Bangladesh must turn its emerging energy roadmap into concrete investment and reforms to secure reliable supplies, contain production costs and sustain industrial growth, the International Chamber of Commerce-Bangladesh (ICCB) has said.
In an editorial published in its July–September 2026 News Bulletin, released on Wednesday, the business organisation said recent disruptions in global energy markets had exposed the risks of dependence on imported fuels, which can increase production costs, put pressure on foreign exchange reserves and undermine business confidence.
It said the government’s proposed energy roadmap offered an opportunity to reshape the sector around three priorities: energy security, affordability and sustainability.
Bangladesh has expanded its power generation infrastructure significantly over the past two decades. Total installed capacity, including captive and renewable generation, stood at 32,688 megawatts (MW) on 15 September 2026, while peak generation reached a record 17,201MW on 20 May.
However, the ICCB said installed capacity alone was not a reliable measure of energy security. Fuel availability, efficient transmission and distribution networks, financial sustainability and the ability to supply electricity when businesses need it were equally important.
The government’s Five-Year Strategic Framework for Reform and Development, covering 2026–2031, places greater emphasis on domestic gas exploration, renewable energy, grid modernisation, demand management and financial reform.
The framework also targets 10,000MW of solar capacity, with rooftop installations expected to play a growing role.
Domestic gas remains a priority
The ICCB identified domestic gas exploration as a key element of the strategy, arguing that Bangladesh should make fuller use of its own energy resources to reduce exposure to volatile international markets.
A programme to drill and rework 150 gas wells is under way, with a further 150 wells envisaged in a subsequent phase. By mid-September, 31 wells under the first programme had reportedly been drilled or worked over, adding an estimated 286 million cubic feet of gas a day.
The organisation said exploration should be accelerated, with Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) playing a stronger role alongside capable international partners.
At the same time, Bangladesh needs to diversify its external energy supplies. Volatility in liquefied natural gas (LNG) markets and disruptions to major shipping routes have highlighted the vulnerability of relying heavily on imported fuels.
The government plans to expand LNG receiving capacity through a 600 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) facility at Maheshkhali by 2028 and a 1,000mmcfd land-based terminal at Matarbari by 2030.
The ICCB said such infrastructure could improve supply resilience but cautioned that LNG should complement, rather than displace, domestic energy development and renewable power.
Solar expansion needs investment
Renewable energy is another major pillar of the proposed transition. The government aims to generate at least 20% of electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and 30% by 2040.
Achieving those targets will require more than setting capacity goals, the ICCB said. Bangladesh needs commercially viable projects, competitive procurement, access to land, stronger transmission infrastructure, energy storage, predictable regulation and long-term financing.
Rooftop solar installations on factories, commercial buildings and public facilities could provide an important route to expanding generation without placing additional pressure on scarce land.
For businesses, however, policy predictability remains critical. Energy-intensive industries need greater certainty over electricity and fuel supplies, tariffs and regulations before committing capital to long-term projects.
The ICCB called for transparent implementation schedules, competitive procurement, consistent regulation and stronger public-private partnerships to encourage investment.
It said Bangladesh could not resolve its energy challenges through gas, LNG or solar power alone. A balanced and diversified energy mix, supported by efficient infrastructure, regional electricity trade, energy efficiency and responsible private investment, would be essential.
The organisation said the roadmap had established a strategic direction, but its success would depend on implementation.