Amid growing concerns over energy security and industrial competitiveness, stakeholders at a joint focus group discussion organized by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM) called for immediate action on energy efficiency and conservation in Bangladesh’s industrial sector.
Held at the DCCI Auditorium, the discussion brought together leading voices from government, industry, and academia, who emphasized that improving energy efficiency is no longer optional but a strategic necessity to ensure uninterrupted production, economic growth, and global export competitiveness.
In his opening remarks, DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed stressed the need for a shift in mindset and behavior to promote energy efficiency across industries. Highlighting the pressure on the private sector due to unstable energy supply and geopolitical uncertainties, he called for regular energy audits in factories, deeper collaboration with academia for industry-specific research, and comprehensive industrial mapping.
Dr. Selim Raihan, Executive Director of SANEM, pointed out the absence of a dedicated government policy focused solely on energy efficiency, despite the existence of two major sectoral master plans. “We must examine whether existing plans are being implemented, what incentives are in place, and whether these are actually effective,” he said, while stressing the need to remove definitional ambiguities and achieve technological advancements.
SANEM also presented findings on current energy efficiency practices in the industrial sector, revealing that lack of standard measurement tools, unreliable energy supply, and outdated technologies continue to undermine overall efficiency.
Mohammad Wahid Hossain, Chairman of the Bangladesh Energy and Power Research Council (BEPRC), highlighted gaps in communication between government agencies and the private sector. He called on businesses to co-invest in energy R&D, suggesting that “saving one megawatt of power could be as effective as producing two megawatts.”
Asif Ibrahim, former DCCI President and Vice Chairman of New Age Group, noted the acute impact of energy shortages on SMEs and called for reducing import duties on energy-efficient machinery and renewable energy components. He pointed out that around 250 garment factories have already installed solar panels—showing the potential for broader industrial adoption of clean energy.
Government officials echoed the urgency. Md. Rafiqul Alam, Additional Secretary at the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, said the government is opening LNG import to the private sector and plans to explore 100 new gas wells by 2030. However, he cautioned that efficiency gains will only come if technology is embraced and compliance is improved.
Md. Jahidul Islam, Joint Secretary of the Power Division, noted that 27% of national energy consumption already comes from industry, and this will rise to 40% by 2050. “Energy efficiency is essential to meet rising demand and ensure equitable distribution,” he said, adding that the government plans to revisit the energy master plan.
Petrobangla GM Md. Imam Uddin Sheikh cited a 900 million cubic feet daily gas supply gap and urged industries to relocate to designated zones to improve distribution efficiency. BAPEX GM Engr. Mohammad Ahsanul Amin said their upcoming 100-well drilling initiative by 2030 aims to increase local gas production.
Industry leaders also called for reforms. Shamim Ahmed, President of the Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association, advocated for LNG import incentives and a long-term policy on local gas exploration. BKMEA Senior Vice President Mansoor Ahmed highlighted the urgent need for green financing and diversified energy sourcing.
BGMEA Senior Vice President Inamul Haq Khan warned that unreliable energy supply in industrial zones like Gazipur is driving up production costs and eroding export competitiveness. “Producing just 10% of energy through renewables could save 220 megawatts,” he said, but lamented the lack of duty benefits on renewable equipment imports.
DCCI Energy Convenor Engr. Nurul Aktar called for incentives on importing energy-efficient equipment and developing energy storage systems, while DCCI Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman and board members were also present at the discussion. The event concluded with a collective call for a comprehensive energy efficiency policy, duty benefits for energy-saving technologies, improved coordination between stakeholders, and immediate steps toward local energy exploration and sustainable consumption.