy directives aimed at extending electricity services nationwide by the year 2021. The governmental strategy includes plans to augment electricity production beyond anticipated levels in order to satisfy the demands of an expanding middle-class population and to facilitate growth within the export-driven economy.
Sustainability trends in the energy sector play an instrumental role in fostering sustainable development across any nation globally. In terms of sustainability and economic viability, the renewable energy initiative launched by the Bangladeshi government, in conjunction with the private sector and microfinance institutions, aims to expand the solar energy program. These developments in renewable and sustainable energy will exert a significant influence on the country’s energy landscape. When juxtaposed with the global energy scenario, Bangladesh's primary energy resources are deemed inadequate. The conservation of natural resources is constrained within Bangladesh. Given this context, it is imperative for the nation to cultivate renewable and sustainable energy sources.
In recent times, Bangladesh has encountered numerous opportunities to harness renewable and sustainable energy resources for electricity generation. The advancement of renewable and sustainable energy resources is pivotal to Bangladesh's developmental trajectory. The government has made substantial strides in delivering electricity to the populace in both urban and rural settings through the utilization of these energy sources.
The potential for renewable and sustainable energy in Bangladesh is particularly favorable with respect to solar energy. Solar energy is recognized as a prominent sustainable energy source, which is employed in rural, hilly, and coastal regions of Bangladesh. The status of solar home systems and photovoltaic micro-utility systems in Bangladesh has been systematically identified. The primary aim of dams and water reservoirs is to facilitate the generation of hydroelectricity. Bangladesh has successfully implemented micro and mini-hydropower initiatives. Biomass represents one of the viable renewable energy sources within Bangladesh. The constituents of biomass energy include animal waste, agricultural by-products, and municipal solid waste. The transformation of wind energy into electrical or mechanical energy is facilitated by wind turbines, whereby the output is directly correlated with wind velocity. Wind energy constitutes another renewable resource in Bangladesh, where mini and micro-wind generation sites are deemed appropriate for electricity generation.
Bangladesh has established ambitious targets to generate electricity amounting to 24,000, 40,000, and 60,000 MW by the years 2021, 2030, and 2041, respectively. The nation has encountered several challenges in meeting its previous targets; however, it has since experienced a resurgence in progress. It is anticipated that the expansion of renewable and sustainable energy could feasibly contribute to the goals of electricity production.